Addressing a press conference today, the founder president of Bundelkhand Ekikaran Samiti and former MP Pandit Vishwanath Sharma said that they will continue to struggle till its logical end.

He said that the biggest causes of the plight of Bundelkhand were - exploitation of its natural resources by dividing this large territory between the two provinces, its cultural heritage and identity have been disintegrated through politically dividing the people into two parts to make them helpless and disabled; exploitation and gross neglect by the political establishments at Lucknow and Bhopal in general and New Delhi in particular, and intentionally not developing the area.

Mr Sharma said that the pathetic state of Bundelkhand could be cured through the only option left that is to make it a separate state.

It should be done by carving out the districts of Uttar Pradesh - Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Chitrakoot and the bordering areas in Madhya Pradesh - Datia, Shivpuri, Guna, Sagar, Damoh, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and Panna districts, he said.

'We have been demanding a separate state of Bundelkhand right from inception of Bundelkhand Ekikaran Samiti in 1970, however, the Central and the two state governments neither have taken proper steps in this direction, nor the plight of Bundelkhand has been removed. The Committee, therefore, has decided to make the movement stronger and faster to realize the dream of a Separate Bundelkhand State, He said.

Giving details of the movement he said, 'so far, our public awareness programme has attracted about 80 thousand people to have its membership by depositing a fee and pledging for actively participating in the movement. They are now, whole heartedly, taking active role in the movement. Visits, rallies, meetings and demonstrations are being organized in all the areas of Bundelkhand.'

This movement is being run not only taking political aspirations in account but also social concerns of the people of the area. Under this strategy the Samiti has planned to help people and already executing them which included health camps and scholarships to students. Social institutions are also involved. Over 50 lakhs rupees will be spent this year (in 2009) on academic support. Other social programmes to promote the people's welfare have also been planned.

To make the movement stronger, district, tehsil, development block, panchayat and village level committees are being formed.

This innovative movement for a separate State of Bundelkhand will continue until 'we realize the dream, even if we need to sacrifice whatsoever' he said.#