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contd from page 24 Most of the social movements believe in first creating an organization and then starting to spread the ideas. According to Sharma, the ideas, not the organization, should reach the people first. In line with this thought, the books written by Dr. Sharma play a vital role. Very often the villagers read the books and then invite the Andolan to their areas. The idea of ‘gaonganaraaj’ (village Republic) and ‘hamaragaon, hamararaaj’ (Our Village, Our rule) is very appealing to the masses and captures their imagination. It encourages the people to want ownership of the resources and not merely a share. The movement coined the slogan ‘jal, jungleaurjamin’ (Water, Forest and Land). Once the village accepts the Andolan, a ‘shilalekh’ (rock inscription) is made at the entrance of the village, which proclaims ‘hamaragaon, hamararaaj’. Dr Sharma has been pursuing the Panchayat Acts since 1972. He suggested to the Ashok Mehta Committee that the gram sabha should be given the real powers, but this was not accepted. Later due to the pressure built by the movement the Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Act was amended. After the amendment the decisions of the Gram Sabha have become binding on the Gram Panchayat. Dr Sharma played a very significant role in the Panch ^X]