India - the second most populous nation in the world. India - a country of contrasts; a nation whose expanding and well-educated upper and middle classes are daily siphoning jobs from the US and a nation that produces more movies than any other, but yet a nation where more than a quarter of its people, 250 million, are oppressed and live in utter poverty.
India's lowest caste, known to many as the "untouchables," today are called the Dalits. The Dalit people who comprise the very bottom of India's social structure, have been systematically denied access to education, medical services and even public wells for thousands of years. Despite being Hindus by tradition, they are not allowed to enter temples, to become priests or even read Hindu scripture. Few Dalits send their children to school and when they choose to, they are denied entrance to schools where English is taught - a key to economic success in India. As a result 90% of the women are illiterate and young girls are often sold to become sex slaves.
In 2001 after repeatedly being rebuffed by the upper classes and the government, the Dalits began to take matters in their own hands. Numerous rallies around the country were staged to bring their plight to the attention of the world. The Christian minority in India responded with support for the Dalits. Since that time Dalits have increasingly turned to Christians within India and Christian organizations outside of India for support.
Today a local organization, the Dalit Freedom Network (DFN), is actively involved with the Dalit people of India. Founded in 2003, the DFN has a two-fold mission: to contribute financial resources to assist the Dalits and to raise awareness in the US. In India DFN cooperates with the All India Christian Council in the operation of educational and community health centers and in helping the Dalits gain marketable skills in order to increase their income. An example of DFN's work outside of India is a photo exhibit currently on display at Denver Christian High School. The striking photos of the Dalit people provide a window into the lives of some of the world's poorest and most oppressed people.
The exhibit is currently open to the public during school hours (8 am - 3 pm) and will remain until the end of February at DCS's Pearl Street Campus. On Thursday, February 7, Mr.
Kumar Swamy, the south India director of DFN will speak at DC at 10:15 am. Pastors of local churches have been invited and are encouraged to attend both the presentation and a luncheon afterwards. For more information, call the high school office (303-733-2421) or visit the DCS website at www.denver-christian.org.