Alok Agarwal

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Alok Agarwal
Alok Agarwal Wikipedia Image.jpg
Born (1967-08-25) 25 August 1967 (age 55)
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Alma mater Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (BTech)
OccupationSocial service
Years active1989 - present
Known forState-wide agitation for the rights of farmers and Jal Satyagraha in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh 2015 Jal Satyagrah
Notable workSafeguarding future of oustees of the Narmada Valley Dam Project
StyleSatyagrah, non-violence, civil disobedience

Alok Agarwal (born 25 August 1967) is an Indian social activist and political leader associated with the Aam Admi Party (AAP). [1] The State Convener of Aam Admi Party Madhya Pradesh, [2] Alok is also a member of National Executive Committee. [3] In 1990, Alok joined the Narmada Bachao Andolan, [4] and for the last three decades, has been a key activist in building up this social movement and struggle of tribals, farmers, environmentalists, and human rights workers against the construction of big dams being built across the Narmada river in Central India. and for securing the rights and improved rehabilitation for the millions of farmers and tribals displaced by these dams. Since January 2014, he is also a member of the Aam Aadmi Party of India and contested [5] the Lok Sabha 2014 polls from Khandwa Parliamentary Constituency in Madhya Pradesh .

Contents

Early life and education

Alok Agarwal was born on 25 August 1967. He is the son of a retired government veterinary doctor. Due to his father's transferable posting in the early days, Alok's schooling and upbringing was spread at many different places. In 1989, he received his Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Alok resides in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.

Social work

Narmada Bachao Andolan

In 2012, in response to a 17-day Jal Satyagraha by Alok and his colleagues, the government kept the level of the Omkareshwar Dam to 189 meters [6] [7]

In September 2013, Alok's team of Narmada Bachao Andolan led another Jal Satyagraha in three districts of Madhya Pradesh – Khandwa, Dewas and Harda, to press their demands of maintaining the height of the Indirasagar to 260 meters. [6] [8] [9] In April 2015, another Jal Satyagraha began in Khandwa district.

Alok Agarwaol has also been an activist against the privatization of water and electricity. In 2003, his Narmada Bachao Andolan team took a lead role in a statewide "Bijli Bachao-Azadi Bachao" movement [10] organized by Jan Sangharsh Morcha (a federation of several social movements of Madhya Pradesh) against the privatization and rise of electricity tariffs. Similarly, the organizations working against the privatization of water have also been receiving active support from Alok. Considering the need for a common front to respond to the multiple kinds of problems faced by the farmers, tribals and workers of the region, Alok's team helped form the "Nimar - Malwa Kisan Mazdoor" organization. [11]

Alok has also led water harvesting projects to ensure the availability of water in the tribal areas. Along with his co-workers Alok Agarwal spent a month in the rehabilitation and relief work after the Gujarat earthquake.

Political career

Alok Agarwaol during Parivartan rally in Bhopal 20 December 2016 Alok Agawal2.jpg
Alok Agarwaol during Parivartan rally in Bhopal 20 December 2016

In January 2014, Alok Agarwal joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In 2014 he contested Loksabha election from Khandwa Loksabha Constituency. During Loksabha elections he was the convener of Aam Aadmi Party Madhya Pradesh Campaign Committee. Presently, he is national spokesperson of Aam Aadmi Party and Convenor of Aam Aadmi Party, Madhya Pradesh.

On 15 July 2018 Arvind Kejriwal announced Alok Agarwal as Chief Minister face from Aam Aadmi Party for upcoming Vidhansabha Election.

He fought 2018 Madhya Pradesh from elections from Bhopal Dakshin Pashim vidhansabha.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narmada River</span> River of central India in a rift valley

The Narmada River, also called the Reva and previously also known as Narbada or anglicised as Nerbudda, is the 5th longest river and overall longest west-flowing river in India. It is also the largest flowing river in the state of Madhya Pradesh. This river flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in India. It is also known as the "Life Line of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat" due to its huge contribution to the two states in many ways. The Narmada River rises from the Amarkantak Plateau in Anuppur district Madhya Pradesh. It forms the traditional boundary between North India and South India and flows westwards over a length of 1,312 km (815.2 mi) before draining through the Gulf of Khambhat into the Arabian Sea, 30 km (18.6 mi) west of Bharuch city of Gujarat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sardar Sarovar Dam</span> Dam in Gujarat, India

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Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is an Indian social movement spearheaded by native tribals (adivasis), farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against a number of large dam projects across the Narmada River, which flows through the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement. It is part of the Narmada Dam Project, whose main aim is to provide irrigation and electricity to people of the above states.

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References

  1. ↑ "Aam Aadmi Party". Aam Aadmi Party. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Home - Official Website of AAP Madhya Pradesh". Official Website of AAP Madhya Pradesh. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Alok Agarwal". Aam Aadmi Party. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "NBA PRESS RELEASE: 5 November". www.narmada.org. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  5. ↑ JOHNSTON, R.; PATTIE, C.; ROSSITER, D.; DORLING, D.; TUNSTALL, H.; MACCALLISTER, I. (1 April 1998). "Anatomy of Labour Landslide: The Constituency System and the 1997 General Election". Parliamentary Affairs. 51 (2): 131–148. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.pa.a028780. ISSN   0031-2290.
  6. 1 2 "NBA's jal satyagraha in Indira Sagar from Sept. 1". The Hindu . 29 August 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Alok Agarwaol: Villagers decided to protest sitting in the dam waters". The Times of India . 14 September 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Dogra, Bharat (15 September 2013). "The water warriors". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "Huge Rally of Narmada Dam Oustees in Bhopal: Jeevan Adhikar Satyagraha and Upwaas begins with Demand for Rehabilitation and Resettlement". Kafila. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  10. ↑ Palit, Chittaroopa; Verma (15 November 2002). ""Bijli Bachao - Azadi Bachao yatra" organized by Jan Sangarsh Morcha begins in Indore today; MPSEB must withdraw petition: People will struggle until government concedes". Friends of River Narmada. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Refugees of DEVELOPMENT and DE RESERVATION". India Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
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