Tuesday, November 9, 2010

[ZESTCaste] Dalits get their wish as Obama evokes story of their hero

 

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/11/dalits-get-their-wish-as-obama.html

Dalits get their wish as Obama evokes story of their hero
By Emily Wax

New Delhi -- President Obama has spent his three-day India trip
praising Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation. During his
speech at India's parliament Monday, Obama had more accolades saying,
"I am mindful that I might not be standing before you today, as
President of the United States, had it not been for Gandhi."

But for weeks, India's lowest caste community has been lobbying for
Obama to evoke another hero of India's human rights movement: B. R.
Ambedkar, who hails from India's Dalit caste once known as
untouchables. Ambedkar was born in abject poverty but earned a
scholarship to study at Columbia University and rose to write India's
constitution. He is a hero for India's poorest residents and is a
symbol that they too can be lifted out of poverty. Dalits number 200
million out of India's 1.2 billion population.

Dalit business leaders wrote letters to the U.S. embassy, asking them
to include Ambedkar in the president's speeches. On the third and
final day of his trip, Obama granted their request.

"We believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, every
person can fulfill their God-given potential, just as a Dalit like Dr.
Ambedkar could lift himself up and pen the words of the constitution
that protects the rights of all Indians," Obama said in his address to
parliament. "We believe that no matter where you live--whether a
village in Punjab or the bylanes of Chandni Chowk...an old section of
Kolkata or a new high-rise in Bangalore--every person deserves the
same chance to live in security and dignity, to get an education, to
find work, and to give their children a better future."

Chandra Bhan Prasad, a Dalit author and activist, said Obama's words
would be long remembered. Although Dalits have benefited from
affirmative action programs they continue to face violence and
discrimination, especially in rural India.

"It's wonderful, because by referring to the term Dalit and Dr.
Ambedkar Obama has given us recognition," Prasad said. "In essence,
Obama has expressed solidarity with India's social underclass. Now the
question is is the government of India listening-- are they willing to
bring Dalits along within its splendid growth story."

By Emily Wax | November 8, 2010; 8:33 AM ET
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency

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[ZESTCaste] Fwd: Invitation: Culmination of Samajin Parivartan Yatra [1 Attachment]

 
[Attachment(s) from Siddhartha Kumar included below]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ska <action2010@ska.org.in>
Date: 30 October 2010 20:11
Subject: Invitation: Culmination of Samajin Parivartan Yatra
To:

SAFAI KARAMCHARI ANDOLAN
PRESS INVITATION

Subject: Culmination of national effort to eradicate manual
scavenging, Delhi, 31 October and 1 November

After travelling through 172 districts in 20 states, the five buses of
the Samajik Parivartan yatra are reaching Delhi on Sunday, 31 October.
Around 250 safai karamcharis, who have been liberated from the
scourge of manual scavenging, through the efforts of the Safai
Karamchari Andolan, will be welcomed in Delhi.

You are cordially invited to be part of the event.

RECEPTION OF BUS YATRIS
Date: 31 October 2010
Venue: Viswa Yuvak Kendra, Chanakyapuri (opposite Chankyapuri Police
Station), Delhi
Time: 4 to 7 pm

PUBLIC MEETING
Date: 1 November 2010
Venue: Mavlankar Hall, Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi
Time: 11 am to 2 pm

Please find the programme schedule attached

RSVP
Bezwada Wilson
National Convenor
Safai Karmchari Andolan,
36 / 13 Ground Floor, East Patel Nagar
New Delhi - 110 008
Mob - 09311234793 , Ph-01125863166

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Attachment(s) from Siddhartha Kumar

1 of 1 File(s)

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[ZESTCaste] Prithviraj, Vasnik, Thorat in fray for Maha CM's post

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Prithviraj-Vasnik-Thorat-in-fray-for-Maha-CM-s-post/Article1-623841.aspx

Prithviraj, Vasnik, Thorat in fray for Maha CM's post

Press Trust Of India
Mumbai, November 09, 2010First Published: 13:24 IST(9/11/2010)

Following Maharashtra Chief Minister, Ashok Chavan's submission of
resignation to the Governor on Tuesday , speculations are rife over
his successor. Names of Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Balasaheb
Thorat, Union Ministers Prithviraj Chavan and Mukul Vasnik as well as
Vilasrao Deshmukh related stories
Acceptance of resignation does not prove guilt: Chavan
are in the reckoning, Congress sources said.

In case the high command vetoes Vilasrao's candidature as his name
also figured in the scam, he is all set to back Thorat, who enjoys a
clean image in the state politics, sources said.

Thorat has been an MLA since 1985, a cabinet minister for last 11
years, a staunch loyalist of Congress and Gandhi family and a leading
figure in state co-operative movement.

Vasnik, senior Congress leader from Vidarbha region, has credentials
of being a Gandhi family loyalist and confidante, a Dalit, and also an
organisation man with a clean image, they said.

Congress observers including A K Antony will be reaching Mumbai in the
afternoon and will meet party legislators to gauge their opinions on
the new CLP leader.

Names of Prithviraj Chavan, known as a staunch opponent of NCP chief
Sharad Pawar in western Maharashtra, and Union Minister Sushilkumar
Shinde who is a Dalit, are also being discussed.

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[ZESTCaste] DC Takes Stock of Atrocities against SC/ST and Action

 

http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=206559

Mangalore: DC Takes Stock of Atrocities against SC/ST and Action

By Violet Pereira, Team Mangalorean

Mangalore, Nov 8: The district-level social welfare and development
committee held a press conference in the DC office hall on Monday,
November 8 morning with the deputy commissioner addressing on the
crime rate on SC and ST in urban areas.

Deputy commissioner Subodh Yadav addressed the taluk representatives
on the report submitted by them on crime rates on SC and ST in their
respective areas.

Speaking to the representavives he said that situation arising out of
increasing atrocities against SC and ST in urban areas is the
principal responsibility of the state government. The state government
must post 2 or 3 SC and ST officials where the people are vulnerable
and implement the laws to protect the people, according to him.

Further he said the officials and representatives had to work for the
welfare and development of the people in general and vulnerable
sections in particular. Equality of status and opportunity to all
citizens are guaranteed. The strategy of the state is to secure
distributive justice and allocation of resources to support programmes
for social economic and educational advancement of the weaker section
in general and those of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes,
backward classes to avoid injustice and exploitaion.

There was a face-to-face discussion on the crime rate in urban areas
and how to get control over it. The taluk heads explained the problems
confronting SC/ST people in urban areas and urged to provide
justice to the same.

Additional deputy commissioner S A Prabhakar Sharma and police
officials as well as taluk heads were present in this meet.

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[ZESTCaste] Fwd: blog for national conference

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Panthukala Srinivas <seenanna@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 1:58 PM
Subject: blog for national conference
To: DIET <dalit-information-n-education-trust@googlegroups.com>

Dear All,

Please see the Blog for our National Conference and send your comments
or suggestions.

Reach at :  movementsforequityinreservations@yahoo.in

Thanks

Regards,

Srinivas Panthukala

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[ZESTCaste] At President's fingertips: Ambedkar, Chandni Chowk

http://www.hindustantimes.com/At-Prez-s-fingertips-Ambedkar-Chandni-Chowk/Article1-623614.aspx

At President's fingertips: Ambedkar, Chandni Chowk
Shekhar Iyer, Hindustan Times

New Delhi, November 08, 2010First Published: 21:48 IST(8/11/2010)

Surely, there were no scenes of MPs climbing over benches in
Parliament's Central Hall to shake hands with the world's most
powerful leader. But, by the time he uttered Jai Hind to wrap up his
35-minute address, US President Barack Obama had sold his vision of
India and must have created a record of sorts: several rounds of
applause — almost one every minute — and a standing ovation that
showed the success of his final charm offensive.

Obama uttered every word that a distinguished gathering present at the
House wanted to hear.

From Indian contribution of zero to Panchatantra and Gandhiji to
Ambedkar, Obama spun his argument to drive home "the promise of India"
and why India will have to shoulder greater responsibility with
greater power and "put aside old habits and attitudes" that keep
people apart.

Beginning with bahut dhanyavad in Hindi for the warm hospitality he
and Michelle Obama received, Obama struck a warm chord with his tone
of humility.

"I am mindful that I might not be standing before you, as President of
the United States, had it not been for Gandhiji and the message he
shared with America and the world," said Obama as he traced Mahatma's
influence on civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

Speaking with the help of a teleprompter, Obama reached out to the masses.

"Whether you live in a village in Punjab or the bylanes of Chandni
Chowk...an old section of Kolkata or a new high-rise in Bangalore —
every person deserves the same chance to live in security and dignity,
to get an education, to find work, and to give their children a better
future."


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[ZESTCaste] From Gandhi to Ambedkar, Obama remembers all

 

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/from-gandhi-to-ambedkar-obama-remembers-all/115095/on

From Gandhi to Ambedkar, Obama remembers all

Press Trust of India / New Delhi November 8, 2010, 19:45 IST

Eulogising India's contribution to world civilisations, US President
Barack Obama today invoked leaders from all walks of life -- from his
'hero' Mahatma Gandhi to Tagore and Ambedkar -- to drive home his
point.

Obama quoted Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, "Where the mind
is without fear and the head is held high" as he recalled India's
contribution to world civilisations and the message Swami Vivekananda
delivered in 1893 at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago.

"It's the richness of faiths celebrated by a visitor to my hometown of
Chicago more than a century ago -- the renowned Swami Vivekananda," he
said when he dwelt on the "very idea of India" -- "its embrace of all
colours, castes and creed".

And as he spoke about his belief that "every person can fulfil their
god-given potential" no matter where he comes from, he invoked the
father of Indian constitution B R Ambedkar, saying "just as a Dalit
like Dr Ambedkar could lift himself up and pen the words of the
Constitution that protects the rights of all Indians...".

But most of all, his speech was dotted with references of Gandhi, the
man whom he had hailed two days ago as "a hero not just to India but
to the world."

"In the life of Gandhiji and in his simple and profound lesson to be
the change we seek in the world. And just as he summoned Indians to
seek their destiny, he influenced champions of equality in my own
country, including a young Martin Luther King.

"After making his pilgrimage to India a half century ago, Dr King
called Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance 'the only logical
and moral approach' in the struggle for justice and progress," the
49-year-old US President said.

He said he felt honoured and humbled to visit the residence where
Gandhi and King both stayed -- Mani Bhavan -- and the memorial of the
father of nation at Rajghat.

"We were humbled to pay our respects at Rajghat. And I am mindful that
I might not be standing before you today, as President of the United
States, had it not been for Gandhi and the message he shared with
America and the world," he said.

Trying to reach out to Indian masses, Obama said, "We believe that no
matter where you live -- whether a village in Punjab or the bylanes of
Chandni Chowk...An old section of Kolkata or a new high-rise in
Bangalore -- every person deserves the same chance to live in security
and dignity, to get an education, to find work, and to give their
children a better future."

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[ZESTCaste] Upper castes in remote area of Uttar Pradesh object to Angrezi Devi

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_upper-castes-in-remote-area-of-uttar-pradesh-object-to-angrezi-devi_1464102


Upper castes in remote area of Uttar Pradesh object to Angrezi Devi

Published: Tuesday, Nov 9, 2010, 3:15 IST

By Deepak Gidwani | Place: Lucknow | Agency: DNA

A Dalit-dominated hamlet in remote area of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is on
the radar of top officials of the Mayawati administration nowadays. At
the crux of their interest is a new goddess 'Angrezi Devi'.

Construction of a temple consecrated to this goddess of English is in
full swing in Jang Bahadur Ganj village of Lakhimpur Kheri district.
But tension has already begun to simmer over this unique campaign to
popularise English and modern education among Dalits. Upper castes
feel this is the first step towards conversion of Dalits to
Christianity. They also feel worshipping 'Angrezi Devi' is an insult
to Hindu goddesses.

"Those who are opposing the 'Angrezi Devi' temple are either ignorant
or are acting at the behest of some vested interests," says renowned
writer on Dalit issues, Dr Chandrabhan Prasad, who is the driving
force behind the ingenious initiative. "English education is the
primary need of Dalits. We are working on Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's
inspiration," he said.

A three-feet high statue of the goddess of English is ready for
installation. The statue is designed on the lines of New York's Statue
of Liberty. It holds aloft a pen in one hand and a copy of the Indian
Constitution in the other.

But even as Dalits of Jang Bahadur Ganj toil day and night for the
proposed inauguration of the new temple by month-end, top officials in
Lucknow are a worried lot. "We have been getting reports of tension
between Dalits and upper castes over this temple… we only hope this
issue doesn't flare up," a senior police official said. State
intelligence agencies, he added, were keeping a close eye on the
situation.

"The upper castes feel this is only a ruse to convert Dalits to
Christianity," he said, adding that a number of people had apprised
senior district officials of their objections. "They also see the
temple as an attempt to grab land," the official said.

Because of its Dalit dimension, the "Angrezi Devi" issue is highly
sensitive for the Mayawati government. So, no senior official is
willing to go on record about the controversy.

Meanwhile, students of the Nalanda Shiksha Niketan, a local Dalit
school, have even written a prayer to worship the goddess in English.

The structure of the temple, being built on about 800 square feet of
land, is almost complete. Prasad says the temple walls would be
adorned with scientific formulae, famous quotes and gems of knowledge
from a variety of subjects. However, what remains to be seen is
whether this new temple spreads the light of knowledge or the flames
of caste conflict.


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[ZESTCaste] Dalits of Saligrama suffer as boycott continues

http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/04/stories/2010110463650800.htm

Karnataka

Dalits of Saligrama suffer as boycott continues

Muralidhara Khajane

MYSORE: Despite repeated appeals to the State Government, the Dalits
of Saligrama village of K.R. Nagar taluk remain ostracised by 'caste'
Hindus for a trivial reason.

The Dalits are now becoming anxious as the social boycott cost them their jobs.

According to Srinivas, president, Bahujana Hitarakshana Vedike, "We
were earning Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 a day by working in the village; now
we are forced to trek 8 to 10 km to earn Rs. 50.

Authorities who promised to provide work under the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act have nothing to offer us," he
said.

Saligrama has a population of nearly 10,000 and Dalits make up 2,000.

The immediate cause for the social boycott was a silly reason.
According to the Dalits, cattle belonging to 'caste' Hindus were found
grazing on land belonging to Govindaraju, a Dalit. When Govindaraju
objected to it, he was assaulted. Govindaraju filed a complaint with
the police and sought protection. This led to the Dalits being
ostracised since September 26.

Apathy

Meanwhile, Adaguru H. Vishwanath, MP, has taken exception to the
apathy of the district authorities and district in-charge Minister S.
Ramdas in finding a solution to the problems being faced by the
Dalits.

He appealed to Mr. Ramdas to help the hapless Dalits and provide them
an opportunity to live with dignity.

Commissioner, Department of Social Welfare, Manjunatha Prasad, visited
the village three weeks ago and promised to ensure justice. But
nothing has been done so far.

Regretting the apathy of the Government in addressing the issue, DSS
leader Bettaiah Kote said the BJP Government was pushing the community
backward, instead of working for its uplift, by supporting 'caste'
Hindus discreetly.


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[ZESTCaste] US prez has given dalits a reason to smile: NCSC chief

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/TNN08b-dalitimcleared-by-diwakar-2200------------/articleshow/6890718.cms

US prez has given dalits a reason to smile: NCSC chief

Subodh Ghildiyal, TNN, Nov 9, 2010, 01.38am IST

NEW DELHI: Barack Obama's mention of Mahatma Gandhi as the man who
made his presidency possible and his invocation of "a dalit",
Ambedkar, as the author of the Constitution had the MPs in audience
gushing that his words could boost the struggle for social justice
like few statements can.

PL Punia, chairman of the National Commission for SCs, said that
"Obama identified himself with champions of dalit rights" which was
unheard of for a major political figure like the head of the US. "It
is a moment of pride for dalits. He gave an opportunity to dalits to
smile," Punia said.

The strong empowerment message of the US president, loaded with the
symbolismof his own paradigm-busting success as the first black to win
the top post in US, was lapped up by all, especially the dalit MPs.

Ashok Tanwar, youngster from the Congress stable, said the mention of
Gandhi and Ambedkar in the context of peace and equality was
"marvellous".

Chairman of the OBC parliamentary forum Hanumantha Rao said, "Obama
shook all by his mention of Ambedkar-Gandhi and by his recalling of
Vivekananda's Chicago address."

The admiration for Obama's bold speech was universal but drew a
discordant note too. Pramod Kureel, BSP member of the Rajya Sabha,
gifted Obama the ninth volume of the "collected works of Ambedkar"
which contains his book, "What Gandhi and Congress have done to
untouchables".

While Obama was leaving, Kureel intercepted him on the aisle to give a
"gift from 300 million dalits of India". The young MP said Obama
glimpsed at it, thanked him and handed over the book to his staff.

Hailing from the dalit outfit which revers Ambedkar and forms the core
of anti-Congress political axis, Kureel's gesture was aimed to suggest
that the father of the nation was antagonistic and not complimentary
to the dalit icon unlike the way the US president presented.

Later, Kureel said, "Obama sent a big message to the underprivileged
as his speech was not Gandhi-centric but mentioned Ambedkar. It is
important."

While business and strategic partnership have dominated the chatter
about the high profile visit, Obama's social justice face with a very
local touch moved the audience. The symbolism of the US president's
own success was not lost on anyone.

As Speaker Meira Kumar earlier said, "As a person, he has the
qualities and accomplishments which enabled him to transcend the very
deep-rooted barriers in his own country."

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