E-Paper
Thorat calls for understanding forces of discrimination
PROF SUKHADEO Thorat, Chairman, University Grants Commission has expressed concern that the issues like social exclusion have not been the part of economic analysis.
PROF SUKHADEO Thorat, Chairman, University Grants Commission has expressed concern that the issues like social exclusion have not been the part of economic analysis.
Prof Thorat said this while speaking after inaugurating the Dalit Resource Centre (DRC) at GB Pant Social Science Institute (GBPSSI) at Jhusi on Friday.
According to him, social exclusion is related to group identity and not with poverty.
He called for understanding of the forces of discrimination and exclusion of different groups.
Prof Thorat further referred to the works of various scholars in the field as that of Prof Dahiwale of Department of Sociology, University of Pune, who in his book delineated about how the perspective of such groups differs from the mainstream thinking and the comprehensive economic analysis of the caste done by Ambedkar and also by the Maharashtra Dalit Literary Movement.
He also elaborated at length how such groups construct their own reality.
Prof Thorat welcomed the initiative of setting up of Dalit Resource Centre at GB Pant Institute and congratulated the Institute for its commendable efforts in preparing life histories, social biographies, and collecting Dalit popular booklets.
Prof Rajen Harshe, Vice-Chancellor, University of Allahabad presided over the function.
He expressed concern over the exclusionary trend which is all pervasive and stressed that such works be guided by theoretical understanding and empirical soundness.
In his brief introductory note Prof RC Tripathi, director of the institute, encapsulated the ongoing activities of the institute since 25 years. Dr Badri Narain Tewari, coordinator of Dalit Resource Centre, gave a brief presentation of the project and the activities it undertook.
The programme also included performances of some eminent Dalits like Guruprasad Madan and Mahant who presented a glimpse of their work through reciting their poems. Asu Mian enthralled all by his flute recital.A vote of thanks was presented by Dr Sunit Singh.
