Porbandar, Gujarat
4th May 2008
Public Meeting at Subhashnagar, Porebandar
The Abhiyan Reached the Subhasnagar Fishermen colony on the outskirts of Porbandar at 9.30 AM. More than a thousand Hoori boat operators gathered in a public meeting presided over by Shri Babu Bhai Panjiri and moderated by Shri Manish Bhai Lodhari. The place wore a look of festivity decorated with Abhiyan banners, flags and festoons. THE Abhiyan team was given a traditional reception by the local community.
Addressing the public meeting all the leaders remembered the late Premji Bhai Kokari’s role in uniting the fishing community with great reverence and pledged to carry his mission forward to success.
The leaders expressed great agony at the horrible scene of mangroves submerged in polluted red water containing highly toxic chemicals on both sides of the road over an area of several thousand hectares. They urged upon the fishing community to raise their voice of protest this natural hatcheries of the fishes.
The congregation of emotionally charged fishers expressed their determination to fight for their rights and join the Delhi Abhiyan in July in big numbers. They walked down with the caravan to a distance to send it off to Mangrol.
Meeting and Press Meet at Boat Owners’ Association Office at Porbandar On its way to Mangrol the Abhiyan was received by Shree Porbandar Machhimar Boat Association at the fishing harbour of Porbandar. There was a brief interaction with the members and leaders of the association. They assured all cooperation for the Abhiyan and the Delhi march.
The Abhiyan leaders addressed a media conference before proceeding to Manglor.
4.00 PM
Meeting at Boat Association Office at Mangrol Bandar
The Abhiyan was received by the leaders and members of the Mangrol Boat Association and the Shree Mahavir Fishermen’s Cooperative Society.
An interactive discussion ensued on the purpose of the Abhiyan, the state of the fisheries and other pertinent issues. The issue of boats and fishermen stranded in Pakistan figured prominently. The Mangrol fishers expressed their full support to the Abhiyan charter of demand and assured their full cooperation in the programme. The Association promised to send at least 100 delegates to Delhi. Shree Ramji Bhai K. Gohil and Shree Babu Bhai Panjiri moderated the discussion.
7.30 PM
Meeting at Kharva Sanyukta Machhimar Boat Association & Shree Akhil Gujarat Machhimar Mahamandal, Veraval
A warm reception was accorded to the Abhiyan in Veraval. Intensive discussion on various issues related to the fisheries and fisherpeople took place under the leadership of Shri Kishan Bhai Varidum, President of both the associations mentioned above. The Veraval community decided to call a conference of Shree Akhil Gujarat Machhimar Mahamandal to work out the details of activities to be carried out by them for the success of the Abhiyan and the Delhi March. Kishan Bhai assured the participation of at least 200 fishers in the Delhi dharna from Veraval. In this context Shri Babu Bhai Panjiri, Manish Bhai, Dinesh Bhai, Ranchodh Bhai and other leaders of Porbandar declared that they will send at least 300 people to Delhi from Porbandar area. The meeting ended at 10.00 PM. And the Abhiyan proceeded to Ahmedabad.
