[ZESTCaste] Caste and faith first in companies, merit next
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/caste-creed-first-in-companies-merit-next/51259-3.html Caste and faith first in companies, merit next Sumit Pande CNN-IBN CASTE AWAY: A study has shown that upper-caste bias exists in India's booming private sector. New Delhi: Liberalisation and a free market economy have not changed traditional biases in companies. A study conducted by American and Indian scholars shows that there is a caste bias in the country's private sector with companies preferring to recruit upper-caste candidates even if they are less qualified. Two Princeton University researchers, who are studying discrimination in the new market economy, and Indian scholars like University Grants Chairperson Sukhdeo Thorat have found that even in the private sector merit is not always the guiding factor. The researchers responded to 548 job advertisements in over 66 weeks and sent about 4,800 applications were sent. The applicants were divided into three broad categories: those who had conspicuous upper-caste surname, those who had clear Dalit surnames and the third group comprised those who had Muslim names. Broadly, all three categories had similar professional qualifications. The results were shocking: For every 100 upper-caste candidates who received calls for interviews, only 67 Dalit and 33 Muslim candidates were called. Upper-caste candidates who were not well qualified got better responses than Dalit applicants with higher degrees. Here as well as in the USA, problems of discrimination remain persistent and are necessary to deal with in terms of policy, says Princeton University Professor Katherine Newman. Professor B C Mungekar of the Planning Commission said, There is a basic conflict of the ascriptive role of caste in Indian society, in an achievement-oriented, market-based economy, over a period of time, particularly after 1991. This has proved beyond a doubt that there is an upper-caste preference in the job market. The study comes at a time then the government has been trying to attempting to convince the private sector that there is a need for affirmative action.
[ZESTCaste] The soul food (Chandrabhan Prasad)
http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnist1.asp?main_variable=Columnistfile_name=prasad%2Fprasad230.txtwriter=prasad The soul food By Chandrabhan Prasad Arguably, New York is a museum of world cultures where people from all over the world can be seen exploring their dreams. New York also mirrors the American strength in embracing all cultures. Manhattan is a playground of American splendour. Within it lie two extremes, the Times Square, the living ecstasy on Earth, and Harlem, the Black locality. Harlem shows how ugly America's race-relations have been. There used to be a night club called Cotton Club where leading Black artists performed, but often, Black customers would not be allowed to enter. Such has been the appalling inheritance of America. Historically associated with poverty, crime and Black habitat, Harlem has been a laboratory of Black cultural renaissance. Rising from the deadweight of racism, the Black geniuses found expression in Harlem and morally pulverised the White arrogance. The Sylvia restaurant in Harlem or just Sylvia's, is a book of Black beauty and resolve and Whites' reluctant goodbye to desegregation. There was no way, thus, that I would miss visiting Sylvia's. I took time off from my university assignment and landed at the doorstep of my friend who lives in Manhattan. He took me to what is popularly known as Sylvia's Soul Food. The restaurant has been visited by the world's best known faces like Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and Magic Johnson, legendary basketball player. It has also been visited by soap opera deity Susan Victoria Lucci of All My Children fame and Academy Award winning actress Liza Minnelli of the Cabaret fame. Irrespective of their colour, people visiting New York make it a point to have at least one meal at Sylvia's. With a seating capacity of 450 people, over 4,000 customers visit Sylvia's every week. She opened the restaurant in 1962. The restaurant is owned and run by a Black. Looking back at her past, Sylvia is a goddess of inspiration. Born in February 2, 1926, her father died three days after her birth. Her grandfather was hanged wrongly on the charge of a grocery store robbery. Raised by her mother, Sylvia has seen both poverty and discrimination. Picking green beans, she worked at a farm to add to the family's income. I didn't understand why people would not let me drink out of the same water fountain, but they would trust me to cook for them and to take care of their dearest things, their babies, Sylvia recalls in one of her interviews. She trained to become a beautician but became a waitress instead in New York. With a loan from her mother, she opened Sylvia's. The rest is history. Sylvia's Family Soul Food cookbook is as popular among the Blacks as among the Whites. She has now diversified into a host of beauty products. I consider myself lucky to have met Sylvia Woods, now 81, in person. A goddess of humility, she reminded me of the contributions made by her late husband Herbert Woods, and mother Julia. The elegant Van Woods now leads the revolution unleashed by Sylvia. Ours is delicacy of America's south, says her charming daughter Bedelia. In other words, Sylvia's is not about Black food. Of course there is an interest in the way Blacks cook their food, said a White customer after much prodding. After spending hours around the restaurant, I can feel that in the unstated White conscience, Sylvia's food is also about the Black flavour. My question now to all Indians is - what if a Dalit opened a restaurant in New Delhi? Will the caste-Hindus flock to a Dalit restaurant the way White's do to Sylvia's?
[ZESTCaste] Employment bias mars private sector - Study
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070030855ch=10/27/2007%208:13:00%20AM Employment bias mars private sector - Study Aradhana Sharma Saturday, October 27, 2007 (New Delhi) The private sectors' refrain that affirmative action is good enough may not stand now. Fresh studies have proved that there is discrimination in employment. It was subject of much dispute - many had been saying it, others contesting it. On Friday, a study was released by the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies in collaboration with Princeton University. The study was conducted against 548 job advertisements with 4808 applicants over 66 weeks, across five metros. It reveals that in fact a person's caste and religion could be a hindrance in getting a job, despite equal qualification. Inequality in private sector The study says that a dalit had 60 per cent less chances of being called for an interview, and a Muslim had 30 per cent less, as against their higher caste peers. The wage earnings too were found to five to 20 per cent lower, between SC as compared to upper castes. And that is not all, one may also carry the baggage of family background, when being interviewed for a job. ''Here in India, it is a routine practice for employers to enquire about family background and use it as a means for screening. This is an anti-thesis to what one expects in a merit based system,'' Professor Katherine S Newman, Princeton University. The survey contradicts what employers have been claiming all this while that jobs are given purely on merit, a contradiction that needs to be addressed urgently. ''The result of the studies need to be taken seriously and we need an equal opportunities policy in the form of reservation in addition to what everyone is already doing,'' Professor Sukhdev Thorat, report author and UGC chairperson. Affirmative action, like skill and enterprise development, taken up by the private sector so far, may just not be enough, if employment opportinities in the country are to become inclusive.
[ZESTCaste] Ambedkar Scholarships 2007 donations are solicited
Dear friends, If you have already responded, please ignore. We started collecting donations for 2007 Ambedkar Schlarships. Please come forward with your donations. Our need is so great this year as we are planning to expand to other states. We are running this project with utmost care and deligence. As I had explained in my last mail our overhead costs are less than 2%. Please let me know if you want to encourage a bright student. It is very easy to ignore this type of mails. But, before doing so, please think of your days as a student and the struggles you may have experience for lack of a few thousand rupees. This is the time for you to help a bright but economically backward student. We all know how much we spend on expenses that are useless or just for pleasure. It is OK, but we need to think of our fellow brethren who need encouragement. For those who are new to our project: This small project is started in 2003 just to satisfy our desire to help the financially and socially backward but bright young students of India, not for fame or glory and we operate in such a fashion. The beneficiaries are Dalit students at present. We run this project with 100% transparency and every detail of a donation, an expense, and beneficiary will be posted on our website www.ambedkarscholarship.org . Currently our website is down. Apart of scholarships, we also undertake other issues when they come to our notice and feel worthy to receive our help. You may sponsor one or more scholarships for Rs.5,500 or $150 each; donate whatever the amount you like; donate books useful to our students. 50% of scholarships are reserved for girls. You may donate for a variety of purposes as we have several projects Scholarships for regular students, scholarships for children from scavenging families, one time help for students for professional courses like Nursing, micro-loans, recognition of people in their fields, helping victims of unspeakable caste atrocities etc. If you sponsor an entire scholarship we match a student with your donation and name the scholarship as you wish. We print your name on the certificate of achievement handed over to the student. We run this project with as democratically as possible implementing every viable suggestion come from the donors. We entirely depend on the goodwill of our donors. We do not have any corporate donations. We are all volunteers and do not take any salary or honorarium while doing this. So, every penny donated will be used wisely with less overhead costs. We are operating in AP and Tamilnadu and planning to operate in Maharashtra, UP this year. You can designate your scholarship to a girl or boy, to a school or district in the state we operate. So, friends, please come forward with your donations. We are banking on you. If you ignore our request, we have to wind-up this unique project. As I have told, this is not for any ones glory. If any capable person wants to run the project, I am more than happy to hand-over. So, it is not the people who run this project that matters, but it is how is it being run. Check our track record and judge if we are doing our job well enough. With lots of hopes. Benjamin Paul Kaila NOTE: I am sorry that our website is down. I am working to fix it ASAP. I apologize for it. -- An educated man without character and humility was more dangerous than a beast. If his education was detrimental to the welfare of poor, he was a curse to society. -Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar Please visit www.ambedkarscholarship.org
[ZESTCaste] All are casteists in Hindu society!!!
Caste is what decides the fate of a hindu . Caste decides what should be his social circle What should he eat. With whom he should eat. With whom he should marry. To whom he should respect. And whom he should treat with contempt. And of course this system is heaven for some and hell for some. The hindu society is divided into five broad social groups. Graded in descending order they are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas , Shudras and Antyajas. The last group is also known as untouchable group. The untouchable now call them selves Dalit ( Crushed people ) . The untouchability has been abolished in law but it still persist beyond cities' limits. The law is helpless, in this it has the help of disinterested law-upholders. The caste discrimination is rampant in villages but in cities it takes sophisticated ways. This so called timeless wretched system has made the lives of millions of dalits hell. They are the ultimate victims. Though there is government support to them in form of reservation in educational and government institutions. We will examine the extent of prevailing of casteism in Hindu society. Is it limited to only upper strata or the others are also its practitioners? The upper strata consist of three higher varnas also called twice-born for they are eligible for thread ceremony. The lower two strata are not eligible for thread ceremony indicating their lower status as compared to twice-born. The fourth stratum of Shudras is superior to Dalits. The dalits are condemned to live a wretched life. Nobody bothers because it suits everybody's ends. As it happened after India received independence , most of the upper caste people moved to cities. It was mainly due to land reforms under which the land was given to tillers. These tillers were the Shudras or what is now called landed backward castes. Now these castes are evidently oppressing the Dalits. Now the question is that why should the Shudra who were earlier poor should commit atrocities on landless Dalits. In this regard it may be seen that poor upper caste people are never at the receiving end of this kind of exploitation. It is reserved only for the Dalits. Now what ails the society? How come the victims of the system ( Shudras the fourth Varna) are not ready to fight it out and demolish it? In the line of their earlier exploiters (upper castes) the new landed Shudra castes are behaving in a similar manner. These newly landed Shudras were tillers not long ago and thus a victim of the system and were living at the mercy of upper castes. The reason for this is very simple. It is not very perplexing. The idea about elimination of caste is the same for all the castes and individuals. This common idea can be described as follows. But before that let us see what the caste structure is. The caste system in India is a hierarchal system of different castes which are endogamous in nature. Each caste has a given heredity occupation and a heredity based purity and social standing. The purity decreases downward the caste scale and increases upward the caste scale. The common idea of abolishing the caste of each caste is that the each caste wants to be equal to castes higher than it and maintain its superiority in comparison to still lower castes. Like a Jat wants to be equal to twice-born but at the same time maintain his superiority over lower castes to him. And same likewise Yadavs or a Reddys or even Chamars. Ironically the Chamars are untouchable themselves. So everybody wants to solve the caste system for himself only. Everybody wants a change where he is not badly affected but gains out of it. Everybody demands equality for himself but denies it to those below him. This same common idea full of self-interest prevents the people of castes on higher scale to unite with the people with castes on lower scale. Since everybody is doing it, no unity against caste system is achieved. And in the absence of such united opposition the caste system thrives on. Such a common idea actually means down ward discrimination by all the castes including Chamars. The Chamar discriminates against Bhangi but wants equality and respect from castes higher to him. There is inherent inner contradiction in such a selfish solution to abolish the caste. The lowest caste in the system ( Bhangi) can not do it because it does not get a chance. Therefore it is futile to say that only upper caste practice caste discrimination while others are not the culprit. This kind of behavior is the reason for which the landed Shudras discriminate against still lower caste and so on downward. The discrimination is pushed down and down till it engulfs whole of the society and all the castes. Thus it can be said that all the people in Hindu society are casteists whether they belong to the higher most caste or the lower most caste. And with such a situation and thinking there is little hope for equality in the society.
[ZESTCaste] from a blog: Why the sc/st and muslim candidates donot get job in private sector
http://againstreservation2007.rediffiland.com/scripts/xanadu_diary_view.php?postId=1193549211 againstreservation2007.rediffiland.com/ Sunday 28 October, 2007 10:56 | 28/Oct/2007 | Why the sc/st and muslim candidates donot get job in private sector The study has been published in epw mag,this is false,see the causes 1)the percentage of marks they get in ug or pg level is very low,in case of universitry exam or entrance test. 2)they are the products of quota or minority institutions where they get admitted with relaxable norms and lower criteria-both in qualifying and entrance examination 3)they do the qualifications through quota in all the cases.an upper caste candidate cannot get to study at pg or ug level for stiff competition ,but where as a lower caste comfortably get the chance upto phd. level due to quota .suppose a candidate of higher caste gets first class,in many cases he or she does not get chance in pg level,where a lower caste gets and completes with 40 to 50% marks.how can you say he is more intelligent than the upper caste.so the qualification is not the only factor but the quality of the qualified candidates and the mode of selection process through which he was selected is also the factor.at the end of the day they are doing qualifications with less marks and through quota?how they can be chosen readily in this competition? 4)no of contenders for jobs in lower castes is very much smaller.even the govt finds it difficult to fill up its mandatory quota because even with lower criteria no of eligibles from sc/st/muslim community is not found.now see they are already getting 66% and 33% respectively-so whole picture is not gloomy. 5) IT IS ALSO A FAKE CLAIM THAT PRIVATE SETORS' SELECTION PROCESS IS NOT OPEN OR FAIR.MANY GOVT DEPTS HAVE NO FAIRNESS WHETHER RECRUITING 'SECRTARIES OR PA's.IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE PRIVATE SECTORS DONOT HIRE RIGHT PERSON IN THE RIGHT PLACE AS ALL OF US KNOW VERY WELL THAT PRIVATE SECTORS ARE MAINLY PROFITMAKING CORPORATES AND ORGANISED BY INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS WHICH HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING ON THEIR OWN MONEY OR HAVE TO BORROW IT FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WITH HIGH RATE OF INTEREST,THERE IS NO SUBSIDY TO COMPENSATE THEIR LOSS ETC ETC.SO THEY ARE MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT RECRIUTMENT.IF A DALIT OR MUSLIM GETS 90% AND AN UPPER CASTE GETS 5O% THE FORMER WILL BE CHOSEN READILY.. Let dalits and muslims come through open competition,then should tell all these things.when their selection process in higher education is not fair and they are using constitutional backdoors,then how can they argue that they are geeting discriminated.upper caste graduates are essentially more qualified and intelligent than their phds.as they do everything in most of the cases through quota.as long as the qualification is dependent on quota or affirmative action the whole things will be a big zero.govt should stress on equal merit factor not quota or affirmative actions. THIS LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO ONE OF THE EDITORS TRYING TO THINK BEYOND THE CASTE SIR, THE ARTICLES RELATED TO CASTE BASED DEPRIVATION IN YOUR PUBLICATION ARE SOME EXTENT FAR FROM THE REALITY.THE PEOPLE WHO SHOUTS ABOUT THE CASTE BASED OPPRESSIONS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE FACT THE SO CALLED BACKWARD CLASSES INCLUDING DALITS WHO GET RESERVATION IN GOVT OR PUBLIC SECTOR ARE NOT HIRED BY THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY NOT FOR THEIR CASTES(MAY BE THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS),BUT FOR THEIR INABILITY AND LACK OF SKILL.NO INDUSTRY WILL ALLOW A FORWARD CASTE PEOPLE WITH LOW MARKS AND LOWER QUALIFICATIONS.SO THE ARTICLE WHICH YOU PUBLISHED IS TOTALLY BOGUS AND OLD WINE IN A NEW BOTTLE.MODERN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AND MODERN JOB FIELDS ARE NOT CASTE ORIENTED,HERE ONLY QUALITY AND SKILL MATTER.THERE MAY BE VARNASHRAMA IN SOCIETY ,BUT THAT DOES NOT GIVE MORALITY TO ORGANISE SO CALLED AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS AS WE ARE NOT LIVING IN THE AGE OF VARNASHRAMA BASED EDUCATION SYSTEM.A PERSON WHO HAS WOUND ON THE FOOT ,DOCTORS SHOULD DO THE DRESSING THERE,NOT ON THE HEAD.THE PROBLEM OF SO CALLED BACKWARD CLASSES INCLUDING DALITS AND MUSLIMS IS NOT THAT THEY GET DEPRIVATION IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION AND JOB.LACK OF GOOD PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION,LACK OF BASIC HEALTH CARE ARE THE MAIN FACTORS.THOSE WHO HAVE GOOD PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CAN EASILY COMPETE IN ENTRANCE TESTS.THOSE WHO HAVE GOOD BASE IN HIGHER EDUCATIONS ,DONOT NEED TO RUN FOR RESERVATION IN JOBS AS BEGGARS.THE DALITS AND THE SO CALLED OPPRESSEDS GAIN THE QUALIFICATION IN CASE OF HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH RELAXABLE NORMS AND THAT IS THE MAIN CONCERN.THE UPPER CASTES WHO GET GOOD JOBS IN PRIVATE SECTORS ARE WITH MORE HIGH MARKS THAN THEIR SO CALLED OPPRESSED COUNTERPARTS IN MOST OF THE CASES,SO HERE NOT ONLY THE QUALIFICATIONS BUT ALSO THE QUALITY ,SKILL AND MERIT OF THE QUALIFIED PERSONALS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT.IF A DALIT OR BACKWARD GETS 90% AND AN UPPER CASTE GETS 5O% THE FORMER WILL BE CHOSEN READILY.BUT IN INDIA IN MOST OF THE CASES THE SO CALLED OPPRESSOR UPPER
[ZESTCaste] Reservation Policy or Discrimination Policy
http://www.nagalandpost.com/Opiniondesc.asp?sectionid=49817 Reservation Policy or Discrimination Policy- The concept of reservation has once again brought to the limelight of state politics, after so many years of its implementation the reservation policy has reached a stage where both its supporters' and its critics are unhappy about it. The founding fathers of our constitution wished to secure socio, economic, and political equality for all citizens of the country. However keeping in mind the caste ridden society and its diver's ethnic, social, cultural indifferences, it was realized that this objective could not be achieved unless special protections were provided specially to disadvantages groups, therefore many provision were incorporated in our constitution to uplift disadvantages groups. In the post independent, instead of undertaking a series of welfare measures required to solve the problems of unemployment, illiteracy and poverty, special assistance were given in the name of reservation as a result in many cases, politicians implemented the policy as a vote banks. These are some reasons directly or indirectly lead to the emergence of coalition govt. and govt. instability in the country. If we look into some important constitutional safeguards for the advancement of backward and weaker sections like Art 15(4), 16(4) (5), 46, 335 and 340. Art.46 (D.P). It is the state's responsibility to promote education, economic interest of S.C., S.T. and WEAKER SECTION' Art. 340 appointment of backward commission to investigate the condition of backward classes in regards to socially and educationally backward group. Here the term Backward is used to describe all the weaker sections of the society that includes S.C., S.T., and OBC. The tenl1 'other' was added only to distinguish this category from 'Dalits' Reservation policy and its implementation in our state: According to the present form of reservation policy there are only two groups of people. One labeled as upper class or ruling class and the other as backward tribe. The former consist of few tribes - Sumi, Lotha etc., etc. and the later consist of the remaining tribes - Chakesang, Phom etc. etc. As a result those tribe that comes under backward category enjoys the benefits of reservation in competitive exams, govt. employment, service promotion etc. If we look into the reservation policies in other states, as well as in centre, it is not surprising to see some sections of Muslims are included in the backward category to get the benefit of reservation, inspite of the fact that they (Muslims) have ruled India for many centuries, The High Court in its earlier judgment has asked the backward class commission to pick the backward section among the Muslims and not the whole community. So also MandaI commission had already included a few sections of Muslims community among backward category, Coming back to our state reservation policy, the so called upper class that consist of few tribes are excluded from the benefit of reservation. Here the question is, Do all the section of this tribe are ruling class? It is a matter of common knowledge that some sections of the people of this ruling tribe lived under pathetic condition and are deprived of amenities like aid, economic package and reservation benefit by virtue of being ruling tribe. Therefore, the present reservation policy can not be treated as equal or justified. Infact thorough examination, especially in remote areas in regards to literacy rate, ratio of government employment, their representation and its social condition will help in uplifting the poor and disadvantage group in our society. CREAMY LAYER: According to Supreme Court judgment 1992 within backward class or caste, those economic advancement is so high that is necessarily economic advancement and those who have occupied certain post of high social status should be excluded from getting the reservation benefits meant for O.B.C. This has been described as rule of exclusion based on creamy layer concept. On October 19' 2006 Supreme Court have ordered that more affluent and privileged termed as creamy layers among that S.C., S.T. quota beneficiaries should be kept out of the reservation in govt. jobs and education. If we look into the present scenario in our state and as far as my knowledge and personal interaction is concern some affluent and privilege people so called the creamy layer among the backward tribes feel that they need no reservation, but by virtue of being that particular tribe they enjoys the benefits of reservation. On the other hand as mention earlier, many section of our people among the general category are residing in remote areas without basic amenities and bringing them into the equal footing to that of many creamy layer among the backward tribe cannot be justified on any ground. Is not this reservation and discrimination becomes two sides of the same coin? The reservation policy has failed to percolate deep down on those
[ZESTCaste] Commission Calls for Self-Surveys by SC/ST Communities
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=39583n_tit=M'lore%3A+Commission+Calls+for+Self-Surveys+by+SC%2FST+Communities Sunday, October 28, 2007 Saturday, October 27, 2007 6:34:15 PM (IST) M'lore: Commission Calls for Self-Surveys by SC/ST Communities Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR) - pics - Ganesh S Perla Mangalore, Oct 27: A meeting was organized here to receive grievances and suggestions from Bakuda, Godda, Kudumban, Kuruvan, Maila, Manne, Mavilan, Pambada, Valluvan and other communities included in the Scheduled Castes, at the Circuit House here on Friday October 26. The commission chairman justice A J Sadashiva informed at the meeting that the commission after collecting the said information would conduct a survey in March/April 2008. Since the Justice A J Sadashiva Commission of Enquiry laid special emphasis on self-surveys by communities to eliminate discrepancies, the commission the Justice stated would compare its survey report with the self-surveys done by communities. Further he felt that it would help if each caste provided details of members, houses and employment to the Commission. A final report on the same will be submitted to the government before December 2008, he added. Giving information on Pambada community, its member Vasudeva said that there were 567 Pambada community members living in 121 houses in the district. Out of which only five members in the community were able to secure postgraduate degrees and none of them took science subjects in PU. Majority of the Pambada youthsgave up their studies after PU and took up hereditary profession of 'Bootha Kola'. However, this being a seasonal profession most of the community members were not gainfully employed, he lamented. P Deekaiah of Mansa community informed that his community has its origins in DK district. The community however, lost its identity as its members moved to the cities to earn a living as municipality workers. Only 1% population of the community is educated. So, he rued the fact that his community was totally neglected and living in pathetic condition. He requested for a survey to be conducted to provide the population figures of the community. Earlier Justice Sadashiva informed that the meeting has been convened to find out whether the communities with small population and which is a backward can be given educational and job opportunities. Further, he said that a request would be made to include those communities which have not been included in the SC list. -- Subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a BLANK email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[ZESTCaste] Caste slur haunts principal (News)
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1130154 Daily News Analysis Saturday, October 27, 2007 3:44:00 AM Caste slur haunts principal Priya Ramakrishnan MUMBAI: The principal of Sathaye College, Kavita Rege, on Friday dismissed the allegations levelled by Bahujan Vidyarthi Parishad (BVP) that the college was charging excess fee from SC/ST students in several degree-level courses. Around 50 BVP members staged a protest on Friday at Mumbai University's Fort campus and demanded suspension of Rege. As per a circular passed by Mumbai university in 2004, SC/ST students have to pay only Rs120 as fee. But Sathaye college has been charging the same fee as from students in general category. There are three inquiries pending against the principal, said Sushil Mahadik, general secretary, BVP. However, Rege explained that full fee is charged only for BMS and B.Sc. (Information Technology) courses. BMS and BSc. IT are unaided courses. Since we don't get government aid for these courses, we can't offer subsidised fee, she explained. Meanwhile, an FIR was also lodged against Rege at Vile Parle police station for allegedly abusing a senior clerk over his backward caste.
[ZESTCaste] Brahmin's Coffee Corner
http://bangalore-life-explorer.blogspot.com/2007/10/brahmins-coffee-corner.html Saturday, October 27, 2007 Brahmin's Coffee Corner Today on 27.10.2007, I went to Brahmin's Coffee Corner also called Brahmin's Cafe to taste the much talked about food. It is not difficult to find this place as you can make out by heavy crowd outside the Cafe. Its customers consists of people from all age groups. Brahmins Cafe is a small self service restaurant where you will have to stand and eat. This was the menu at Brahmin's Cafe: 2 Idli - Rs.9 1 Vada - Rs.9 Khara Baath - Rs.8 Kesari Baath - Rs.9 Coffee/Tea/Badam Milk - Rs.6 Thats it! The menu was limited but not the crowd! At 10 AM, it was jam packed with people at the cash counter vying with each other to take their token as it is self serviced. The scene was no different at the food counter. I took a token for 2 idlis, 1 vada and a coffee. This made me poor by mere Rs.24. After lot of jostling in the crowd, I got my order. I took the first bite of idli and lo! The idlis just melted in my mouth! Were they really idlis or butter, I felt. I was surprised by the taste of chutney. I had never tasted anything like this before in my life. I also tried the Khara Baath and Kesari Baath, they were good too. But, the melting idlis will remain closer to my heart. After this tryst, I am sure I am going to visit Brahmin's Cafe more often now. Some more information: Brahmin's Cafe is very close to Bull temple road, Basavanagudi. Go near Uma theatre and ask for directions. Anyone would guide you. The exact address is as follows: Brahmin's Cafe Rangarao Road near Shankar Mutt, Shankarpuram Bangalore
[ZESTCaste] Dalit entry in Amman Koil temple
http://www.my-tamil.com/n/2007/10/dalit-entry-in-amman-koil-temple.shtml Friday, October 26, 2007 Dalit entry in Amman Koil temple Prompted by CPMs temple entry programme for Dalits, hundreds of party workers of Viduthalai Chiruthai Katchigal led by its leader Thol Thirumavalavan attempted to stage a forced entry into the Draupadi Amman Koil in Salem where dalits are deprived of their right to worship. However, they were taken into custody and later released. Maintained by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HRCE) for the past four decades, the temple in Kandampatti that falls under the jurisdiction of the Salem Corporation has remained under lock and key since August following a simmering dispute between the dominant Vanniyars and the dalits of the locality.
[ZESTCaste] Rural India streams into Delhi after 340-km marathon
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/rural-india-streams-into-delhi-after-340km-marathon/51287-3-1.html Rural India streams into Delhi after 340-km marathon Rupashree Nanda / CNN-IBN Published on Saturday , October 27, 2007 at 23:09 in Nation » India section New Delhi: The national highway has seen many close shaves. But few like Banwari, a carpenter from Madhya Pradesh, marching to Delhi to demand his right to land. He is a Dalit dreaming of tilling his own farm. Isn't there place for the poor in the country? Is being poor a crime, a curse? he asks. The 300-kilometre march has worn out Kalicharan's shoes but not his resolve. I will die but not go back without a piece of land. How will we live? he asks. Some men share a smoke and their personal history. Of them two were evicted from their land by the uppercaste Thakurs. It's been more than 15 years but no one listens to us, says Bog Singh from MP. There are tribal groups from Kalahandi, Orissa, who are resisting the mining in their hills, and Mussahars from Bihar who want the government at their doorstep. All this is very beautiful – big buildings, different variety of food. But tell me why is my village so impoverished, says Kaili Devi from Bihar. The faces comprising the march are the faces of Incredible India, but are incredibly invisible, walking towards Delhi to make itself visible and be heard. They have one demand – land. Land to build their huts on, land to bury their dead in, land to graze their cattle, land for farming, and land for life. It remains to be seen how the UPA government which calls itself as the government of the aam aadmi greet them once they reach Delhi. -- Subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a BLANK email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[ZESTCaste] ‘UP tops human rights violators list ’
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/UP-tops-human-rights-violators-list/233312/ 'UP tops human rights violators list ' Express news service Posted online: Sunday , October 28, 2007 Lucknow, October 27 August 13, Hardoi: A Dalit girl of Class VII is brutally beaten up. Her offence: She unknowingly touched a glass placed at her class teacher's table. Villagers lodge complaint against the teacher but to no avail. September 18, Suhao village in Ballia: Police beat up locals for protesting against shifting of a bank. Students and teachers of a school, and labourers working in a farm nearby also beaten up. These are two of the several cases, which were presented at the public hearing on human rights violation here in the state capital today. Organised by the People's Union for Human Rights, the public hearing was an example of how human rights are being violated everyday in the country. And according to former IPS officer S R Darapuri, who was one of the jury members, UP tops the list of human rights violators. Other members of the jury included Delhi University's S A R Gilani, former IAS Harish Chandra, legal expert Prashant Bhushan and social activists Arundhati Dhuru and Irfan Ahmed. Cases including the alleged rape case in Dhanadeeh in Shrawasti and the molestation in Hashimpura riots were also presented in front of the jury. Speaking on the occasion, Darapuri said that even though the state has a Dalit chief minister, yet, it tops the list of human rights violation and atrocities against Dalits. Barely 30 per cent of the cases are reported and FIR lodged, while the rest remain unheard, he added. Legal expert Prashant Bhushan said that incidents of violation could be seen all over the country and actions of the government only add to it the trauma. Cases from other states were also presented at the hearing. Irom Singhajit Singh, brother of Irom Sharmila, human rights activist from Manipur, was also present at the hearing. Sharmila has been protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
[ZESTCaste] Dalit Artwork on Display in Denver
http://freethedalit.blogspot.com/2007/10/dalit-artwork-on-display-in-denver.html Friday, October 26, 2007 Dalit Artwork on Display in Denver Untouchable Art Starting Friday, November 16, the people of Colorado have a rare opportunity to see some incredible art and photography. The Dalit Freedom Network (www.dalitnetwork.org), along with The Northeast India Project (www.theindiaproject.com), have compiled a collection of artwork from the Untouchables and Tribals of India. Still considered non-people by the Caste System of India, these groups have long been hidden from most of the world. At over 300 million strong, it is time for them to gain the recognition they deserve. Check it out!
[ZESTCaste] ‘Burn Periyar’s Ramayana’
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Burn-Periyars-Ramayana/233305/ 'Burn Periyar's Ramayana' Express news service Posted online: Sunday , October 28, 2007 Lucknow, October 27 Flaying the Mayawati Government for its inability to ban Dalit leader Periyar's True Ramayan, BJP national president Rajnath Singh today asked party workers to go to any extent to stop its distribution. Ensure that not even a single copy of the book is sold in the state. Burn its copies, protest against it, Singh said while addressing the executive meeting of BJP's state unit here. Referring the book as derogatory to Ram, Singh alleged that BSP is distributing the copies of the book among its party workers. And she talks about social harmony, he said, referring to Chief Minister Mayawati. Recently, Mayawati virtually had snatched a major political issue from BJP by postponing her plans to install a statue of Periyar in the state capital. State BJP president Ramapati Ram Tripathi had on last Tuesday threatened to launch an agitation to stop the BSP government from installing the statue of Periyar, who had abused the Hindu gods, anywhere in the state. Singh also appealed to his party workers to join the Ram Setu agitation being led by the Ram Setu Raksha Manch. Though the BJP is not directly leading the agitation, party workers should involve themselves in the issue through the Manch, he said. He added, The public has seen the functioning of both the BSP and the SP. Both worked with vendetta and were busy with ordering transfers. None thought of development.
[ZESTCaste] String of welfare measures for Dalits in Punjab (News)
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=514178 DALITS-BADAL String of welfare measures for Dalits in Punjab JALANDHAR, OCT 26 (PTI) The Punjab government today announced a string of measures for the welfare of Dalits on the occasion of celebration of birth anniversary of Guru Valmiki. Speaking on the occasion here, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced that the payment of salary to sanitation workers would soon be done through cheque to curb fraud and they would be provided with safety gadgets. He also assured to expedite the recruitment drive for workers and dissolution of the neighbourhood sanitation committees by a notification within 15 days. He announced sanctioning of Rs one crore towards construction of Valmiki Bhawan here. I have instructed the officials concerned to allocate the land. I will contribute Rs 50 lakh from my discretionary funds while five Jalandhar MLAs will contribute Rs 5 lakh each. The Rajya Sabha member Naresh Gujral will shell out Rs 15 lakh from his quota and there will be no shortage of funds for the proposed project, said CM. The government will introduce short term certificate courses in trades like carpentry, plumber, electrician and driving. Chief Minister also announced institution of Valmiki Kavi state award for promoting poets in different languages. He also said the Ram Teerth temple in Amritsar will be developed and a model school will be set up here for students from poor families.
[ZESTCaste] Dalits go on rampage (News)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Dalits_go_on_rampage/rssarticleshow/2493898.cms Dalits go on rampage 27 Oct 2007, 0227 hrs IST,TNN AMRITSAR: Dalits resorted to vandalism at a busy Amritsar market on Friday to avenge the death of a youth belonging to their community. Police said Shankar Das was shot at near Beri Gate by some people who alighted from the car of Bony Gill, a relative of SAD MLA Raminder Singh Bularia, on Thursday. On Friday, it was the height of police inaction at Hall Bazar when cops stood as mute spectators, while Dalit youths, brandishing swords, iron rods and hockey sticks went on rampage. They smashed window panes, windscreens, threatened the public.As news of rioting spread, scared shopkeepers downed the shutters.
[ZESTCaste] 'Globalization is dangerous for social equality'
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=39593n_tit=Mangalore:+'Globalization+is+dangerous+for+social+equality' Sunday, October 28, 2007 Sunday, October 28, 2007 3:05:49 PM (IST) Mangalore: 'Globalization is dangerous for social equality' Local School with Global Standards Green Valley National School - Shiroor Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KD/NR) Mangalore, Oct 28: Globalisation is a big challenge to the ideologies upheld by the Indian Constitution, declared Tenkanidiyur government college lecturer Dr Gananatha Ekkar at a State level study camp of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha samiti (DSS) held here, on Saturday October 27. Dr Ekkar at the camp spoke on the new economic policy of India. While on the second day of the camp he spoke on the impact of globalization. According to him globalization has been axing the indispensable principles of Indian Constitution like equality and right against exploitation. Modernization has done little to discourage caste hierarchy. One finds globalization is uprooting the very schemes which are meant for equality including reservation policy. Modernization is a process of incorporating the elements of scientific development into human life, he pointed out. Further according to Ekkar no one is against modernization, if it is perceived in its correct sense but we have to oppose globalization which is a destructive phenomenon. Although IT development in India is taking place on a large scale, at the same time illiteracy still exists and is in-fact growing in the country. From this one can decide how dangerous globalization is, he opined. Ekkar stressed that destroying a particular language is nothing but destroying the entire life and culture. In this context, the move of introducing English language from the first standard is nothing but a plot of suppressing the cultural interests of the society, he complained. The said programme was presided over by Dalit leader S R Kollur and the Camp was organized for the members and office bearers of DSS. -- Subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a BLANK email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[ZESTCaste] Dalits, Adivasis march to Delhi (News)
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070030934ch=10/28/2007%202:39:00%20PM Dalits, Adivasis march to Delhi Saransh S Sunday, October 28, 2007 (New Delhi) Nearly 27,000 tribals including landless workers, displaced farmers, Dalits and Adivasis marched into the capital's Ramlila ground to demand their rights to land and livelihood. They marched over 300 km in the past three weeks to highlight their demands. People from 18 states, are taking part in the Janadesh rally organized by Ekta Parishad, a grassroots coalition. The protesters are pressing for a comprehensive land policy, and rights to water and forests. One of the 25 groups that began their journey from Gwalior, in their fight for their right to land water and forests, has a story to tell. ''We filed reports, attended courts but nothing happened. The patwari took a bribe from a man and alloted 8 bigha of my land in his name. And some 39 bighas are stuck in the controversy,'' said Santok Devi. And there are thousands of such stories that have spilled over on the National Highway number 2 from Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgrarh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar. Some who want to get land while there are others who are definitely hoping and looking for more. ''When these landowners see that someone strong is coming up to fight for his land rights they get them murdered,'' said Vishwas Prasad. ''My request is to establish a fast track -court so all the land-related cases can be settled within a particular time limit,'' said Devi Bhai Jharia. And then there are those who came along. ''I have land. I am a Brahmin so there's earning from Pujas,'' said Ram Charan. NDTV: What will you demand once you get to the capital? Ram Charan: I will demand land for our temple. The Government has taken over the land. But even amidst such revellery the cause is never forgotten? ''We have spoken about everything else now we have to meet the PM only. We have met everyone else. Now it's up to him to help us out,'' said Tekri Rawat, Ekta Parishad Activist.
