Marching for a Better World: Proutists Join the Sixth World Social Forum in Caracas

By Dada Maheshvarananda
(Jan. 28, 2006 - PNA) - On Jan 24th, the first day of the Sixth World Social Forum in Caracas, thousands of activists marched from the Central Venezuelan University with the theme, "Another world is possible!"

Thirty Ananda Margiis and Proutists formed the most colorful and attractive group with the best music! Singing kiirtan continually, waving orange flags while they danced, they followed two wonderful clowns on stilts with orange flags. They carried four banners which said: "Cooperatives = Economic Democracy, Prout: A Vision for a New World", "The first revolution is the revolution of consciousness," The absence of universal spirit is the root of all problems – P.R. Sarkar," and "Struggle for social justice and meditate for peace." A slightly intoxicated older man did the whole march with us, playing some incredible bongo rhythms with our kiirtan for four hours.

Five thousand journalists are registered here at the WSF, and the majority were at the march, taking photos and filming. We gave dozens of interviews for both Venezuelan and international media. Events such as this one has tremendous potential for propagating the ideals of Prout and P.R. Sarkar. The more Proutists that can participate, the greater impact we can make.

The following day Didi Ananda Sadhana gave a terrific workshop on "Benevolent Communication" based on the book "Nonviolent Communication" to 48 enthusiastic participants. I gave a workshop on Prout to 35. Fifty joined in a spiritual dance workshop in the city park that taught kaoshikii, Tandava and kiirtan. Manujesh, Sarvajiit, and two Margii sisters (whose names I unfortunately don't recall) then gave an afternoon workshop on vegetarianism that concluded with stunning applause.

We have opened a vegetarian food stall that is selling a modest daily total of $350 of delicious meals to very satisfied customers.

Yesterday, my friend, General Raul Baduel, the head of the Venezuelan Army, gave a talk nearby. He explained the need for deepening military-civil ties, and why the military is doing so many service and infrastructure construction projects, but only when the local community people work alongside the soldiers. During his talk he quoted from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran, and read the lyrics of a sixties anti-war song by Tom Paxton, "What Did You Learn in School Today?" He explained his Taoist beliefs, and quoted from the Bible about the need to turn swords into ploughshares.

Then he movingly told what happened during the April 2002 coup. Due to his long friendship with President Hugo Chavez, unit commanders from around the country who supported democracy and were disgusted with the "self-coronation" of Pedro Carmona rallied around General Baduel. His greatest fear was that the captive president would be killed or taken out of the country. He was able to stop an American private plane from landing on the island where the president was captive, though the US Ambassador refused to identify the plane to him or explain its purpose. He successfully organized the rescue operation that brought the president back to the presidential palace.

General Baduel replied to criticisms published in the opposition newspapers about his bodyguards. He explained that he has a wife and small boy, and after the coup failed, his house was blown up, though luckily everyone was out at that moment. When he shared how two fellow officers had been killed, he broke down for a moment in tears.

He is a very humble and spiritual man. After the talk, he patiently responded to the hundred people clamoring for his autograph, a photo, a word. At the end, he accepted my invitation to visit our stall and have a delicious vegetarian lunch with his staff and us. [END]