http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/82/201007042010070401502576272ca721d/Pray-it%E2%80%99s-Goddess-English.html
Pray, it’s Goddess English In Uttar Pradesh, ABCD has found an unmatched reverence with a temple being built in its name Vikas.Hotwani Posted On Sunday, July 04, 2010 at 01:50:25 AM When a Dalit baby is born in the Lakhinpur Kheri district of UP, someone from the family whispers ABCD in his left ear and 1,2,3,4 in the right. Amusing as it may sound, this is the newborn’s first brush with the ‘alchemist’ language. In a society where caste difference rears its ugly head every now and then, the language of science has risen to a level worthy of veneration. It’s not just a passport to success, but a ‘Goddess’ who stands witness to nuptials where couples pledge English education for their future children. The latest show of appreciation is an under-construction temple dedicated to the Goddess. “Once a mother starts worshipping Goddess English, her child will embrace the language too. And when there’s a demand (for English and education at large) from parents, the schools are bound to improve as well,” says Dalit activist and sociologist Chandra Bhan Prasad, the man behind this endeavour. In a country where Gods and Goddesses are seldom questioned, devotees feel that attaching a pious identity to the modern language is the easiest way to slip it into the realms of everyday life. Thereby, comes into play the meticulously scripted idol of the Goddess. Holding a pen in one hand and the Indian Constitution (crafted by a Dalit Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar himself) in the other, the two-and-a-half feet bronze idol stands atop a computer whose screen bears the Dhamma Chakra. The temple’s blueprint echoes the importance of technical knowledge to accompany the language of science. “The front two pillars will stand on computer-shaped blocks, the steps will replicate a keyboard and the roof shall unfold like a book,” explains Prasad. The construction that started a fortnight back aims to be completed by October 25, the birthday of late Lord Macaulay, the man who initiated English into India. Even as the temple comes up in the premises of the Nalanda Public School, the Goddess that rests in the principal’s office already has worshippers making a beeline for darshan. The success stories of those who were ‘blessed’ by this language are there for everyone to see. Each one wants a share of the aspired life. The veneration is visible in the humble donations that keep trickling in. “Some even donate small quintals of wheat,” says Prasad. In the presence of handful activists, scholars, teachers and many locals, the foundation stone of the 800 sq ft temple was laid with a simple ceremony. The women got together and sung praises to their new Goddess. “The idea is to not get caught in rituals. Not that they are any measures of devotion any way,” adds Prasad. The temple is slowly turning into a flag-bearer of awakening, a standing ‘instruction’ for the 500-odd children of the school (and their parents) of the tried-and-tested formula of success — study English. As Prasad sums it, “To us, native languages such as Hindi and Marathi are like night soil. We don’t want to carry night soils on our heads any more. After all, even the government has banned that practice.” Once a mother starts worshipping Goddess English, her child will embrace the language ------------------------------------ ---- INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/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: zestcaste-dig...@yahoogroups.com zestcaste-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: zestcaste-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/