Samalochana is organising a padayatra (march) urging people to stop consuming soft drinks and also mobilse peoples opinion against government accepting WTO norms in the wake of Hongkong conference in December2005.

The padayatra is held with the collaboration of APVVU(Andha Pradesh Vyavasaya Vruthidarula Union) which is working with the issues of agricultural labourers in Andhra Pradesh and Stolen Generation which is group of youth activists spread over different countries and working for sensitising people against soft drinks. Samalochana based in Anakapalle, is essentially mobilising students studying in rural colleges of Visakhapatnam and Vijayanagaram disrtcits of Andha Pradesh and sensitising them on issues of caste, communalism and issues relaed to ownership of resources and is been fighting against soft drinks for the last 5 years.

The 250km padayatra starting at CHodavaramcovers Anakapalle, Kasimkota, Makavarapalem, Butchayyapeta, Chodavaram, Rolugunta, Kottakota, V.Madugula, Narsipatnam, Parawada, Rambilli mandals;Gajuwaka,Madhurawada and Visakhapatnam.

This distance is to be covered in 8 days tentatively scheduled from 19th to 26th December. Numerous meetings and discussions will occur during this duration including satyagrahas at the two Coca Cola and Pepsi plants in Vishakapatnam.

The padayatra aims at creating awareness about the hazardous effects of soft drinks consumption, the issues related to water, raising critical issues of commmnity ownership of resources,issues related to farm subsidies and antipeople politics of MNCs. This is done in the context of WTO conference due to held in Hongkong in December and also latest agressive campaigns by Coca Cola citing it to be safe and also good for health targetting rural youth in Andhra Pradesh.

50 students studying in various rural colleges studying plus two and graduation and 10 nonstudents are expected to participate in the padayatra.

The padayatra will happen from 19th to 26th Dec and feel free to write to us for any more details.

For more information, please contact Chakradhar, Coordinator Samalochana& Padayatra 08924-225239 09866253060

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