Changing religion and belief does not change the lives of poor: Kerala Governor at Dalit Progress Conclave

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said that changing religion and belief does not change the basic living conditions of the poor. The Governor was inaugurating the one-day Dalit Progress Conclave organized in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the completion of 15 years of Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala's Gandhi Gramam project.

The biggest failure is not taking the progress of the Dalit backward classes seriously. Social progress can be achieved only if the attitude of the people of the country changes. It is because of this that the social progress of the Dalit sections in India is still far away.

Dr. Ambedkar was one of the greatest men India has seen. Ambedkar's Jayanti is celebrated only by the Dalit sections in India. It should be celebrated by all Indians. The Governor said that his life and message take him beyond the Bharat Ratna to the Vishwa Ratna.

The Governor released Ramesh Chennithala's book on Gandhigram. Kodikunnil Suresh MP and Padma Shri awardee Lakshmikuttyamma were honoured at the function. Ramesh Chennithala presided over the function. Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan delivered the keynote address. Jignesh Mevani MLA, J. Sudhakaran, M.R. Thampan and others spoke.

'Dalit enterprises should be encouraged'

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's grandson and Dalit movement leader Prakash Ambedkar said that Dalits in India need to be freed from mental slavery. He was speaking at the Dalit Progress Conclave. A special banking system should be introduced to encourage Dalit enterprises. He also said that it should be changed to 95 percent loan and five percent security.

Thirumavalavan MP said that the term Dalit is something that unites the oppressed and should not be thought of as something derogatory. Telangana Minister Dansari Anasuya said that the Dalit tribal community has survived all the atrocities it has faced by standing together.

The main objective of the Gandhi Gramam programme is to uplift rural areas by addressing various social, economic, and infrastructural challenges faced by rural communities. It focuses on improving the overall quality of life and creating sustainable development opportunities in rural areas of Kerala.