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Coolie Sanghas in Karnataka promote entrepreneurship and
community livelihood and welfare programmes
The death of a child in Bagepalli village because of the inability of his poor parents to pay for medical treatment resulted in an agitation by coolies and peasants against landlords in Kolar district, Karnataka.
The Agricultural Development and Training Society (ADATS) stepped in to help. ADATS was started in 1977 for small farmers, peasants and coolie families in this semi-arid, drought-prone region. It started to build up a taluka-level mass organisation of coolies and initiated entrepreneurship in coolie families.
ADATS helped to mobilise the coolies to form a Sangha of their own. Word spread and effective people's participation resulted in separate Coolie Sangha Units (CSUs) formed for men and women.!
CSUs are now functioning in 619 villages, covering 15,402 families in Bagepalli. ADATS has involved the CSUs in the Dry Land Development Project, covering 4,358 families in 133 villages. The Sanghas now function more or less independently and have started community health programmes. Women's meetings are conducted by Mahila Sanghas. The Sanghas are also organising programmes for children, which benefit 3,196 children. ADATS has a network and functioning in 26 districts in Karnataka.
Coolie Sangha assets include 78 community halls, which are a regular source of income for the people. Halls are given on rent for cultural, religious, recreational and other purposes. ADATS has also made provision for a 42-acre organic farm and five coconut farms to reduce the extent of poverty among the people.
Increased earnings have meant that migration during the dry season is no longer necessary. This in! turn has meant more security and smoother lives for the people here.
Contact: Agricultural Development and Training Society
ADATSS Campus
Bagepalli, Kolar district
Karnataka, India
Tel: 91-8150-782375, 782376, 782175
http://www.adats.com
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