e n

Journey towards human dignity

Aamir Khan, who has carved out a niche for himself in the Hindi film world through his innovative initiatives and Uday Shankar, CEO of Star TV India, described Mahadalit late Dashrath Manjhi as a source of inspiration and saluted his indomitable courage

NEW DELHI: At a function organised by Social Development Foundation on the death anniversary of Savitri Bai Phule, the foundation’s activists from different parts of Uttar Pradesh showcased their work. Women of manual-scavenging communities, who had left their ‘traditional occupation’ and are now engaged in stitching, sewing and tailoring work, were also present. A surprise visitor was author Tasleema Nasreen, who listened to the struggles of the Dalit and Muslim women and saw how the foundation’s work was complementing their activities and strengthening their efforts. Babu Gogineni and Narendra Nayak also spoke in the programme. About 50 activists, who belong to  the most marginalized communities, shared their experiences. There was Rehana from Saharanpur who displayed her beautiful works of stitching and natural colours. She had fought with the dominant groups for her rights and acquired her ancestral property. There was Sangeeta who explained SDF’s work in the Deoria region with the most marginalised communities. Activists, academics, lawyers based in Delhi also participated.  -Vidya Bhushan Rawat

 

‘Mountain man Dashrath Manjhi a source of inspiration’

GAYA (Bihar): Aamir Khan, who has carved out a niche for himself in the Hindi film world through his innovative initiatives and Uday Shankar, CEO of Star TV India, described Mahadalit late Dashrath Manjhi as a source of inspiration and saluted his indomitable courage. The Bhuvan of Lagaan, who visited the Gehlor valley in Antari block of Gaya district on 11 March to shoot an episode of Satyamev Jayate Season-2, met the family members of Manjhi and said that Star India team would soon take an initiative to help them. Earlier, the Mr Perfectionist and Uday Shankar visited Manjhi’s memorial in Gehlor valley.

In a related development, on 1 March, Bihar RJD leader Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav also reached Dashrath Nagar in Gehlor valley to present Rs 1 lakh to Manjhi’s son Bhagirath and daughter-in-law Basanti Devi. He also assured them  that Rs 10,000 would be provided to the family every month through Maan-Mati trust run by his wife and former MP Ranjita Ranjan -Ashish/ Pappu Yadav

 

Published in the April 2014 issue of the Forward Press magazine


Forward Press also publishes books on Bahujan issues. Forward Press Books sheds light on the widespread problems as well as the finer aspects of the Bahujan (Dalit, OBC, Adivasi, Nomadic, Pasmanda) community’s literature, culture, society and culture. Contact us for a list of FP Books’ titles and to order. Mobile: +919968527911, Email: info@forwardmagazine.in

About The Author

FP Desk

Related Articles

केवल भारत में ही नहीं, दक्षिण एशिया में जातिगत जनगणना की दरकार
यह बात केवल भारत के बारे में ही आवश्यक नहीं है, बल्कि यह दक्षिण एशिया के एक बड़े हिस्से में भी अनिवार्य रूप से...
उत्तर प्रदेश में बसपा : राजनीतिक फलक पर दलित प्रतिनिधित्व की वैचारिक भूमि (चौथा भाग) 
बहुजन से सर्वजन की राजनीति में मुस्लिम समुदाय मायावती के साथ आ तो रहा था, लेकिन मायावती का भाजपा के साथ संबंध ऐसा था...
Shouldn’t the courts lead the way in shaking off patriarchal mindset?
Instead of perpetuating and fueling the patriarchal mindset prevalent in society, the judiciary should mindfully assume greater responsibility for bringing about structural progressive changes...
Christmas signifies hope, love, peace and joy in uncertain times
Like the shepherds, I understand the significance of that birth over two thousand years ago when God entered this world, in the flesh. He...
SAD-BSP alliance in Punjab: Farm-laws wound is too raw and Dalit disaffection too deep
The SAD is reeling from the Jat-Sikh anger against the new farm laws and, despite a third of Punjab’s population being Dalit, it has...