Expresses dismay over poor presence at Ambedkar jayanti
the goan I network
MAPUSA
“Everyone wants to take advantage of their caste by way of reservations or economic considerations, but during the census, people do not want to reveal their caste... They feel ashamed to mention their caste,” said D’Souza, while addressing a sparse gathering to mark Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s 126th birth anniversary in Mapusa.
The function jointly organized by the Mapusa Municipal Council and the Dalit Sangathana on Friday was poorly attended, with most councilors staying away from the function. Former speaker Surendra Sirsat was the keynote speaker at the function.
Speaking further, the urban development minister said data collected during the census work was one of the important milestones, which helped the government to take various crucial decisions.
“It is important that figures during the census should come correct and it is expected everyone reveal proper information to the enumerators,” he said.
Expressing his frustration at the thin attendance, D’Souza said hardly 25 persons were present when over 100 invitations for the function were handed out.
“There are more dalits in Bardez, but there is no adequate presence of this group for the function,” he said. “Even most of the councillors have not come... This programme is not only for the dalits. It was for everyone,” he added, clearly expressing his disgust at the poor attendance.
He said Dr Ambedkar had fought to bring a change in the social thinking, but the target was far from having achieved.
“Change has taken place, but not as much as was expected. We will have to work hard to achieve Dr Ambedkar’s ideals,” D’Souza said.
He said in the present-day society, there were more leaders than members and expressed regret at the trend.
MMC Chairperson Sandip Falari, Vice-Chairperson Marlene D`Souza, Dalit Sangathana President Manohar Virnodkar also spoke at the function. Former chairperson and councilor Sudhir Kandolkar, Franky Carvalho, Kavita Arlekar and Swapnil Shirodkar were present at the event.
