The Hindu : New Delhi News : Manual scavenger turns to fulfil her Ph.D dream

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Tuesday, Jun 21, 2011
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Manual scavenger turns to fulfil her Ph.D dream

Varanasi: Twenty-two-year-old Dolly now dreams of doing her Ph.D and leaving behind bitter memories of her childhood when she was forced to sit on a separate bench after her teachers found that she was a manual scavenger.

Along with 200 women who used to work as manual scavenger, performing the symbolic religious ablution in the holy Ganga, Dolly entered the Kashi Vishwanath temple here as part of Sulabh International's endeavour to send a strong social message against manual scavenging and untouchablility.

Chanting slogans ‘ bolo Kashi Vishwanath ki jai, bolo Kashi Narayan ki jai', the women entered the temple and shared food with upper caste devotees. The group, which included women of all age groups, moved towards the ghats early on Monday morning.

Sulabh International, headed by Bindeshwar Pathak, had flown these women from various villages of Rajasthan to the temple town.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had on Friday said the Government should take steps to eliminate manual scavenging within six months.

First time

Ghansham Chaubey, 38, a local priest who lives at the oldest and the most revered Dashashawamedh Ghat, said: “People from the previously-untouchable communities would come and perform puja in the Ganga. However, this is the first time that they have come in such a large group.”

Dolly, a graduate who is now pursuing B.Ed, said remembers the day the school authorities found out about her.

“My friends stopped talking to me. I realised people would change their path if I happen to be on the path. I was taken aback. I was heart broken,” Dolly said, remembering her father made it a point to send her to school.

“I want a ‘Dr' prefixed before my name,” said the Tonk resident.

While continuing her education, she started learning sewing, embroidery, mat and carpet making at the Sulabh Centre, which provided a stipend.

“The mindset of the people changed suddenly and after a while, they started talking to me in a respectable manner. My life, since then has changed dramatically.”

Usha Chaumar, 42, also recounted a similar tale.

Hailing from Alwar and victim of child marriage, Usha worked as scavenger along with her in-laws.

After being rehabilitated and trained by the NGO, she was also part of a delegation to the United States where she delivered a lecture at the United Nations. “What was life when I used to work as scavenger? There was no respect and money even to meet my day-to-day needs. Now I have become self-sufficient.”

Dr. Pathak told PTI: “Even though we rehabilitated these women from scavenging, I realised social stigma of being an untouchable still remains prevalent somewhat. So this was a step in that direction to make a larger statement.” — PTI

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