Lalita Ramdas
Lalita fasted for a day during a recent meeting in Amsterdam - and plans to fast in solidarity on the 7 December, 12 December and will also join all those fasting for the special day of reflection on the 17 December.
"I live in a small village near Alibag on the west coast of India. The shift to rural India where over seventy percent of our people still live, grow food under often trying circumstances, was like a wake up call in many ways.
I have worked in Education, peace and gender concerns within a human rights framework, and was also part of the founding board that brought Greenpeace to India. I am currently Board Chair of Greenpeace International.
I am nearly seventy - feel strongly that we in this country made terrible mistakes when we chose not to follow Gandhi's advice on sustainability and self reliance - and hope that one can continue to support the efforts of the many many people like yourselves who are demonstrating your commitment and raising voices for change, in extraordinary ways.
In addition to my own need to play a meaningful role along with so many of you - I wanted to persuade friends and colleagues to explore their own moral and ethical questions and dilemmas with the concept of a fast and what it proves or achieves. Above all it is an action of solidarity and I believe that all of these actions collectively do have the power to change and influence. IF NOT US THEN WHO - IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN - its utter simplicity and power is SHAKTI in essence!"
