Recently I started reading a book called “Aboriginal Reconciliation” by Justin Healy which talks about issues and how the reconciliation started amongst the other Australians and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
I was struck by a thought while reading the fact sheet about the same. What about the country I belonged to? Is inclusiveness not an issue there?Are we yet talking about it? Coming from NOT FOR PROFIT sector myself, I think most of us focus on charity and bringing the underprivileged to the other side of line. I was just thinking about the matter of giving each section and category of the society an opportunity!! Are we providing them enough opportunities? For an instance, what about our section of our population,comprising of Dwarfs and the eunuchs? Are we ready to accept them as our colleagues or we will just express our sympathy about the way they are born and just ignore the fact that they also need to sustain themselves?
We, as individuals,community,society have stereotyped this category of the population in the occupation that these section has adopted,not focusing on the factors which is the reslut of the exclusion policy of the society. Our selfishness has led these citizens of India to grapple on their own. Where does our culture goes now? Will it be a matter of just closed doors discussion. Cannot our media show this section of the population in a better light? Can we not just forget what some stupid baba said and focus more on problem solving? Can we not make our system more inclusive because I do believe it is in our hands what we make of our society? Can we just ponder whether like us they have the right to equal opportunities,right to live,right to experience a sense of belongingnes?
I only took the examples of Dwarfs and eunuchs because u know how we ve ostracized them. But the problem of inclusion is written large on the face of our society.. Prostitutes, Street children. Bar dancers, unorganised workforce,prisoners, mental health patients.. the list goes on and on..
Has our ancient culture taught us this? I dont think so.. LETS GET TOGETHER AND IN REAL MEANS TOGETHER WHEN WE TAKE THE VOW,”India is my Country and All Indian are my brothers and sisters.”
urnima 