AHMEDNAGAR: 21st May 2005 --  Known as the Maharashtra Social Forum, and based on the successful World Social Forum held in Mumbai, January 2004, the three day event kicked off yesterday.  Fr Lloyd Rodrgues, a Salesian, is the treasurer for the Forum.

    In his letter inviting NGOs to register for the Forum indicates that the MSF has similar aims for the huge State of Maharashtra (Mumbai's home State) as did the World Social Forum, namely to draw the attention of political leaders, policy makers, social scientists, leaders of nations, media to highlight social causes.

    The majority of NGOs taking part in the MHS work in remote rural and tribal areas.  Ahmednagar (often shortened to just Nagar) is itself a primarily agricultural area about 117 kms from Pune.  The Salesian presence in this relatively small city by Indian standards has been highly significant.  Fr Lloyd Rodrigues is the Rector.  Br Alex Gonsalves directs BGVK or Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, an NGO which has been carrying out rural development in the district since 1988.  Br Alex has been the recipient of a number of awards for his practical research especially with goats and poultry, and for social comment.  BGVK has also encouraged the setting up of a vocational centre which has become an attractive venue for workers throughout India.

    The MSF involves over 500 similar NGOs.  Fr Lloyd describes it as a 'mega event' which has some 10,000 development workers, social activists and NGO representatives participating.  It is also expected to attract 50,000 people from Ahmednagar and surrounding areas.