India Social Forum begins today

The five-day India Social Forum, the national chapter of the World Social Forum, will begin tomorrow, two years after the World Social Forum held in Mumbai in 2004.

The event will begin under the shadow of accusations WSF 2004 invited for having been coopted by forces of globalisation it seeks to fight. The Mumbai meet had even witnessed a parallel event, called Mumbai Resistance.

Prabir Purkayastha of WSF, however, said that he did not foresee any criticism for the coming event. As for the Mumbai event, he said, "We never said that WSF was offering any kind of alternative. It is merely a platform for activists and civil groups to come and express their views." He said the ISF expected 50,000 participants, including NGOs and cultural groups, from all over the country.

"It is a good opportunity to present our views on various issues including poverty and development, especially in the run-up to the 11th Five Year Plan," NGO UPVAN's activists said.

"We bear just 10 per cent (around Rs 2 crore) of the total cost of the event. Who ever comes pays for his travel and stay. We just provide the venue, the sound system and pandals, besides organising food stalls," Purkayastha said. Action Aid, Oxfam, Norbib and Hivoa will also fund the event.