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RASHTRIYA DALIT PRERNA STHAL
Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal ( National Dalit
Inspiration Complex) built by the Government of UP
at the Delhi – UP border on the banks of the Jamuna
river in the district Gautam Buddha Nagar (NOIDA) is
being dedicated to the
people today the October 14, 2011 by Kumari Mayawati,
Chief Minister of UP. It has been reported that the
Sthal will be an important landmark in the National
Capital Region of Delhi, built at a considerable
cost of Rs.700 crores, not only for the empowerment
of the dalits but also serve as a green space from
the ecological needs of the area which is otherwise
polluted.
The Rashtriya Dalit Prerna sthal is located on the
eastern bank of the river Jamuna. It is only
befitting to have a deserving memorial and monument
for the dalit leadership at this venue as they could
not get any slot (except Samta Sthal dedicated to
Babu Jagjivan Ram) on the other side at the west
bank of the river where all other important
memorials of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Charan Singh and
others have been hosted by the Government of India.
Kumari Mayawati has done a good job in this regard.
There is some ill-conceived criticism of the money
spent by the UP Government on the Sthal. But the
criticism is biased. It is time to understand the
underlying current in the society at large. The
oppressed and depressed must find their space and
voice in the democratic India. The sooner the
better.
Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal at the gateway of NOIDA,
an important and upcoming hub of economic and
educational establishments just at the door steps of
the capital of India, Delhi would tend to send a
strong positive signal not only to the younger
generations of India about the role and place of
dalits in the society but also serve as a touristic
spot for the national and international tourists.
The expenditure on building such an important
attraction may be justified, keeping the benefits of
dalit chetna and inspiration on one side and
ecological and touristic on the other. It would
serve as one big step towards the much needed social
transformation.
By. Mr. Ramesh Chander, Retired Indian Diplomat |
