Education, Exploitation and Empowerment of Dalits in Waiting for a Visa

Abstract

India is a land of diversity, and it is this characteristics of India that has given it a cultural and spiritual edge in a world that marks the advent of progress through the prism of materialism and capitalism. We as a country need to examine our claim to cultural greatness keeping in view the ground realities of our society. Both in the historical and contemporary perspective one can choose to ignore the oppression and dehumanisation of the Dalit communities of India, but that doesn't change the truth. For centuries the Untouchable communities have been silenced through the force of religion and social dogmas. It was Babasaheb Ambedkar who could not be silenced. The voice of one of the architects of Indian Constitution could not be muzzled. His memoir Waiting for Visa is not just a story of personal struggle and triumph but a tale of profound inspiration and motivation. This paper highlights the importance of education in empowerment of Dalits as discussed in this memoir. But as Babasaheb puts it; education alone will not solve this centuries-old system. The entire country- both Dalits and non-Dalits have to make a collective effort to change the lived reality of the Dalits. Acknowledgement will lead to resolution.