India Untouched screened at DCE!
India Untouched @ DCE
Date: 27th October Time: 5:30 – 8:00 p.m Delhi College of Engineering
The movie screening at DCE started off with a very brief introduction about SMILE, Pravah and the theme of the movie. An enthusiastic crowd of around 20-25 people turned up for the screening.
The movie India Untouched explores the prevalence of caste in contemporary India among people from different religions, geographical areas and cultural backgrounds. Award winning director Stalin.K had put in 4 years of research for making the movie, showing us how widespread and real the Dalit oppression is contrary to what we may believe.
A brief but quite intense discussion followed the screening and quite a few points and issues were raised.
Most acknowledged this was an eye-opener and they weren’t aware of the magnitude and implications of caste segregations.
Someone pointed out that in their college itself in some cases people of same communities/castes only bonded among themselves. Also if people found out that someone was from a backward community they wouldn’t befriend him/her.
The point of local leaders and authorities exploiting caste segregations for their vested interests was also raised.
Someone also confessed that he was personally against reservation before seeing the movie but now is pro-reservation because even if reservation benefits a fraction of the oppressed and needy it’s a big step forward and is essential.
It was said that it was almost impossible to get completely rid of the caste discriminations or notions of ‘superiority’ and ‘inferiority’ as they were very deep- rooted in our minds but we could work to bridge the gap between people by making sure that the discriminated were granted opportunities to excel and discover their potential.
Someone said that the only way to combat this was to make people think rationally and to question established structures instead of blindly following them.
Thus the process of self-introspection and questioning norms got underway. It was concluded by initiating discussions on what we can personally do get rid of these stigmas. The importance of spreading awareness and instilling in ourselves and those around us a rational mindset and a feeling of tolerance was emphasised.
This led to explaining the SMILE process and how it helps in understanding and comprehending all these issues better. It was wrapped up by showing the SMILE video and distributing R.I pamphlets. We hope to continue our association with DCE.
Keep :)ing..................
SMILE’rs
Posted in: action project 2009, Delhi College of Engineering, india untouched on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at at 1:20 AM
This is how changes really comes. It doesnt really come with acts of voilence or even baseless propoganda. It comes with initiative, od intennt and creativity. Its great to see the involvement of smile and the peopel asoociated with it.And as Mahatma Gandhi Once quoted" we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
great job , Fantastic post ... keep smiling
I would like to add a point here that providing opportunities to educate the Dalit people can be a very helpful factor in removing the caste discrimination in India. But something more that i felt after watching the movie was that the gap, rather the bridge, between the so called 'superior' and 'inferior' castes has to crossed from both sides because caste discrimination is being fed into the minds of younger generation from both sides of the society i.e.the Dalits as well.
Young children are being taught to discriminate and to follow the established mindset of discriminating rather than believing that every person is equal and deserves the same rights in the society.
Loved the movie.
Keep :-)ling
Hey guys.. great work... really really inspiring:)
and Saurabh .. it is interesting what you said that young people ( children) dalit and non dalit are both being taught to discriminate....
Just a question.. who do you think needs to be taking the steps to remove this.. and what according to you should be the steps?