04-17-2005, 03:35 AM
http://www.gleitsman.org/intHonoree.html
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->MARTIN CHHOTUBHAL MACWAN, Navsarjan Trust, National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights
Born among the one hundred and sixty million Dalits (formerly "Untouchables") who form the lowest "caste" in India, Martin Chhotubhal Macwan has dedicated his life to improving their fate. By the conversion of his grandfather to Christianity, he had the advantage of being educated in Jesuit schools; an incisive mind and indelible sense of compassion leading him to become an attorney. The primary catalyst was a common sight: witnessing the suffering, beating, poverty and discrimination of the Dalits at the hands of their fellow citizens. Two decades ago he founded The Navsarjan Trust to use his legal knowledge, and that of other fearless attorneys and social workers, to fight for the human rights of the Dalits. Now, in more than two thousand villages, the organization helps supply potable water, correct land reform violations and provide legal aid. Concurrently, Macwan is the Convener of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights, which is working to present its case before the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in South Africa this fall. Martin Macwan argues that concern for the Dalit class is, in fact, a human rights issue. His battle continues in a country where, by law, all citizens are entitled to the same rights, yet millions must endure the suffering of what has been called "India's hidden apartheid."
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->MARTIN CHHOTUBHAL MACWAN, Navsarjan Trust, National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights
Born among the one hundred and sixty million Dalits (formerly "Untouchables") who form the lowest "caste" in India, Martin Chhotubhal Macwan has dedicated his life to improving their fate. By the conversion of his grandfather to Christianity, he had the advantage of being educated in Jesuit schools; an incisive mind and indelible sense of compassion leading him to become an attorney. The primary catalyst was a common sight: witnessing the suffering, beating, poverty and discrimination of the Dalits at the hands of their fellow citizens. Two decades ago he founded The Navsarjan Trust to use his legal knowledge, and that of other fearless attorneys and social workers, to fight for the human rights of the Dalits. Now, in more than two thousand villages, the organization helps supply potable water, correct land reform violations and provide legal aid. Concurrently, Macwan is the Convener of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights, which is working to present its case before the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in South Africa this fall. Martin Macwan argues that concern for the Dalit class is, in fact, a human rights issue. His battle continues in a country where, by law, all citizens are entitled to the same rights, yet millions must endure the suffering of what has been called "India's hidden apartheid."
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