Centre for Human Rights and People’s Empowerment

SHAKTI is a charitable institution that works for the integrated development of the downtrodden communities here specifically with the Adivasis. It neither indulges in political nor religious activities. SHAKTI is located at Songadh, South Gujarat. The initial purpose and even now is empowerment of the Tribal community by organising and strengthening the Peoples’ Organization and supporting it to be self reliant in every aspect. One of the main activities of SHAKTI is legal awareness and help through out-of-the-court settlement, cultural awareness, Peoples’ Organization, and youth development. Right from the beginning till today SHAKTI has been working with the Adivasis of South Gujarat especially in the three districts of Surat, Tapi and Navsari. The working areas is spread over in total 8 talukas of more than 500 villages with around 35000 households on various programmes. SHAKTI with the aim of strengthening local governance and participation of Adivasi population effectively, has created awareness on various provisions under PESA Act (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) and on gramsabhas. Various programs and activities are carried out gearing towards the implementation of the ACT. With this awareness, participation of Adivasis has increased in gramsabhas and in panchayats. During the last 5 years we have worked with 185 school management committees, 86 vigilance committees, several forest rights committees of 175 villages to make them aware of their duties and responsibilities so that people get their entitlements, and the village institutions function effectively. The established Peoples organizations (POs) in their respective talukas are involved in monitoring proper implementation of PESA. They also take primary responsibility in creating awareness in all the villages on PESA. SHAKTI has the grassroot level workers and Mr. Ramesh Tadvi, himself an Adivasi is the director of the organization.