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Green Revolution denuded Dalits: Thinker
Panaji, Sep 10 (IANS) Land reforms brought about by successive Congress governments after independence were aimed at creating a new class of rich farmers whereas the Green Revolution was a capitalist strategy that denuded the Dalits, thinker and ideologue Anand Teltumbde said on Monday.
“Through land reforms they created a class of rich farmers in rural areas, because the Congress was not confident. They were somewhat of a metropolitan party. Their rural presence was very tenuous. So, they wanted to create a class of rich farmers who would be allied to the Congress,” Teltumbde said at at a function organised by Dakshinayan Abhiyan in South Goa’s Margao town.
“… thereafter, they brought in the Green Revolution, which enriched a handful and displaced the erstwhile landlords who typically belonged to the Brahmin caste,” he added.
Teltumbde was one of the several Dalit thinkers whose homes were raided on August 28 by Pune police in connection with Bhima-Koregaon violence of January 1.
He said that the battle of Bhima-Koregaon in early 19th century went largely unnoticed and became popular only after Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar started visiting the obelisk erected by the British in memory of soldiers who fell in the battlefield, including those from the Mahar clan.
The Green Revolution ushered in bumper agricultural yield but was a capitalist ploy from which the Dalits did not benefit, he claimed.
“They (Brahmin landlords) were replaced by these people… all kinds of markets were created because of the Green Revolution that was basically a capitalists strategy… Dalits got denuded just as rural proletariat, utterly dependent on farm wages given by rich farmers,” the Dalit activist said.
Speaking on the legacy of the Bhima Koregaon battle, Teltumbde said: “When Ambedkar came on the scene, recruitment of Mahars in the British military was stopped, though there was rising demand for the same. In that context, Bhima-Koregaon battle came in handy for the Mahars to claim that they too belonged to a martial race.”
“Ambedkar’s father was part of this movement… Ambedkar picked up this issue. He used to go there (obelisk) and pay his respects. Before that, it was not noticed by anyone….”
Pune police raided Teltumbde’s official residence on the Goa Institute of Management campus in Sanquelim village, 30 km from Panaji.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.