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Radios for India’s “untouchables”

India’s Dalits, or “untouchables,” may have experienced political success in recent months (both as individuals and as a party) and the resulting benefits of being in power, but the class remains the subject of significant levels of discrimination, with true equality not yet in sight. Now, ministers in  the Bihar state in East India are ...

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582596_090806_untouchables5.jpg
582596_090806_untouchables5.jpg

India’s Dalits, or “untouchables,” may have experienced political success in recent months (both as individuals and as a party) and the resulting benefits of being in power, but the class remains the subject of significant levels of discrimination, with true equality not yet in sight. Now, ministers in  the Bihar state in East India are seeking to improve the Dalits’ quality of life through the wonders of radio. 

“It (radio) will entertain the tired villagers with music and will make them aware about what is happening around with news,” Bihar’s Tribal Welfare Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, said Wednesday.

Manjhi said the move will empower the dalit villagers further and raise general awareness levels.

“You can listen to music, news and improve your areas of information if you have a radio at home,” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar added.

PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images

James Downie is an editorial researcher at FP.
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