K. Victoria

Work area : Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh

Victoria is vibrant leader, working towards the right of vulnerable groups – dalits, adivasis, fisherfolk, women, children and agricultural labour in coastal and upland area of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh.The Navjeevan associated with SRUTI around 2002. With its initiatives to work towards a peaceful democratic movement to champion the rights of vulnerable groups – dalits, adivasis, fisherfolk, women, children and agricultural labour in coastal and upland area of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. Navjeevan is also involved in disaster relief & rehabilitation efforts in the cyclone-prone Nellore district. They played a major role in rehabilitation of fishworkers and Yanadi families after the 2004 tsunami.

One of the core strategies of the sangathan has been in being able to unite landless groups to identify wasteland for distribution and eventually cultivation, ensuring lasting food security, livelihood and better health standards. On witnessing the sangathan’s steady progress, feudal power structures came down heavily on their group and several false cases were slapped on sangathan members.

The sangathan has so far managed to facilitate distribution of over 4000 acres and has been focusing on making the land arable through the state’s Comprehensive Land Development Programme as well as MGNREGA. Navjeevan is also involved in disaster relief & rehabilitation efforts in the cyclone-prone Nellore district. They played a major role in rehabilitation of fishworkers and Yanadi families after the 2004 tsunami.

Presently, the sangathan is active in 187 villages of 5 mandals. Out of these about 45% are ST villages and 25% are predominantly SC villages. Remaining 30% constitute various Backward Castes and other minority groups. With its efforts over effective governance and agricultural issues; the organization has been able in successful implementation of governance schemes and programs in Nellore where gram sabhas have been almost dysfunctional.