12 Nov ONE BILLION RISING INDIA 2021 LAUNCHES WITH RISING GARDENS from Jagori Grameen/ OBR India Secretariat
On 7th November 2020, The India Chapter of One Billion Rising was launched virtually.
Over 60 participants and organisation representatives joined from across the nation and neighbouring countries.
V (formerly Eve Ensler) Founder of One Billion Rising Campaign and V Day, award winning playwright and author explained the origin of this year’s theme, ‘Rising Gardens’ and why it matters.
Abha Bhaiya, Founder, Jagori Grameen and National Coordinator for OBR discussed the idea behind why OBR started and how the past years’ themes have played out in relevance to the Indian context.
We also took a deep dive into V’s reclamation of her name after writing ‘The Apology’.
Attendees from different collectives shared their ideas for the year and how they wish to interpret the theme as a response to their respectives challenges and aspirations.
Kokila, Asst OBR Coordinator expressed the hope that this campaign become symbolic of the resilience and solidarity we are carrying for the womxn workers across India.
Kamla Bhasin and Shabnam Hashmi stressed on the need for a political rising in the light of India’s conflict with democratic values.
It was agreed that patriarchal fascist politics has been detrimental for womxn and other minorities and capitalism has brought on environmental devastation and human rights violations.
Fighting back for climate justice, peace and secular values is not optional anymore if we do wish to see change.
V concluded with her powerful poem, ‘Sisters awaken’.
We call out to all collectives, organisations, individuals, artists, healers and gardeners to join us in this Rising in whatever capacity they can.
