A temple dedicated to 'Goddess English' is coming up and mind you its not in an English county but in a nondescript village in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri district with an aim of encouraging the local Dalits to learn the language.
The temple, a single storey structure covered with black granite, would have an over-three-feet-tall idol of 'Dalit Goddess English" installed on a pedestal in the shape of a computer holding a pen, a copy of the Indian Constitution and donning a gown and a hat.
The temple in Banka village, whose construction began in April this year with the help of funds collected from well-wishers, was set to be inaugurated on 25th October to coincide with the birth anniversary of Lord Macaulay, whose attempts at Dalit empowerment are appreciated by the community.
But because of some problems, it will now be inaugurated in November, Chandra Bhan Prasad, the brain behind the temple, said.
The idol has been inspired by the Statue of Liberty and the computer screen would have a dharma chakra (a Buddhist symbol).
"When it was being debated as to what should be the national language of India after independence, Dr Ambedkar was the only national leader who vociferously batted for English while all the others were against it.
And on Wednesday we see the imbalances caused in the society because of English as those who do not know it are left behind," he said.
Prasad said that the temple is being built to popularise English among Dalits, who form a sizeable number in not just the village but also in the area, so that they can move ahead in their lives.
"This temple would help encourage them to learn the language which has become essential for one's growth as in 20 years' time, no decent job would be available without English knowledge," Prasad said.
"In future, the temple would become the focus of Dalits with most of their rituals like the ones relating to births and weddings revolving around it," he said.
The site for the temple is the Dalit-run Nalanda Public Shiksha Niketan.
The temple would be run by a trust, Prasad said.
"To give a touch of modernity, the engravings of symbols and formulae of physics, chemistry, mathematics and English sayings would adorn the walls.
Efforts are also being made to build the staircase of the temple in the form of a computer keyboard," he said.
The locals have also composed a song which would be played everyday during prayers, Prasad said.
----taken from ddinews.com
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Simla to be declared smoking free
Popular hill resort Shimla, once the summer capital of British India known for imported cigarettes and cigars, has been declared "smoking-free city".
Making the announcement at the state level Gandhi Jayanti function at the Ridge in Shimla on Saturday, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Shimla would be the fourth city after Kottayam in Kerala, Chandigarh and Sikkim to be declared smoking-free".
"All district headquarters would be made smoking-free by the end of May next year and a sustain campaign would be launched against drugs, liquor and smoking", he added.
He said smoking in public places and sale of tobacco product had been banned within 100 yards radius of all educational institutions and selling tobacco or tobacco products to minors and direct or indirect advertisement of tobacco had been made an offence.
The Chief Minister also announced setting up of de-addiction centres at all district hospitals where five beds would be reserved for patients for de-addiction.
This facility is now available only in government medical colleges at Shimla and Tanda.
Reiterating governments commitment to save the society, especially the youth, from all types of addictions, Dhumal said that in addition to strict legal provisions to curb drug addiction, overwhelming support of the society was imperative.
"An international agency in South East Asia had conducted a survey of Shimla town in May this year and found that 97 percent area of the town was smoking-free, warning hoardings were erected at 80 percent of public areas and no signs of cigarettes were detected in 94 percent of the area of the town," the Chief Minister said, adding over 4,000 persons had been challaned for smoking in prohibited areas and Rs. 8 lakh collected as fine from offenders.
- from ddinews.gov.in
Making the announcement at the state level Gandhi Jayanti function at the Ridge in Shimla on Saturday, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Shimla would be the fourth city after Kottayam in Kerala, Chandigarh and Sikkim to be declared smoking-free".
"All district headquarters would be made smoking-free by the end of May next year and a sustain campaign would be launched against drugs, liquor and smoking", he added.
He said smoking in public places and sale of tobacco product had been banned within 100 yards radius of all educational institutions and selling tobacco or tobacco products to minors and direct or indirect advertisement of tobacco had been made an offence.
The Chief Minister also announced setting up of de-addiction centres at all district hospitals where five beds would be reserved for patients for de-addiction.
This facility is now available only in government medical colleges at Shimla and Tanda.
Reiterating governments commitment to save the society, especially the youth, from all types of addictions, Dhumal said that in addition to strict legal provisions to curb drug addiction, overwhelming support of the society was imperative.
"An international agency in South East Asia had conducted a survey of Shimla town in May this year and found that 97 percent area of the town was smoking-free, warning hoardings were erected at 80 percent of public areas and no signs of cigarettes were detected in 94 percent of the area of the town," the Chief Minister said, adding over 4,000 persons had been challaned for smoking in prohibited areas and Rs. 8 lakh collected as fine from offenders.
- from ddinews.gov.in
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Community Radio Station in Harayana
Considered as one of the backward regions in Haryana, Mewat is all set to get its first community radio station that will focus on women empowerment, education and development in the district.
A Delhi-based NGO, SMART, working in the district since last eight years will launch the station in the second week of October which will have a reach of around 20 kms and will cover 50 to 60 per cent of the total villages in Mewat.
"Women have a low status in Mewat society. They are married when they are just kids and do not have a space in the development here. We will make them aware of their rights through our radio," says Archna Kapoor, General Secretary of SMART.
"We will aim to make women ready and bring them in panchayats so that they can assert their rights and get equal share as men in all spheres," she says.
The testing of the radio station is already underway since 1st September and a team of professionals is training the locals in reporting and producing the radio programmes.
"Local volunteers are coming out to learn the new experience. Villagers get thrilled on hearing their voice on radio sets. We are mobilizing the community," says Kapoor.
Mewat was carved out as the 20th district by Haryana government in 2005. People here are mainly dependent on the agriculture and the region is under-developed despite being close to New Delhi and Gurgaon.
"The main reason for Mewat's backwardness is that the information of welfare and developmental schemes does not reach the people. We will tell people about those schemes and act as a bridge between people and the administration," says Kapoor.
With the tag line 'Teri Baat Meri Baat, Suno Radio Mewat', the community radio aims to start a dialogue in the otherwise conservative society in the district. We want the people to get up and make their voice heard to the administration, says Kapoor.
Apart from women empowerment, education and development will also be the focus of the programmes made by the radio.
"We have to start an overall change. Literacy is as low as 29 per cent in females and 44 per cent in men on Mewat. There are problems of water, sanitation also," says Kapoor.
The NGO plans to apply for a booster once the radio station goes on the air and aims to cover all the 512 villages in the district.
A Delhi-based NGO, SMART, working in the district since last eight years will launch the station in the second week of October which will have a reach of around 20 kms and will cover 50 to 60 per cent of the total villages in Mewat.
"Women have a low status in Mewat society. They are married when they are just kids and do not have a space in the development here. We will make them aware of their rights through our radio," says Archna Kapoor, General Secretary of SMART.
"We will aim to make women ready and bring them in panchayats so that they can assert their rights and get equal share as men in all spheres," she says.
The testing of the radio station is already underway since 1st September and a team of professionals is training the locals in reporting and producing the radio programmes.
"Local volunteers are coming out to learn the new experience. Villagers get thrilled on hearing their voice on radio sets. We are mobilizing the community," says Kapoor.
Mewat was carved out as the 20th district by Haryana government in 2005. People here are mainly dependent on the agriculture and the region is under-developed despite being close to New Delhi and Gurgaon.
"The main reason for Mewat's backwardness is that the information of welfare and developmental schemes does not reach the people. We will tell people about those schemes and act as a bridge between people and the administration," says Kapoor.
With the tag line 'Teri Baat Meri Baat, Suno Radio Mewat', the community radio aims to start a dialogue in the otherwise conservative society in the district. We want the people to get up and make their voice heard to the administration, says Kapoor.
Apart from women empowerment, education and development will also be the focus of the programmes made by the radio.
"We have to start an overall change. Literacy is as low as 29 per cent in females and 44 per cent in men on Mewat. There are problems of water, sanitation also," says Kapoor.
The NGO plans to apply for a booster once the radio station goes on the air and aims to cover all the 512 villages in the district.
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