Comments on: ‘Akkarmashee’ A Must Read Biography

By: Varda Pendse

Varda Pendse — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:44:28 +0000

Will read the book sir.

By: T S Ramanathan

T S Ramanathan — Mon, 31 May 2021 06:45:34 +0000

The problem of caste discrimination supported by exploitation is still prevalent even among the so called educated fraternity. Surprisingly even after 75 years of our independence we have not been able to come out of these deeply rooted beliefs. Great names such as B R Ambedkar, Subramaniya Bharathi, Periyar etc. are only in writing and for quoting during election and political speeches. A few successful persons come out with such eye-openers in the form of biographies but they hardly touch the masses. A classic example of the existence of caste system is the creation of separate matrimonial sites based on caste. The political leaders also are part of the initiative to keep the caste fires burning for their self interest. God knows when we as human beings will understand and eliminate all this…

By: Mirza Yawar Baig

Mirza Yawar Baig — Sun, 30 May 2021 18:00:45 +0000

The harsh, ugly truth is that the caste system is institutionalized racism. This is what Gandhiji is also currently being criticized for in Africa with a lot of heat, that he was racist and anti-black African. They found his letters to the Apartheid government of South Africa which clearly show this. The problem with the caste system is that the upper caste person practicing it, is not doing anything wrong but merely practicing his/her religion. This is ingrained, sanctified and legal and so getting rid of it is not easy. I was for many years on the Board of two Dalit Rights organizations and I know some horrific stories of living as a lower caste person. I lived with (in their huts) Gond tribal people in Adilabad District of AP (at that time) and Telangana today – and know how miserable it is and how suffering humiliation is a part of their lives. It is accepted and they have nowhere to go. I know an IPS officer of the rank of IG who was not allowed to celebrate the wedding of his son in his village because he and his family are lower caste. So education, social standing, official status, nothing, works to override caste.

I worked in the tea plantations in Tamilnadu for ten years with an almost 100% Dalit labor force. So, I know this problem from a very practical perspective. I have written about it in my blogs and in my book, “In a Teacup”, which will be published soon. I won’t say that education is the solution because I know some very highly educated Brahmins, physicists, mathematicians, social scientists (sic!) who practice caste discrimination in their lives and families. I know one who married his classmate in an MBA program in one of the IIM’s. His family are all PhD’s but that didn’t stop them from rejecting his wife and refusing to eat what she cooked or to allow her to participate in their family functions. The man tried his best until finally more than 25 years later, they both converted to Buddhism. Not easy, as I said.

By: Aravamudhan

Aravamudhan — Sun, 30 May 2021 13:15:46 +0000

Your insightful comments about the Book ‘ AKKARMASHEE ‘ are very revealing. and inspiring
To be frank with you I have not heard about this
Biography I will try to get the Tamil Version for my reading..Please keep recommending such Socially
relevant books.

Aravamudhan

By: Iyer NAGANATH SUBRAMANIAN

Iyer NAGANATH SUBRAMANIAN — Sun, 30 May 2021 11:32:16 +0000

Many skip this subject. Many are aware and choose to be cocooned. Many are aware but turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to such exploitation.

Will read the English version and understand. Something will emerge in me to act.

Thanks Sir

By: Joseph George A

Joseph George A — Sun, 30 May 2021 06:43:27 +0000

The Caress of Justice is where this comes from. Thanks for writing this too. #BeingPeople