However,
operating on a shoestring budget has meant
that most of Manushi work is done as a labour
of love. We have neither been able to pay
writers nor editors, proofreaders, artists,
lawyers and others who contribute their time
to Manushi. We believe it is time to review
our policy and strategy with regard to Manushi’s
financial support base. While we have managed
to ensure a high degree of independence and
autonomy, the self imposed compulsion to work
on a very small budget has meant:
i |
Inability to invest in research and
investigations on a consistent basis
and inability to hire editorial and
other required staff to make it a regular
monthly magazine. |
ii |
Inability to enhance the outreach of Manushi
so that it stays small. |
We invite our readers to suggest innovative
ways of fundraising.
At any given point, the group of individuals
working regularly on Manushi have
had limited skills and resources at their
command. The fluctuating nature of voluntary
work means that these skills, too, are not
always available to us. However, what could
have been a liability has become something
of strength in that we have developed a habit
of drawing on the ideas, skills, experience,
and ability of anyone and everyone who happens
to be available at any given moment.
What
started as a desperate measure gradually became
a style of functioning in that we welcome
and actively seek the help of anyone who is
able and willing to contribute in any way
at all. This openness has won us friends in
surprising quarters. For example, soon after
Manushi’s special issue on
the 1984 massacre of the Sikhs, we were put
under special surveillance. One day, a young
man claiming to be an investigator for the
intelligence agency – RAW – came
to make enquiries. At the end of it, he offered
to be a part-time volunteer and also bring
his sister for the same. Instead of acting
suspiciously, on account of his belonging
to a Government intelligence agency, we welcomed
them both with an open mind. They remained
associated with us for several years.
Many
of the women today actively and consistently
helping with Manushi work have had
no previous political experience. When a woman
offers to work full time for Manushi,
our primary concern is not whether we agree
with her politics or not. Our criterion is
whether she is willing to put in regular work
and is honest and own to differences of opinion.
Even when total strangers walk in and express
the desire to help with Manushi work,
we usually lay out the range of work that
needs doing and let them choose for themselves
what they would like to help with.
Thus,
the energy of a wide range of people with
differing ideologies has, over the years,
contributed to Manushi’s survival
and growth. This includes, senior bureaucrats,
lawyers, police officials, scientists, students,
university, college and schoolteachers as
well as volunteers from foreign countries.
A steady stream of well-educated, highly skilled
volunteers from abroad, including young Non-Resident
Indian have proved to be most vital for Manushi’s
survival. They all come at their cost, bring
valuable skills and have worked with great
commitment. Their love and free labour helped
keep the running costs of Manushi
to the barest minimum.