Local groups across the world plan a candle light vigil in support of farmers in India and the agricultural crisis that is driving thousands to commit suicide.

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Peace Mumbai and Vidarbha Jan Aandolan Samiti (VJAS) will be organizing Candle light Vigil on 2nd October (Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi) at Marine Drive, Near Ambassador Hotel, Mumbai, at 7.00pm.

The candle light demonstartion will be held in around 200 cities and towns all over the world. The idea of the candle light vigil is to highlight the agrarian crisis and farmers' suicides taking place all over India in general and Vidarbha in particular. Gandhiji's first Satyagraha actons in India were in Champaran (Bihar) and Kheda (Gujarat). Britisher rulers were compelled to recognise agrarian crisis by the actions of Gandhi.

Widows from Kolzari village, Vidarbha, too will participate alongwith some cotton grower farmers. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was to go to Kolzari to meet widows on July 1, 2006 but failed to go.

Today we are in serious agrarian crisis. On and average daily four farmers are committing suicides in the "suicide zone" of Vidarbha. Much talked Prime Minister's package of Rs. 3,750/- crore could not prevent farmers' suicides. Rather than packages, we need to have an agriculture policy which can take care of agriculture sector.

In the USA, Association for India’s Development (a volunteer movement based in the US and India) across a range of cities like Washington, San Diego, Seattle and Austin. AID chapters in New Delhi and Kolkata are also joining other metros of India to small towns and rural areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and other states. The events will include rallies, street plays and candlelight vigils marked by readings of the names of farmers who have committed suicides in the recent past.

We ask you to join in with vigils with your local community. Send us pictures from your vigils or write to us.