On the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, 3000 people gathered at campuses, parks, grocery stores and Gandhi’s statues in 50 locations around the world to light candles and reflect upon the continued crisis facing Indian farmers, whose rising suicide toll took years to catch the notice of the Indian government. Journalist P. Sainath notes, “The tragic farmers' suicides are, finally, an extreme symptom of a much deeper rural distress. It’s the result of a decade-long onslaught on the livelihoods of millions. The crisis now goes way beyond the families ravaged by the suicides.”

From Seattle to Baton Rouge, Chandigarh to Cuddalore, students, working folk, academics and elders read aloud names of farmers who died, raised voices against unjust policies, reflected on causes and solutions. People went home questioning their personal food choices. Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, Bhumi, Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Bharat Uday Mission, and Youth for Social Change joined AID India in holding vigils coupled with rallies, marches, slogans and street plays. Agriculture experts Devinder Sharma and Kishor Tiwari spoke about current campaign strategies. A senior citizen in Chennai told AID volunteers, “I didn't realize the magnitude of the problem until I heard you today.”

In Delhi, AID plans to follow up with policy makers on the demands outlined in the letter to the Prime Minister. Joining with NGOs, grassroots activist, and farmers’ groups, AID promotes agriculture practices that sustain land, livelihoods, and food security for all.

Pallavi Shrivastava, an architect, is part of AID Agriculture Cell