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New Delhi, 2 November 2008. In order to strengthen the message of NACDOR's Dalit Shiksha Abhiyaan and to share and learn from peer experiences, more than 40 young dalit youth, including 26 students of Delhi University, held their second workshop in NACDOR Office in Model Town in New Delhi. The workshop discussed the issue of Reservation in Private Sector. The workshop aimed at understanding the macro and micro level issues that Dalit youth face when then interact with the larger society. Many young Dalits complained about the hostitlity that they face in colleges once their identity is disclosed. Sangita (name changed) is a young and smart girl born in a Dalit family. Her father is a clerk. She is articulate and assertive and hence faced no difficulty in becoming a equal voice in her peer group. One-day, her friend, an upper caste girl, from the similar background visited her house. She saw Dr. Ambedkar's photo in Sangita's house. Sangita's friend left her house feeling little uncomfortable. 'Next day attitude of the whole peer group was dismissive and contemptous' told Sangita in confidence. This is not an isolated story. There are number of such cases. However, issue is not about complaining but to fight back such attitudes and steriotypes. This is what Dalit Shiksha Abhiyan by NACDOR is doing by improving skills, confidence and peer learning among the Dalit Youth. Began with in May this year with 2 students, Dalit Shiksha Abhiyan has now a membership of 40 Young Dalit Boys and Girls studying in Delhi and more willing to join. NACDOR's Dalit Shiksha Abhiyan Team comprising of Education Head Mrs. Anita Gujrati, a B.A. first year student Amita and an MA student Neha working towards identifying latent talent of this groups and encourage them to develop to become a role model for the others. Some of these students would be talking on NACDOR's Radio programme on reservation in private sector on 19th November 2008 on All India FM rainbow at 102.6 at 4.30 PM (India Time). Writings and report of some of these Dalit Young students have found space in ABHIMOOKNAYAK, a monthly newspaper published by from New Delhi. NACDOR is working to pass on ts leadership to this young generation to take forward the Dalit Movement. - Ashok Bharti -- National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) M-3/22, Model Town-III, Delhi 110009 INDIA Telephone: +91-11-27419002 Fax: +91-11-27442744 website: www.nacdor.org
