The Annual Conference of Association for India's Development(AID) got under way at the AID Rural Technology Resource Center today with sessions on Education and Agriculture, Mr.Debasish Padhi, District reporter of 'SAMBAD' inaugurated the conference by lighting the lamp in presence of almost hundred delegates from all over the country. AID Chapters of Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Srikakulum, Kakinada, BITS, Pilani etc. were represented.
In the first session on Education, a detailed presentation was made by AID Chennai chapter led by Dr.Balaji Sampath, AID Jeevansaathi on their work as part of the READ INDIA program in partnership with PRATHAM. AID is working in almost 10000 schools to improve the education standards of the children; AID Chennai has published low cost and high quality Teaching Learning Material as part of their Eureka Child program.

In the second session, AID Chapters of Orissa, AP, Delhi, Hyderabad, Nellore and Srikakulum presented their work on Education. AID Orissa's work as part of the READ ORISSA program was appreciated by one and all for the story festival conducted in partnership with SAMBAD. In the session on Agriculture, the candle light vigil conducted by AID all over the world on 2nd October was discussed and follow up plans on action to be taken on this issue were formulated. In a parallel session Mr.Anand More of Eco Farms Pvt. Ltd. gave training to formers from Srikakulum and Gajapati on Organic farming.
 
In the evening cultural programs were staged by children of Paralakhemundi. In second day the first session of the day was on AID's internal issues, with discussion on AID's various focus areas. The role of AID in the several peoples' movements all over India in the past and the future was also discussed. Various projects undertaken by AID chapters all over India were broadly analyzed. The session was moderated by Ravi Kuchimanchi, AID jeevansathi and also one of the founders of AID. Also, in parallel, the session on Organic Farming was in progress outside with the farmers from Srikakulam and nearby area of ARTRC.
 
The second session was a talk by Ajay Kumar, one of the leaders of Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Vrithidharalu Union ( Agriculture Workers' Union ). He explained the state machinery and talked elaborately on how the poor people, the dalits, adivasis, women are oppressed and how the rich always tend to benefit – and how this trend continues decade after decade. He reminded us that though he worked for nearly 15 years but still a lot needs to be done particularly in the light of current land and agriculture related problems going on in Orissa,  West Bengal, Maharastra.
 
The session following lunch was a very interesting one. Eco-friendliness being the theme of this year's conference the arrangements were not only made eco-friendly but the attendees also got some hands-on experience on making a 'hay-box' which serves as an insulated box easily made using natural materials. Peter Bakos, AID Saathi showed how to cook rice using very less fuel using the hay box. Participants even tasted the rice cooked this way! This method has actually been tried out in some rural houses in Andhra Pradesh and it has been very well received by the people.
 
The conference resumed after lunch with talks by AID  Saathis Madhulika and Kamayani on their work in rural areas with other organizations. Madhulika worked in Rajasthan for minimum wages of laborers and she described the various experiences while interacting with the government on behalf of laborers. Kamayanitalked about the social audit of NREGA which she had participated in Rajasthan. She also described the activities with an NGO she was currently working with.
 
The rest of the remaining day was spent in a tour of the nearby Jagannath Institute of Technology and Management (JITM) campus, after which the discussions on AID's stand on India's agrarian crisis were resumed. The day ended with social resistance songs sung by members of AID and Khoj foundation, a Delhi-based NGO.
 
The third day of the conference was spent in discussion of rural marketing issues of corruption,  NREGA, RTI etc. The conference concluded at lunch time with every one appreciating the efforts of AID Orissa in organizing the three day national conference, the highlight being the practice of eco-friendly life promoted by AID.
 
Dhanada K. Mishra, AID Rural Technology Resource Center (ARTRC) Near Village Ranadvei, Via Uppalda Paralakhemundi, Gajapati Orissa 761211 INDIAPh. 9437513080Email - dhanadam@gmail.com; dhanadam@yahoo.com