Latest News

Navsarjan releases new report on gender violence, access to justice for Dalit women — by david — last modified 2011-12-21 20:23

In light of the reality that Dalit women remain victims of violent crime and receive little protection under Indian law, Navsarjan Trust has released an extensive report on gender violence and access to justice for Dalit women during the period 2004-2009. With the support of Minority Rights Group International, Navsarjan’s research has demonstrated that Dalit women remain susceptible to violence that pervades their villages, homes and intimate relationships. Dalit women additionally endure precarious access to justice, as they often face case delays and other barriers when seeking to file legal claims.

"Untouchables of India"A Photography project in Gujarat, India by Vivien Francis, — by david — last modified 2011-10-31 12:00

A photo-documentary book created to tell the story of the community that occupies the lowest place in the Indian social structure.... Vivi worked in Navsarjan for her summer internship in the year 2010 as a Masters student from Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego, U.S. and had taken amazing pictures.. She wants to raise funds for Navsarjan to help in their education program. Please click on this news item and support her project. Jai Bhim!

"Untouchables of India" — by david — last modified 2011-10-31 11:41

A photo-documentary book created to tell the story of the community that occupies the lowest place of India social structure. Please click on http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/275897213/untouchables-of-india

Inviting applications for the position of Program Director — by david — last modified 2011-10-24 03:30

Navsarjan is an esteemed and one of largely known organization in the arena of human rights and social justice in India. The organization invites application for the position of Program Director. This position is of great value for the organization as it would not only support the work of the organization but will also strengthen the movement for ensuring equality, rule of law and dignity for the marginalized communities. The applicant seeking this position should have the commitment, passion and courage to strive for human rights and should have the ability to play an important role towards social change.

Inviting job application for the position of Program Director — by david — last modified 2011-10-24 03:25

Navsarjan is an esteemed and one of largely known organization in the arena of human rights and social justice in India. The organization invites application for the position of Program Director. This position is of great value for the organization as it would not only support the work of the organization but will also strengthen the movement for ensuring equality, rule of law and dignity for the marginalized communities. The applicant seeking this position should have the commitment, passion and courage to strive for human rights and should have the ability to play an important role towards social change.

New Video on DSK — by david — last modified 2011-10-24 03:27

A new video on the students of DSK has been made and is also put on the website www.empowervideotour.org by EMpower the organization which supports the work of Dalit Shakti Kendra.

Announcement for sponsoring a female student in the next batch at our Dalit Shakti Kendra — by david — last modified 2011-04-15 19:14

Dalit Shakti Kendra (DSK), The Dalit Empowerment Center, a joint project of Navsarjan and Janvikas, is a residential vocational training center serving economically and socially marginalized youth in the state of Gujarat, India. However, in addition to learning marketable skills like computer literacy, educational toy manufacture, beauty skills (hair styling, make-up, manicure), cooking, and videography, DSK also provides personality development, leadership skills, and a space for self-reflection and growth. Here, young teens who have faced crippling poverty and caste discrimination are free to be teenagers, learning and playing in a safe and secure environment as they should. Most of DSK's students are landless and have dropped out of school to help feed their families. The problem is that this binds them to a lifetime of agricultural labor and caste-based occupations, traditionally the lowest paying and least secure work one can find in India. People doing these difficult manual tasks can expect to make no more than 100 rupees a day, a little more than two dollars! But DSK is more than that. Through the skills they learn and the environment in which they live, these children gain a sense of pride in who they are and hope for the future, taking a message of equality for all people back to their homes and villages. Follow-up studies show that a majority of DSK graduates are employed or self-employed, lifting themselves and their families out of the cycle of crippling poverty and discrimination. However, there are still challenges, especially with the girls. You see, parental prejudice and fears, prevailing social conditions, lack of employment opportunities, and extreme poverty often work against girls coming to DSK. That's where you come in. Our experience demonstrates, that if we can keep the costs down and help ensure future employment, parents will be more willing to send the daughters. DSK is commited to 100% employment of all its graduates and following up with them once they leave the campus. All it takes is your commitment. So will you do it? Will you save a life? You can do so today. It just takes $125. *Dalit is the term this community has chosen to describe itself in lieu of the pejorative "untouchables." You can do the payment via paypal through our website www.navsarjan.org Thanks for the Support! Manjula Pradeep Executive Director Navsarjan

Blog on the campaign to eradicate manual scavenging — by navsarjan — last modified 2010-06-26 17:57

Navsarjan has been addressing the issue of eradicating manual scavenging in Gujarat since 1995. Manual scavenging is one of the inhuman and worst form of caste based occupation forced upon the people who are born in the lowest caste in the social structure of Indian society. Through this web page we would not only highlight the issue but will put success stories where a manual scavenger has liberated herself/himself and is doing dignified work. We would also highlight the stories of leaders of this community who are being trained to strengthen the Dalit movement.

Navsarjan announces results of unprecedented Study on Untouchability — by navsarjan — last modified 2010-01-29 15:52

Navsarjan Trust, together with RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights, have published a study that describes the prevalence of untouchability practices in Gujarat, based on research in 1589 villages. Click for the report itself as well as media reports.

Collective to end violence against women in Gujarat — by pranav — last modified 2009-12-25 15:30

Navsarjan has joined in a State level collective of likeminded human rights and women's rights organizations under Mahila Adhikar Abhiyan i.e. Women's rights movement. A public hearing was organised on 8th December 2009 in Ahmedabad. This event was covered in major Indian newspapers.

Collective to end violence against women — by pranav — last modified 2009-12-20 11:16

Navsarjan has joined in a State level collective of likeminded human rights and women's rights organizations under Mahila Adhikar Abhiyan i.e. Women's rights movement. A public hearing was organised on 8th December 2009 in Ahmedabad. Please see the news coverage in major newspapers

Navsarjan's 'Census on Untouchability' In the News — by pranav — last modified 2010-01-29 12:10

Links to articles in major newspapers about findings from Navsarjan's 'Census on Untouchability in Gujarat' released on 27th January 2010. 1,589 villages throughout Gujarat were surveyed to gain a picture of untouchability practices and discrimination against Dalits.

Press Clippings on the protest event held on 17th August 2009 — by pranav — last modified 2009-08-20 20:54

The protest event on the 17th August was taken out effectively. It got wide response from the media, civil society groups, individuals, etc. Some press clippings and pictures are given here.

Protest event against manual scavenging and related caste based occupations — by pranav — last modified 2009-08-15 22:27

Every year Navsarjan organizes protest event to eliminate manual scavenging practice in Gujarat. This year there would be more than 1000 children from this community coming to Gandhi Ashram from 12 districts of Gujarat to speak about their plight and pain for being born in the lowest caste...

New Website - Manual Scavenging — by david — last modified 2009-06-15 17:52

Navsarjan's new website depicting the stories of those who have left the practice of manual scavenging.

Manual Scavenging Persists in India — by pranav — last modified 2009-04-01 13:35

Navsarjan Executive Director Manjula Pradeep's radio interview on the continued practice of manual scavenging in Gujarat

Radio interview of Manjula Pradeep on Asia Pacific Forum — by pranav — last modified 2009-04-01 13:46

Navsarjan's Executive Director was interviewed on New York City radio concerning the landmark judgement in the Patan gangrape case

Life Imprisonment for the six accused in the Patan Gang Rape Case — by pranav — last modified 2009-09-09 15:16

All the accused Professors who raped a Dalit girl in all girls PTC college in Patan (in North Gujarat) have been sentenced for life imprisonment by the Fast track court on the 6th March 2009. More news on the same is given in Navsarjan in news

Navsarjan in the News — by bhairab — last modified 2009-04-01 14:43

Links to some of the articles written in major newspapers and magazines about Navsarjan's activities

Raped and Sold 4 times — by pranav — last modified 2009-03-18 16:28

A minor Dalit girl hailing from Bavla town in Gujarat was raped and sold during the year 2006-2007. She is waiting to get justice after the Patan judgement

Patan Judgement — by pranav — last modified 2009-03-18 16:28