http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Dalit-girls-take-1st-step-towards-empowerment/articleshow/6966078.cms
Dalit girls take 1st step towards empowerment
TNN, Nov 22, 2010, 05.18am IST
AHMEDABAD: It was convocation with a difference. For, the 2,138 girls
who passed out of Dalit Shakti Kendra on Sunday beamed not just with a
sense of pride but the knowledge of power to fight the discrimination
when they go back to their villages. Decked in chaniya cholis and
traditional dresses, they sat through the last day of their
three-month vocational courses where they were awarded degrees and
also prizes for participating in numerous competitions held towards
the end of their courses.
"I never thought I could speak in public, forget speaking up for
myself. But after spending three months here, I am ready to earn a
living, take a stand for my family and fight for my rights," said
Dhaval, a student who won three awards, including those for reading
and diary writing.
The girls were awarded certificates in the presence of international
experts on minority rights. The chief guest, Mallika Sarabhai,
exhorted each girl to become a force unto herself and ensure that
nobody practises or suffers discrimination.
Founder of Dalit Shakti Kendra Martin Mcwan said his biggest
achievement has been to witness empowerment among girls after the
course completion. "They may be learning anything from tailoring to
beauty course, but what they also learn is to respect themselves, that
being a dalit does not make them inferior. In the next 10 years, there
will be more than 10,000 girls passing out of this institution."
Past students who have found their feet in the society also shared
their experiences. One of them Praveena Purabiya talked about how she
had learnt embroidery from her Muslim neighbours but could not get
work due to her caste.
Raji Siruka, who did her course in basic computers, now works with a
corporate in Mithapur as an operator. "I have learnt that one has to
make one's own place in society", said Siruka.
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