Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g11JLVu03142; Fri, 1 Feb 2002 14:21:31 -0500 (EST) Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2002 14:21:31 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <F112KMunsHnITS3Pc2v000128f6@hotmail.com> Errors-To: alcrsb@langate.gsu.edu Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "blue birds" <bluebirds1979@hotmail.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:1938] Re: Fwd: state of union and more X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Status: O Content-Length: 4172 Lines: 74 Wow, A great deal of discussion is taking place and I welcome the openess of this group towards learning and growth.With regards to Caste System, it is unfortunate that we have not yet conquered yet, but I am sure it will take place. If we look into the Indian Hisotry and Vedic Literature, the caste system is twisted into its present from the what sage called Manu introduced as "division of labor" among Indian Society into four categories. Sage Manu also told that individuals has the right to choose the profession or category where they feel like. But the orignial form has been twisted into its present system for the past three hundred years, thanks to Aryan and Dravidian Movement as well as British Colonialists who capatilized the friction. However one should be delighed to know that India has made greater progress in the fight against caste since independence. Indian Govt and the leaders have placed their moral power behind the law. From the Prime Minister down to the village councilmen, everybody declares publicaly that caste system is wrong, which surprises several of my well-meaning western friends, when I tell them or see it for themselves.The govt has also thrown its full weight behind the program of giving those said to be in the lower caste equal chance in society-especially when it comes to job opportunities, eduacation and housing.Of course there are great problems India is grappling with. Andrea, I agree with Ujwala, which I am sure you would too that there is great deal of Indian brain and machinery power which is yet to be tapped by others. For example there is a great movement in India that is almost unknown in America or elsewhere. At its cerner is the campaign for land reform known as BHOODAN. If it is fully and effectively implemented, which is happening slowly, it would solve India's great economic and social change by informed consent, not by force. The idea of Bhoodan is self-sufficency. The program are envisioned as follows: 1) PERSUADING large landonwers to give up some of their holding to landless peasants 2) PERSUADING small land owners to give up some of thier individual ownership for common cooperative ownership by the villages (known as Panchat Raj) 3) ENCOURAGING farmers and villagers to spin and weave the cloth for their cloths during their spare time of agricultural pursuits. Since these measures would answer the questions of employment, food and clothing, the village could then, through cooperative action make just about everything that it would need or get it through bartering and exchange from other villages. Accordingly each village would be virtually self-sufficient and would thus free itself from the domination of the urban centers that are today drawing the people away from the rural lareas, concentrating them in city slums and debauching then with urban vices. At least this is the concept under which India's five year plan and other federal programmes operate. Such ideas sound strange and archaic to Western ears. After 55 years of Indian Independence I could cautiously say that Indians have achieved greater results with having to have to resort to much of external help. For examples millions of acres of land have been given up by rich landlords and additional million of acres of land have been gen up to cooperative management by small farmers. Andrea, I do agree that we surely do have the answer for all of problems and India do certainly need help. She must have outside capital and the techmical know-how. It is in the interest of the United States and West to help supply these needs and NOT ATTACH STRINGS TO THE GIFTS. Whatever we do to the rest of the world should be done in a spirit of international brotherhood, national selffishness. It should be done not merely because it is diplomatically expedient, but because it is morally correct. We should help other nations which is in need of help, including India by preserving her souldand thus help to save our own. _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
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