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Assembly 2007 - BangaloreDay 4 - 17 NovemberDuring day four the Assembly participants listened to prophets
who called them to awaken the prophet within each of them. The
day opened with prayer led by the Sisters from Australia and with
the sharing of symbols from the Indian and Wagga Wagga communities. She reminded the participants that these people who are considered “marginalized” are at the centre of everything – they clean the latrines, do domestic work, keep factories going and have real knowledge about how to live life to the full. Their importance is not just ignored and they are not just neglected but they are exploited by the governments who act as agents for multicultural corporations instead of serving the people. Her words were challenging and contemplative. She urged the participants not just to listen but to live and to act! In the afternoon and evening, the participants went in groups of eight to experience the prophetic work of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in the Bangalore area. Fatima Rodrigo, Annmary Andrews, Margaret Power and Gladys Solomon had done a great deal of work to organise the field experience with NGO projects such as a Dream School for child laborers, street children, school dropouts and children of migrant laborers; the impact of tourism in India on women and children; and rural women’s self-help groups. Reflections by Participants: Lois Green, Newfoundland: “Today we moved
from our facilitated discussions to a ‘slice of life’ of
India. Medha Patkar, one of the most passionate voices for justice
that I have ever heard, called us to stand up and be counted in
a real human chain, not a symbolic one. She spoke with authority
of the evils of multi-nationalism and the erosion of democracy
and how we can be seduced by both. Deep inside us we heard the
voice of the voiceless! We also heard praise for Nano’s Daughters
in India. The challenge – ‘Watch how you present yourself,
Presentation women!’ This afternoon, we visited seven different sites in groups of eight. I heard from women who were survivors of horrendous marital situations and who were now helping others in similar situations. Donna Fernandez and Medhu Bhushan, their leaders in the Asian Women’s Human Rights Council, were as passionate as Medha. It was a difficult, challenging and gifted day. I am humbled before these women who are to Bangalore and India what Nano was to Cork.” Inez Fernandez, Union, working in Zambia: “The gathering ritual of the day brought memories of those Sisters who landed in Orlim, Goa, fifty years ago. I remember them by sending energies of love and appreciation. Another great lady visited us today, Medha Patkar, a true daughter of India. She left me astounded with what she said. Her life is a challenge; she’s a Nano of my day. Through her I hear various calls:
My field visit took me to meet two younger women of passion for our environment, working for environmental justice and support; standing and walking with those made poor, as they struggle with globalization and sustainability; doing advocacy, research and training to care for our environment; monitoring groups who deal with environmental issues; caring for our water sources and forests. As I reflect, I feel encouraged and empowered to find daughters of Nano in Bangalore city.”
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The participants were then privileged to have as a speaker for the morning, Medha
Patkar, activist and prophet. Medha tai (sister) as she is particularly known,
has been fighting for the right to life and livelihood for those people who get
nudged to the sidewalks of life in a nation’s search for growth and prosperity.
She spoke passionately to the Assembly of the dreams, stories, struggles, and
reconstructive work of the people “who have kept the world going and the
rivers flowing”. 
© International Presentation Association
