Caste, food and ideological imposition
Caste, food and ideological imposition By Dr. Sylvia Karpagam https://www.dalitcamera.com/caste-food-ideological-imposition/ November 21, 2020
In reality, cutting down on sugars, reducing traditional cereals (read carbohydrates), and increasing the consumption of animal source foods, has the ability to drastically prevent or reduce the large scale prevalence of diabetes and its complications.
In India, politics, culture, religion, caste and economics around cereals, vegetables, fruits, pulses, oils, eggs, meat etc., prevent any rational or evidence based conversations around food.
The idea that dalit, Adivasi and OBC children should be grateful for whatever food is ‘given’ to them is deeply ingrained in the minds of doctors, activists, researchers, policy makers and pretty much the entire gamut of citizens in the country. The idea that children have inviolable rights to healthy, nutritious, tasty, clean, culturally relevant food is lost on most people who claim these same rights only for themselves. This is the crux of how caste discrimination operates in India, reinforcing all the hegemonic, hierarchical imbalances that are so evident that they become invisible. An entire mafia has formed around children’s food, making it almost impossible for children to have one decent meal as legally mandated by the NFSA.
It is of utmost importance that dalit, Muslim, Adivasi, Christian communities etc. that consume (and enjoy) eggs, beef, pork, fish, poultry etc. come together to reclaim their food sovereignty and challenge the hegemonic imposition of nutritionally inferior ‘sattvik’ foods.
Tiptoeing Around Meat in India’s Nutritional Minefields. https://medium.com/brainfoodmagazine/tiptoeing-around-meat-in-indias-nutritional-minefields-5237459c7ef8 Dr. Sylvia Karpagam looks at the vegetarian politics which prevent action on diabetes
Since healthcare in India is largely privatised, unregulated and market driven, prevention of Type 2 diabetes would be considered less ‘lucrative’ than the curative care of debilitating consequences of poorly managed diabetes. The Indian health system is neither ready to handle the consequences of diabetes, nor is it affordable to a majority of Indians, who in the absence of any protective healthcare, are mostly left to choose between a poor public health care system or an exorbitant private system.
Anyone who.. is diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in India is likely to repeatedly hear one specific bit of unsolicited advice ad nauseum — from parents, children, grandparents, relatives, teachers, employers, neighbours, friends, cousins etc. and that is to “Stop eating meat’. Ironically, this ‘nutritional advice’ is also given by medical professionals, counsellors, nutritionists, dieticians, teachers etc. irrespective of what is taught in their text books.
Giving up meat is seen as a panacea to all the health issues of the country. In fact, the more vegetarian one claims to be, the higher they are rated on the ‘nationalistic’ scale, with meat eaters being readily classified as ‘anti-national’.
Burdening patients with the responsibility of exercise as a way to control Type 2 diabetes is inadequate if the prime responsibility is not placed on diet. Multinational food companies are constantly sniffing around for devious ways of entering the food market in India and bring in the risks associated with processed foods.
Farmers' Bharat Bandh and PM Modi's Silence
Farmers' Bharat Bandh and PM Modi's Silence | Arfa Khanum Sherwani https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdWRZmLYPjI Sep 27, 2021
Farmers’ organisations are holding a nationwide Bharat Bandh today (September 27) as part of their ongoing agitation against the Union government’s contentious farm laws.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmers’ organisations, said the day;s protest would last from 6 am to 4 pm.
Prime Time With Ravish Kumar: Bharat Bandh – Is The Government Ignoring Our Farmers? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm7U09oZ_ak Sep 27, 2021 During the course of a year, the farmers' movement has observed Bharat Bandh several times. Every time during the Bharat Bandh, the farmers took meassures to ensure that the public should suffer the least. But even after a year of protests and negotiations, mostly failed talks, the situation remains the same. The farmers who sought to stop India for a day seem to be cordoned off in their own India.
Farmers Bharat Bandh: Movement was neither weak, nor will it be, says Rakesh Tikait https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZik2wWbjTA Sep 27, 2021
किसान और भारत बंद ||kisaan aur bharat band ||rajeev nigam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCMXqG6AwJw Sep 27, 2021
confuse godi media ||कंफ्यूज गोदी मीडिया ||rajeev nigam || https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7uA5k621JA Sep 28, 2021
Kamla Bhasin
Last Journey with women pallbearers ..
.. and singing "Tod Tod Ke Bandhanon Ko Dekho Behney Aati Hain" live audio: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AiXYIRE1zsiakGBXXO_xLRSYnmJI?e=eGQ1za
Kamla Bhasin's Pedagogy for Feminism Was Novel, Witty and Always Innovative https://m.thewire.in/article/women/kamla-bhasins-pedagogy-for-feminism-was-novel-and-never-boring/amp By Aruna Roy 30th Sept. 2021
She had an extraordinary ability to distil the essence of what was often presented as a complicated political feminist debate, into simple rhyme, rhythm and song. The confidence, élan and immense abandon with which she communicated the concepts of feminism in multiple idioms to a very diverse group of people was exceptional. Charismatic and without self-consciousness, she used her ability to be uninhibited and frank to bring the unusual into conversation, and startle the mind to drop its defences, to open up to newer possibilities.
Meet Kamla Bhasin, The 'Gully Girl' Who First Chanted the ‘Azaadi’ Song in India | Quint Neon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez7pFJqoSP8
Feb 6, 2019 The #GullyBoy song #Azaadi was originally brought to India b Feminist activist Kamla Bhasin. She was in Pakistan in the 1980s when women were protesting against Gen Zia-Ul-Haq. The would sing the 'azaadi' song as a mark of protest.
Life and Thought - Kamla Bhasin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM5n0o43KoU Dec 7, 2015 Kamla Bhasin was Co-President of Peace Women Across the Globe (PWAG). ..In the basis of her observation of her home village, she showed problematic role of girls at home and her gratefulness for her freedom in being outside and playing with other children, mostly boys... She commented how meaningless her university education in India was – there were numerous exams but no understanding and learning.
Kamla Bhasin : Long Live Resistance, Long Live Hope https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCNrXKzK1PY On 26 May 2021, at a PP21 meeting, Bhasin gave her full support for The People's Plan for the 21st Century (PP21). She stressed that it was very important to revive the spirit of PP21 in the era of capitalist globalization, as well as to embody the notion of radical love and compassion for revolutionary change.
Videos in Kamala's You tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxsYuIYx-wN44RPlrCIjo2Q/videos
You Tube on Kamala: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kamala+bhasin
(photos and message sent by Kavita Srivastava)
Selected Tributes on Social Media
PUCL Statement: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiXYIRE1zsiakF6QgeaUt1TS6uFj?e=DcI63k Her work of demystifying concepts like, gender, patriarchy, feminism, masculinity, Development adhering to peace and non-violence and bringing out in simple Hindi and English language for ordinary men and women is one of the most amazing legacies she has left behind. This is apart from the volumes of songs that she wrote. She wrote books for children.
Kamla had a special relationship with the PUCL. She always said that her feminist praxis is an
important part of the building a civil liberties and a human rights movement in the country. Whether it was
training on gender or anti – masculinity, violence against women or against the corporate culture, to
redefining public spaces for women, women’s property rights were all integral to the human rights movement of the country, she frequently said
Teesta:
An era
An icon
A leader
A companion
Bereft - Teesta
Henri Tiphagne: A feminist of great repute, knowledge and a remarkable trainer on women's rights who identified with all sections is what she will be remembered as for generations.
Ashim: She influenced so many of us men to become a bit more feminist.
Harsh Mander: She was a massive influence on many generations, teaching us by word, action, song and storytelling the equality of genders
Sandeep: your deep insights into the issues of gender equality. What a triumphant woman and incredible legacy she leaves us.
Joe Athialy: your deep insights into the issues of gender equality. What a triumphant woman and incredible legacy she leaves us.
Rajni B She was a feminist, peace activist, writer, artist, a great human being who made everyone her friend! Kamla was so zinda-dil....when ever we met it was a laugh fest....with Kamla's favourite refrain being "By God".
Aruna Roy: Fiesty Kamla Bhasin , has fought her last battle, singing and celebrating a life well lived. Her absence will be felt acutely, her gutsy presence, laughter and song, her wonderful strength are her legacy
We treasure her now as we did before. Always with us in spirit.
Stanley W : We are grateful to her for her contribution in decoding, reconstructing the dominant values in relation to male domination and liberation as well transformation of mind of oneself or as a community to understand how all need realise the gender justice, gender equity and the need for an united action for revolution.
Jayapadma: Let us celebrate her life through our thoughts and deeds
Let us cherish all that she did to restore and create balance in the world
Let us strive to make real the world she dreamed of
Pradeep Esteve: One of the pioneers of the Women's movement, collectively built the South Asian Feminist movement. Somebody who celebrated life whatever the adversity, will be missed by all.
Malla Reddy: She is singularly responsible for for setting gender agenda in NGOs since 70s! Perhaps the first gender activist in India.
Haritha: She is iconic. I always remember her zest for life. She personified a fine mix of compassion and fighting spirit.
Siddhartha : what a beautiful, gutsy and fiesty woman who took so many men along in her fight for gender equality.She dealt with whatever life gave her. She made a family of all around her
Harsh Wardhan: She brought so much joy and clarity when she interacted with us during the Wisdom Weekend and made us ( Indian Multiversities Alliance) aware about gender discrimination and unequal power relationship that existed in society. Her energy and passion were inspiring.
Kamla Bhasin, pioneering feminist icon, poet and author, dies at 75
by Aranya Shankar September 25, 2021 https://indianexpress.com/article/india/feminist-icon-kamla-bhasin-passes-away-7533380/ Bhasin remained committed to the causes she fought for until the very end, participating in an online meeting from her ICU bed just hours before her death.
Bhasin was the founder of Sangat, a South Asian feminist network, and co-founder of Jagori, a women’s resource centre. She was also the South Asian coordinator of the One Billion Rising campaign, besides being associated with several other organisations.
Jagori said in a statement: “Through her songs and posters, she has reached out to millions of activists and energised protests… Using simple language to demystify concepts, she was able to reach out the ideas of feminism and patriarchy to the lay person without jargon.”
Writer and publisher Ritu Menon: “There was a quality to Kamla that was exceptional. To be touched by her love was to experience something unique. That warmth she radiated, it encompassed almost everything she came in contact with. Her legacy is in the songs she wrote, the slogans she raised, the connections she made, the hearts she touched, the issues and campaigns she fought. It’s the generosity, spontaneity, warmth and intelligence of her struggle. "
Kamla Bhasin passes away - Here's all you need to know about the Women’s rights activist https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/kamla-bhasin-passes-away-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-womens-rights-activist A social scientist by training, she was actively engaged with issues related to development, education, gender, media and several others for over 35 years. She began her work for the empowerment of the rural and urban poor in 1972, with a voluntary organization in Rajasthan, India. From 1976 to 2001, she worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN. She resigned from her job at the U.N. in 2002, to work with Sangat, of which she is a founder member and Adviser.
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