It's the 206th birth anniversary of Lord Macaulay, the man who introduced English teaching in India. Dalit activists use the occasion to hail their new goddess.
This week was marked by an unusual event in the national Capital. The birthday celebrations of Lord Macaulay held by leading Dalit activists.
Dalit poet Parakh recites, “Jai English devi maa, tum se hi to mera maan badhega, smman badhega. "
Parakh is a poet associated with Dalit movement and he is reciting what can be called an ode to his muse – the English language, which he terms as the Dalit goddess.
Her portrait was unveiled last week on the occasion of the 206th birthday of Lord Macaulay, the man who introduced English language in India.
Author and Dalit activist Chandrabhan Prasad, says, “The English speaking Dalits will not clean roads and gutters. The English speaking Dalits will be modern will be decently employed and that’s why we want that every Dalit must learn English.”
Antara Dev Sen publishes the Little Magazine that publishes vernacular works translated to English. She finds nothing wrong with the Dalits' exaltation of the English language.
Sen says, “English gives you access across the country and even outside. But it's one thing to say that English is important and another to celebrate Macaualy birthday. Its great fun to watch this, and I think its all done with a good sense of humour.”
But for the Dalit intellectuals it's a serious issue, even provocative.
Prasad says, “They talk to their dogs in English and want Dalits to stay away from it."
Celebrating Lord Macaulay's birthday might seem odd to many, but it also marks the birth of a bold entity in Indian society – the English-speaking Dalit, who cares little for the existing political correctness.
This week was marked by an unusual event in the national Capital. The birthday celebrations of Lord Macaulay held by leading Dalit activists.
Dalit poet Parakh recites, “Jai English devi maa, tum se hi to mera maan badhega, smman badhega. "
Parakh is a poet associated with Dalit movement and he is reciting what can be called an ode to his muse – the English language, which he terms as the Dalit goddess.
Her portrait was unveiled last week on the occasion of the 206th birthday of Lord Macaulay, the man who introduced English language in India.
Author and Dalit activist Chandrabhan Prasad, says, “The English speaking Dalits will not clean roads and gutters. The English speaking Dalits will be modern will be decently employed and that’s why we want that every Dalit must learn English.”
Antara Dev Sen publishes the Little Magazine that publishes vernacular works translated to English. She finds nothing wrong with the Dalits' exaltation of the English language.
Sen says, “English gives you access across the country and even outside. But it's one thing to say that English is important and another to celebrate Macaualy birthday. Its great fun to watch this, and I think its all done with a good sense of humour.”
But for the Dalit intellectuals it's a serious issue, even provocative.
Prasad says, “They talk to their dogs in English and want Dalits to stay away from it."
Celebrating Lord Macaulay's birthday might seem odd to many, but it also marks the birth of a bold entity in Indian society – the English-speaking Dalit, who cares little for the existing political correctness.