the long walk begins

So, the padyatra began yesterday. I walked with everyone for the afternoon yesterday, but turned back once we got out of Bhopal because I have to spend a couple of days finishing writing the factsheets for all the demands. I have a ton of work to do. I'm really excited, though. Yesterday was absolutely beautiful. Life here has been explosively intense for me.

I wish I could write more about things, but I've got too much to get done this morning. I will post some photos in a few hours. For now, here is the entry I just wrote for the first day of padyatra blog. That blog will be online at www.bhopal.net/march/ , I believe, but it has not been completely set up yet. I intend to post all the padyatra blog posts here, too, though. It will always be uploaded first and earliest to bhopal.net/march, though, so bookmark that page.

On Thursday or Friday I will find a bus that goes down the same road the group is walking down and hop out when I find them. I really can't wait to rejoin them. It's just an unbelievable group of people.

*********
Monday, 20 February 2006

Over 100 padyatris (marchers) gathered late this morning in front of
the abandoned Union Carbide factory to begin the long walk to Delhi.

Several gas and contamination affected parents brought a group of very
young children with birth defects and growth abnormalities to give the
padyatris their good wishes and to give the march energy and
inspiration for the long and difficult journey ahead. It was for
them, the children were told, that we are marching -- for their health
and their future.

The group began walking in the early afternoon, slowly moving down
several of Bhopal's most major thoroughfares before leaving the city.
Local and national media conducted many interviews and shot a lot of
footage. Police presence was high but non-threatening.

All the padyatris were extremely spirited and energetic. "Larenge!
Jeetenge!" the crowd shouted again and again -- "we will fight! we
will prevail!"

Several padyatris are currently ill, many are very old, most have
little with them but a pair of sandals and a few clothes, and every
one of them is embarking on the long walk at great personal risk and
sacrifice. The energy and excitement, however, was palpable. As soon
as we got out of the city we sat down by the side of the road and ate
some food that had been prepared this morning. Garlands of flowers
were passed around and everyone cheered. It was a happy, hopeful
moment at the beginning of a very hopeful journey.

*******************
addendum:
Everyone slept out under the open sky last night, at a school in
Gandhi Nagar, about 10 kilometers away from Bhopal. The group woke up
at about 4 a.m. to get a head start on the day and beat the sun, and
local people cooked breakfast for everyone. Today's walk will be much
longer -- it is 30 kilometers to Duraha, the next town on the route of
the padyatra.