On Wed, 2008-12-17 at 15:45 +0530, Nidhin Sasi wrote:
Freeing knowledge would ofcourse increase the
conscious of the
oppressed about their rights, but would that automatically give them
the basic rights? Most of the denial of their rights stems from the
fact that the resources are still captivated by a minority in the
society. Unless they fight for those rights, these rights would always
be alien for them though in the process though there might be progress
in their situation based on the intensity of different struggles. ICT
has revolutionised the world in such a way that human beings if have
access can attain most of the knowldge at their finger tips and also
establish communication with anyone in any part of the world.
But the denial of the basic rights would still cause them obstacles
even to freely pursue this available Free Knowledge. Though we see
them laughing, singing, playing in the daylight and among the crowd
each of them might have different difficult situations in their homes
which are mostly connected to their lack of accessibility of their
basic rights.
We can build good toilets and better infrastructure in their
locality if we go for fund drive, but would that give a solution to
their numeorus other problems they are facing ? Especially in a city
like Bangalore with high rates of inflation - what about the food
costs, health costs, transportation costs ? Most of the families at
the average 3 or 4 children or more, and I think AC3 kids are better
off than children in many other areas.
Fighting without empowering oneself is not effective. Currently people
do fight with external help from a political party or a social
organization, and external leadership and continue to remain powerless
even after struggles after struggles.
Sustainable social change does not come without power in the local
hands. They cannot claim power without knowledge.
Nagarjuna