The Akhil Bhartiya Samaj Sewa Sansthan (ABSSS) was set up by a group of like-minded individuals under the leadership of Gaya Prasad Gopal.

In the early-'70s, the rocky 'Patha' sector in Bundelkhand was recognised as a neglected region in southern Uttar Pradesh. The inhabitants here were mainly adivasis, Kol tribals and dalits.

Registered on March 23, 1978 as a voluntary organisation, the ABSSS's purpose is 'anth ka uday' -- empowerment of the most marginalised -- which implies structuring a society where people from the lower classes get equal opportunities (social, economic, cultural and educational) in order to live and work with dignity.

The ABSSS believes in rachna (creation) and sangharsh (struggle). That is why the strategies adopted so far include awareness-generation, organising greater access to available resources, empowering women and advocating issues that directly affect lives. This includes building self-esteem and confidence and re-asserting adivasi and dalit identities.

The ABSSS's projects aim to:

• Influence policy decisions and advocacy
• Manage natural resources
• Educate and generate awareness
• Empower women and promote healthcare
• Build capacities and organise communities
  

The Bundelkhand region faces acute water scarcity. As a result, only one-fourth of arable land is under irrigation compared to the state average of 57%.

The physical attributes of the region contribute to the hardships faced by poor and disadvantaged groups. With low and erratic agricultural productivity and the absence of alternative employment opportunities, a large proportion of the population works as unskilled labour for extremely low wages.

The largest land holdings belong to the influential castes, while the scheduled castes and adivasis form the bulk of the landless and marginal farmers. Forced to work in adverse situations, the latter have incurred debilitating debts in order to survive. More than 50% of the people from backward classes and tribal communities have been forced to migrate to cities.

It follows then that women find themselves on the lowest rung of the socio-economic ladder, their problems compounded by the near absence of healthcare facilities and alternative means of revenue generation.

The project addresses specific issues including:

• Land distribution reforms and tenant rights
• Labour practices, child labour, conditions of mine and quarry workers and social security schemes
• Human rights, including caste and gender discrimination, violence and exploitation
• Tribal status, identity and rights
• Right to information

The intervention process includes sensitising the judiciary, legislature, media and government to the region's problems, and initiating positive action through legal advocacy, public hearings, rights campaigns, state-level awareness workshops, media advocacy and networking with civil society organisations.

Capacity-building has been given priority considering that elections to panchayati raj institutions are due in 2004-2005 -- this would be an ideal opportunity for marginalised communities to actively participate and exercise their democratic rights.