In a recent example of India’s horrific caste system, a 16-year-old Dalit school boy died after he was thrashed almost unconscious in front of other students by an upper caste teacher for writing a poem to an upper caste girl. He was also beaten by family members of the girl the next day, found semi-conscious and taken to hospital where he later died. Local leaders have sought an inquiry into the incident as the police appear to be siding with the upper caste girl’s family and the teacher. ->> MeriNews | Read the Full Story
The class ceiling
India’s 17 years of economic change have widened the gap between rich and poor. More than a quarter of the population lives below the official poverty line, subsisting on roughly $US1 ($1.04) a day; one in four city dwellers lives on less than 50 cents a day; and nearly half of all children are malnourished. ->> SMH | Read the Full Story
Uttar Pradesh is not Somalia – or is it?
Children do die from malnutrition in Uttar Pradesh. The latest was two-year-old Sahabuddin, who died May 31, 2008. He lived with his parents in Dhannipur village in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. His parents were too poor to feed Sahabuddin – he weighed only six kilograms when he died. This is Grade III malnutrition, a condition that the world hears of in places like Somalia.
Children of a lesser God
June 19: The largest number of child labourers in the country are from Uttar Pradesh despite anti-child labour schemes in place since the 1980s. And this is not an allegation by activists but the finding of a report released by the UP government ~ The State of Children in Uttar Pradesh. The Statesman | Read more…
L’Arche de Dolanji funds 220 meals daily
Toward the end of 2007 we were extremely worried that the children’s food funding was ending in February 2008 and that we hadn’t been able to find a sponsor. Then a miracle occurred:
Dalits in U.P. Face Hunger Deaths and Suicides
9 May, 2008: Dalits in U.P. Face Hunger Deaths and Suicides: When George Bush is admonishing India for eating too much, Dalits in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh face hunger deaths and suicides. Countercurrents.org | Read the Full Story |
Amistad Intl: A Benefit for Buddha’s Smile School
On June 7 and 13, Amistad International will be staging a special Concert and Art Auction in New York City for Buddha’s Smile School. Performers include a mix of world, jazz, rock, and contemporary classical musicians combines with an extensive group of well know artists.
Fourteen Students Graduate in 2008
2008 marks a momentous landmark for BSS. Our first batch of students graduate this year to Government secondary school and hopefully on to University. These 14 students, who could not read or write, now devote any time they can manage to their studies and have become role models for the younger students.
School principal accused of abusing Dalit student
April 14th, 2008 School principal accused of abusing Dalit student: In his complaint to the police, Prem Narayan alleged that when he approached the institute for admission on March 28, he was asked to pay Rs.45,000 as donation. On expressing his inability to pay the amount, he was asked to come the next day. When more…