THE DALIT CHETNA - A Point of View

ThePrakash Utsab (Birth Anniversary) of Guru Ravidassji fell on February 7 which was
was celebrated by the followers of the great Guru with gaiety and solemnity.
The celebrations continue depending on the time and schedule of the various organizations
to pay homage and tributes to Guru Ravidassji. In other words, the dalit chetna is getting demonstrated. The dalit followers and rightly gladly so are interested increasingly in associating themselves with the Guru who was the fore-bearer of the flag of revolt and change against the uncivilized and inhuman treatment of the poor masses of the lower strata of the society. I would like to mention about the two such events and celebrations in which I participated.

TheSocial Awareness Forum of Punjab held its Annual Family Day function atPhagwara on February 25. The Day was dedicated to the memory of Guru Ravidassji. I was the Guest Speaker at the function on the theme ‘Relevance of the Sant Andolan in the present scenario ‘. It was a well organized and well attended function which was presided over by the President of the Social Awareness ForumJagdish Chander Virdi, Engineer at one of the Punjab Government Departments atLudhiana and the Chief Guest at the function was Sodhi Mall, Additional Director of Factories in the Government of Punjab. I found both Jagdish Virdi and Sodhi Mall gentlemen to the core and amicable personalities fully involved in the community matters while delivering positively at their respective important Government positions which they are holding. Being a faceless diplomat throughout my career, I don’t know whether I could do justice to the theme of the speech but I enjoyed my presence and inter action at the function. It turned out to be some fresh air in the routine of such functions. The present members of the Forum introduced themselves with their families. The introduction set the mood and direction of the function. The audience comprised
of ‘ who is who “ of the dalit community in and around Phagwara which included doctors, engineers, bankers, teachers, retired senior officers, businessmen, recognized state and nation level players and young and upcoming students. Both President of the Forum Virdi and Chief Guest Mall spoke informally and briefly unlike the general trend of sticking to the mike. The young students were honored with souvenirs by the Forum like in the previous years. I was informed that the Social Awareness Forum apart from providing the glue and platform to the educated sections of the community to get-together is also providing medical and financial help to the needy. The second session of the event was informal and enjoyable from the cultural point of view. The young lady artist besides singing the spiritual and devotional numbers also did well in providing a good cultural interlude. Col. Shankar Singh and Dr. Balkar Chand recited poetry and entertained the audience. It was a good change from the routine format of the function. The flow of snacks throughout the function
was unhindered and the dinner was good with warm hospitality by the organizers. I must say that the function was a success and helped in generating much needed awareness and fresh air - a healthy trend. My congratulations to the Social Awareness Forum. We need more such organizations.

Thesecond function I attended was the one organized by the Guru Ravidass Sabha of Deol Nagar in Jalandhar on February 26 to celebrate the Gurupurab of the great Guru. It was a good and clean function with the kirtan darbar of high rendition and a well prepared langar. I could see and feel the air of harmony and brotherhood flowing freely among the residents of Doel Nagar without any superfluous feeling of caste and creed. The jaikaras of JO BOLE SO NIHAL and JO BOLE SO NIRBHAY succeeded in clearing the air. It was the real tribute to the memory of Guru Ravidassji. My congratulations and thanks to President of the Sabha Malkiat Singh and other organizers who very kindly provided me an opportunity to speak and pay my humble tribute to the great Guru Ravidassji.
The dalit Chetna is emerging and shall find a due space and place in the society at
large.