| About LAND FOR TILLERS' FREEDOM LAFTI (Land For Tillers' Freedom) is based on the Gandhian idea of equitable land distribution as a basis for rural economic development. It is based in Khutur village in East Thanjavur, with operations in Thiruvarur, Nagai and Dindigul Districts, Tamil Nadu. LAFTI was founded by Krishnammal and her husband Jegannathan in 1981. It has its roots in Bhoodan (the Land Gift) Movement, created by Acharya Vinoba Bave, the spiritual heir of Gandhi and "the first Sathyagrahi", who for almost 20 years, advocated the concept of Gramdan (the Village Community ownership); it involves landowners voluntarily surrendering their land for community ownership by Grama Sabha (Village Community). The significance of this non-violent land revolution is still to be recognised but Bhoodan and LAFTI movements have been instrumental in distributing 10,000 acres of land to 10,000 landless poor families, through non-violent campaigns for the purchase of land for a reasonable price, or the lease of temple or trust land for cultivation by the village community. LAFTI is committed to raising the social status and acceptability of the Lalit Caste, so called "the untouchables". It has negotiated with the government for land subsidies, and with the banks for reduced interest loans for the purchase of land. LAFTI's housing scheme was created during the drought period of 1986-87, initially as a means of providing alternative employment. Brick and tile making industry was set up in 10 centers, and later with government subsidies, single room tenements were built with the bricks to replace the crumbling straw huts. It has created Women's Rights groups and Youth Forums in many villages. LAFTI's activities are wide ranging and include the following: Promotion of literacy: LAFTI supports children's school education by running three weekly boarding hostels for 300 boys and girls who come from villages across the districts. The children's education is supported by a fostering scheme in collaboration with "Operazione Futuro Di Speranza" a non-governmental organisation based in Italy. Training workshops: LAFTI provides further education and employment by running training workshops for those completing their secondary school education. They include Sari, and Mat weaving, Electricity and Plumbing, Agriculture and Farming, and IT. The graduates are supported in gaining employment, including participation in LAFTI's housing construction schemes. Weatherproof housing constructions: LAFTI regards it degrading to live in mud and straw huts, with no sanitation or protection from heavy rain, and is committed to building 10,000 houses in its areas of operation. The villagers produce the bricks, offer their labour and are asked to contribute financially to the housing construction. So far LAFTI has built 2000 houses through government schemes in Thiruvarur and Nagai Districts. Campaign against the spread of prawn farming: LAFTI is concerned about the spread of prawn farming in coastal areas. The flooding of land with sea water to create prawn farms leads to the erosion of fertile land, the loss of rice fields as a source of production of essential food, employment and local wealth. It has taken the case to the Supreme Court, and has organised rallies against the spread of prawn farming. |
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