The Press Conference:
At a time when cynicism rules the roost, JANAAGRAHA, (The Life Force of the People) promises hope and, more importantly, collaborative change

Addressing a press conference at Hotel Harsha on 8th Dec. 2001, Ramesh Ramanathan, Member - Bangalore Agenda Task Force, Financial expert and JANAAGRAHA's key architect, explained how the movement could show the way. He underlined that JANAAGRAHA is a 'citizen-centric movement'. Its spirit is rooted in 'participative government'. JANAAGRAHA calls for citizens in Bangalore to join hands with their corporators to transform the face of Bangalore. He affirmed that JANAAGRAHA's approach is three pronged: collaborative, winnable and one that conforms to a 'single minded focus'.

JANAAGRAHA will work to meet its objective, over the next four months, by striving to ensure participative budget for ward works. As Ramanathan pointed out, "Citizen participation is being sought in only one item of the BMP Budget: The Ward Works Expenditures. This item relates to the local infrastructure maintenance of the roads, footpaths and drains in various neighbourhoods in each ward."

During this period, the JANAAGRAHA support team will help residents' associations in the city to generate specific outputs in the form of costed works for the improvement of the roads, footpaths and drains. This will provide the basis to ensure active engagement between Corporator and Resident, which, in turn, will shape the BMP Budget (2002-03).

In many ways JANAAGRAHA has already captured the imagination of the Bangalore public. Civic minded institutions like CIVIC, Swabhimana, Public Affairs Centre have pledged their active support. BATF has come on board as a partner.

JANAAGRAHA, in many ways, is THE road to a better life. All one has to do to come on board is join a citizen community (e.g. Resident Association) and spend just 3 hours in completing a specially designed Field Report.

Community Event on 9th Dec. 2001, where Vishnuvardhan, Actor, participated.
"Please participate in JANAAGRAHA and let's work together out of love for our city…. let's pledge our support to JANAAGRAHA." With these words, the doyen of Kannada Cinema, Vishnu Vardhan formally endorsed his commitment and participation in the movement. The celebrated film actor was addressing a packed community event, the first of a series, at the Jayanagar Civic and Cultural Association (JCCA) on Sunday, December 9, 20001.

Capturing the spirit of the movement Mr. Vardhan emphasized that the "government is within us, not separate."

Reiterating Vishnu Vardhan's call, Corporator, (Ward 62) Ms Shailaja said that the public must become conscious. She pointed out that she was a part of the new council and emphasized that 82 corporators were new. Consequently, it was time for the people to repose faith and work together. Ms Shailaja pointed out that it was critical to also address the issue in the Bangalore slums .

In his vote of thanks, JANAAGRAHA'S key architect and campaign coordinator, Ramesh Ramanathan emphasised that JANAAGRAHA's work encompassed the entire city and slums would play a key role. Its essence was inclusive and collaborative, and was not restricted to just another "middle class movement."

Earlier, Vishnu Vardhan demonstrated his commitment by filling out the field report for for 8th Main, 33rd Cross, Jayanagar. This is the same form that all resident associations in the city will complete.

Mr. Verdant affirmed that it was very easy to fill this form. "If someone like me can do it so can all of you." The event was attended by over 100 people and by more than eight resident associations belonging to different parts of Jayanagar and South Bangalore.

Mr. Chaska, Mr. Harsh and Dr Surender of the 5th Block organized the event Resident Association of Jayanagar and the Jayanagar Kannada Sangha.

Community Event attended by Dr. Devi Shetty on Wednesday 12th Dec. 2001.
Endorsing that he was a "Janaagrahi", noted cardiac surgeon, Dr Devi Shetty inaugurated Janaagraha's second community event at the Rajendra Nagar Slums in Koramangala. He said that the effort was an excellent vehicle to bring together the voice and needs of the people with the Bangalore Mahanagar Palike. Pledging his support to the movement he pointed out that it was "a small beginning" and urged participation from the entire community.

Corporator B Mohan (Ward Nos 67) who joined Dr Devi Shetty in the community event launch affirmed the spirit of Janaagraha when he urged the members of the slum community to articulate their needs and promised that these issues would be resolved soon.

Subsequently, Dr Devi Shetty walked across a part of the slum and filled the field report for that particular stretch. More than 150 residents of the area participated at the meeting.

Earlier in his address, Dr Kshitij of the Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA) who had organized the event pointed out that JANAAGRAHA provided a unique opportunity and platform for the people of the slums to address their needs "in a structured way."

The community event on Wednesday demonstrated Campaign Coordinator, Ramesh Ramanathan's emphasis that Janaagraha's " essence is inclusive and collaborative and not restricted to just another middle class movement."

The Community Event on 14th Dec. 2001 at the Police Parade Grounds
Chief Minister Shri. S.M. Krishna urged the Bangaloreans to participate in citizen-centric programmes and work towards making their city better. Inaugurating JANAAGRAHA's third community attended by many corporators, NGOs and residents associations, he stressed the need for participatory approach. He said that there was no point in just complaining. The smart solution would be to form a movement like JANAAGRAHA.

He added that contribution towards the city needn't only by way of paying property taxes. On the other hand professionals, experts and interested citizens should join hands to find collaborative mechanisms to identify problems and find a way out.

Information technology Minister Prof. B.K. Chandrasekhar asserted that JANAAGRAHA is a platform without any vested interest.

Campaign Coordinator Ramesh Ramanathan said that the JANAAGRAHA support team would work to meet its objective over the next four months. The team will help residents associations to document the state of roads, pavements and drains, and the data will be processed to provide exact costing for the repairs. In doing so, it will strive to build active engagement between Corporator and residents.