Rs 3.6 lakh spent to teach 2 kids-Chennai-Cities-The Times of India

Rs 3.6 lakh spent to teach 2 kids-Chennai-Cities-The Times of India

Rs 3.6 lakh spent to teach 2 kids
25 Apr 2008, 0349 hrs IST,V Mayilvaganan,TNN
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The only two students at an elementary school
The only two students at the Adi Dravida Welfare Elementary School at Dharmanathapuram (TOI Photo)
TIRUCHI: S Antony Joshua and A Akash enjoy the privilege of an expensive elementary education. The two are neither rich nor are they studying in an elite school. It is just that they are the only two students in the Adi Dravida Welfare Elementary School at Dharmanathapuram in Tiruchi, which spent about Rs 3.6 lakh this academic year for their education.

While schools in the country are struggling to achieve an ideal teacher-student ratio of 1:20, this school has been functioning with two teachers and a 1: 1 ratio. In fact, it was worse last year, with only one girl attending the school. When A Padmini too left the school after passing fifth standard, head mistress Karupayi had to undertake door-to-door canvassing to enroll students. She could convince only two parents, who after much hesitation agreed to admit their wards.

Antony and Akash studying third and second standards respectively seem to enjoy the "school" thoroughly. One reason could be the absence of a cane. "I do not punish them for fear that they too might stop coming here," says Karupayi. There were even occasions when both the children play truant on the same day and the teachers get a break.

The six-decade-old school functioning in a single room once enjoyed the patronage of parents from far off villages like Sangiliandapuram and Khajamalai. More than 400 students had studied in the school then with seven teachers to take care of them. "That was the time when Adi Dravida students were not admitted into other schools. As more schools mushroomed in the locality and started enrolling Adi Dravida students, parents chose to admit their wards into them," says Karuppayi.

The enrollment started dwindling in the last few years after cracks appeared in the school building. Students too stopped coming to the school.

District collector T Soundiah said a report on the school was sent to the Directorate of Adi Dravida Welfare. In its reply in February 2008, the Directorate agreed that it was practically impossible to run the school with just two students. It suggested the two students be transferred to a nearby school, until land for a new school building was identified.

Ambedkar

B R Ambedkar

Life and Mission
By Dhananjay KeerCourtesy & Copyright Popular Prakashan


For those of us born after 1950 Dr Ambedkar is mostly remembered to as the Father of the Indian Constitution. He is also referred to as the Savior of the Depressed Classes called Dalits today. I had always wanted to read about him but the man aroused me after I read his book'Thoughts on Pakistan'. His style is well researched, simple, straight possibly blunt. He came across as a very well read person whose thoughts are based on sound logic & matter that he had read sometime or the other. After completing the book I was in awe of the man's intellect. Where did this Man come from? Why do the depressed classes worship him today? What were the problems that he had to undergo? Why did become a Buddhist? What were his views on Ahimsa? Not knowing whether any book would satisfy my quest for knowledge I went to my favorite bookshop at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan & was fortunate to find a book by D Keer. Having read Life Story of Veer Savarkar by the same author I instinctively knew that this was the book. Dr Ambedkar is referred to as BRA & Depressed Classes as DC henceforth.
How have I compiled this piece? Done a précis of the book taking the most important events in BRA's life. Focused on the problems faced by him, his achievements, dual with Gandhi, role in India's Independence movement & framing India's Constitution, reasons for embracing Buddhism. The book also has extensive quotations from historic interviews & inspiring speeches. Have ignored aspects of Partition that are covered in essays on Patel & Savarkar. My comments start by saying Friends.
Excerpts from Preface by the Author 16/5/1954 "BRA has played the part of destiny in the liberation of suppressed humanity in India. So India must learn to understand his life, character and mission & know him as he is & not as he is distorted by his enemies or deified by his devotees. In order to help readers see the development of his mind and understand the bitterness and violence with which he attacked the old views & values that had defaced a part of humanity in this land, I have traced the events & facts in their proper context and perspective & dealt with the views of his great contemporaries with whom he came into clash. In doing so I have not remotest idea of his belittling his greatness. Every great man has his minor foibles and flaws and when he moves & struggles in a particular field, he comes into conflict with the great ones in that field". Friends hope that my précis is up to the mark, if not apologies in advance.
This piece is dedicated to Valmiki, Veda Vyasa, Sant Tukaram, Mahatma Phule, Veer Savarkar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati and lastly to the author Dhananjay Keer. He attained eminence as a biographer, in recognition of which The Govt of India conferred on him the honor of Padma Bhushan. Great Guy. This piece is divided into 27 chapters as they appear in the book.

Chapters


1.
2500 years.
Origin of untouchability, British attitude, socio-political situation in Maharashtra.
2.
Childhood & Youth
BRA's family, early education & childhood.
3.
Self-Development.
Education in U.S.A., early activism, back to London.
4.
Man of the Hour
Law practice, BRA/Gandhi/Savarkar, Organizes DC.
5.
Up Against Slavery
Mahad fight - taking water from well, Role in Bombay Legislative Council.
6.
Declaration of Independence
BRA on violence, historic Mahad conference, BRA/Gandhi/Savarkar compared.
7.
The Morning Star
Comments on Bhakti Movement, Simon Commission, Rising Star.
8.
Land, Labor, Education
Fight for education or political rights, textile strike.
9.
Before the Bar
Temple entry into Nasik, Ist R.T. Conference.
10.
War with Gandhi
Meeting with Gandhi, 2nd R.T.C., Gandhi/BRA tussel.
11.
Truce
On Gandhi, separate electorates, Gandhi BRA pact.
12.
The Real Path
Muslim approach, temple entry controversy & Constitution committee.
13.
A Thunderbolt.
Health, ready to embrace another religion, why BRA would not adopt Islam.
14.
Verdict on Hinduism.
BRA on varna & embracing Sikhism.
15.
A New Party.
Starts a new party, elections of 1937.
16.
Labor Leader
Role, why BRA did not want to adopt Christianity, noble words, comments on Gandhi.
17.
On Federation & Pakistan
Challenges Congress, compares times of Ranade & Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo's words on Gandhi/Congress, World War 2, Thoughts on Pakistan.
18.
From Dust to Doyen
Mahar battalion, Cripps Mission, BRA grows in stature.
19.
Labor Member
Super speeches, work for labor cause, BRA routed in elections.
20.
Spell on Constituent Assembly
Dispute with Congress, depressed + great speeches.
21
Modern Manu
Results of partition, constitution work, BRA praised.
22.
Shadow of Buddhism.
Increasing popularity, back to Buddhism.
23.
Back to the Opposition.
Hindu code bill, resigns, defeated in elections, conferred doctorate.
24.
Govt on the Anvil
No linguistic states, on foreign policy.
25.
Old Age
What did BRA achieve, contribution to Hinduism, knowing BRA the man.
26.
Revival of Buddhism
Promoting Buddhism, thoughts on Buddhism and BRA converts. (a Must Read).
27.
The Last Journey
End / Tributes / Thoughts.




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1,000 Dalit Christians to reconvert to Hinduism in TN-India-The Times of India

1,000 Dalit Christians to reconvert to Hinduism in TN-India-The Times of India

1,000 Dalit Christians to reconvert to Hinduism in TN 13 Apr 2008, 0215 hrs IST,T S SREENIVASA RAGHAVAN,TNN Print Save EMail Write to Editor CHENNAI: Thousand members who belong to Dalit Christian community will officially get reconverted into Hinduism on Monday in Tirunelveli town in a colourful function being organized by Hindu Monks Tamil Nadu Council. This event gains significance in the backdrop March 9 police shootout in which two people were killed when clashes broke out between the members of upper caste Catholics and Dalit Catholics. Speaking to TOI, Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) president Arjun Sampath said: "185 families of Dalit Christians will formally return to Hinduism. All of them hail from the interior villages of Tirunelveli district. This event is being organized on the occasion of Ambedkar’s birthday." HMK had earlier tried to hold the event at Nellayappar temple in Tirunelveli. However, the HR&CE department which governs the temple refused permission saying that the temple premises could not be used for such purposes. "So, we’re now holding the function at Nellai Sangeetha Sabha - which is a private hall", Arjun said. It’s learnt the function will start with a ganapathi homam and would be followed by prayaschitha yagam (atonement ritual) and sudhi chadangu (purification rite) "We’ll purify all those who return to Hinduism by sprinkling ‘ganga theertha’ and ‘sethu theertha.’ We’ve specially brought waters from Rameshwaram sea and the Ganges for this purpose", Arjun said and added all of them would also be bestowed with holy Hindu names. Further, those who want to follow Saiva cult would be given bhasmam (sacred ash) and a string of rudraksha while the vaishnavite converts would be given namam (tilak) and a string of tulsi. The Dalit Christians who return to Hindu fold would also be given a mantra deeksha (formal initiation) both in Sanskrit and Tamil. HMK has also engaged the services of several notaries who would be present during the re-conversion function. "The members who return to Hindu fold will take an oath before them and sign affidavits. Later, we’ll get the conversion certificates from Arya Samaj to get their names changed in the gazette", Arjun said. Depending on the success of this re-conversion, HMK also plans to re-convert 20,000 Christians in Villupuram district. "We’ll take it up in August", Arjun said. India has a total 24 million Christian population. Of this Dalit Christians constitute 15 million while tribal Christians account for 3 million. In Tamil Nadu, Dalit Christians complain of discrimination at the hands of upper caste Christians. They have separate burial grounds and seating arrangements.