Saturday, October 2, 2010

Launching of Samajik Parivartan Yatra

Launching of Samajik Parivartan Yatra
(For Eradication of Manual Scavenging in India)

Press Release

The Samajik Parivartan Yatra has been flagged off on Wednesday 29th Septmber, 2010 in New Delhi. The liberated safai karmacharis Saroj, Maya Goutam, Anita,Neetu and Mamata from various states released the route maps and demands to symbolise the beginning of Yatra.

Speaking on the occasion, Saroj and others shared their own experiences of pain and suffering associated with manual scavenging. They narrated how they were inducted into the degrading jobs by their mothers or mother-in-laws, who were doing the same jobs from generation to generation. They explained how the dry latrine owners and users and the general public practised untouchability on them. Now that they have stopped doing the manual scavenging work, they feel liberated and are determined to carry the message to all other safai karamcharis in their respective districts and states. Saroja vowed not to rest until the last person is liberated from manual scavenging in this country. They are proud of their participation in rallies, dharnas and burning the baskets, the symbols of the shame of manual scavenging.

Mr. Harsh Mander, renowned intellectual, Social Activist and member of the National Advisory Council commended SKA for mobilising the safai karmacharis and inspiring them to accomplish their liberation and simultaneously enabling the country as a whole to envision a manual scavenging free India. He appreciated SKA for taking the path of persuasion and adopting the legal route to achieve their noble goal, in a non-violent way.

Ms. Usha Ramanathan, an accomplished legal expert and Legal Reform Activist felt that the struggle of Safai Karmacharis under the leadership of SKA will go down in history as phenomenal. A hitherto voiceless people have rallied together from the nooks and corners of India and have made tremendous progress within a short span of time to achieve near total eradication of manual scavenging.

Samajik Parivartan Yatra_routes released by liberated Safai Karmacharis in New Delhi Press club.jpg Saroj,Mamata,Maya,Netu,Anita release Posters.JPG

Saroj,Anita,Maya,Neetu and Mamata launching Samajik Parivartan Yatra & releasing posters

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