'Feminism alive and well in India'

Consul General of India in New York Neelam Deo delivered a classroom lecture, and a keynote on 'Democracy and Pluralism in India' when she was hosted by the Center for Indic Studies at the University of Massachusetts, in Dartmouth.

In the lecture, which is part of the Center's course on Business Entrepreneurship in India being offered during this spring semester, Deo outlined a series of steps taken by the Government of India to promote investment and competitive entrepreneurship in India.

Deo touched on several sectors, and cited the Nano car, introduced by the Tata group, as an example of how Indian entrepreneurship is introducing efficiency in production to reduce the cost. "The Nano could change the paradigm of production itself," she said.

The consul general, during her keynote, touched on the fact that she, as a woman, did not have to struggle for the right to vote in India. At a discussion subsequently, Professor Michael Baum of the Political Science Department at UMass took issue, pointing out that the patriarchal Indian society sees the rule of men by proxy, even when women are elected to panchayat seats reserved for women. Thus, he argued, affirmative action has actually undercut the women's movement in India. Dr Vanita Shastri of the Meru Foundation responded that the feminist movement in India is vibrant and pervasive, with even rural women being increasingly able to assert their views, as she had discovered during her visits to India.

Dr Bal Ram Singh, director of the Center, said Deo appreciated the Center's plans to academically present India's culture and philosophy, and subject it to objective and scientific discussion.

Deo, who proposed that the consul general of India be made a permanent ex-officio member of the Center's board, has been invited to the annual meeting of the Center's governing board. She said she will work to promote scholarly exchanges with India, under an existing government of India program.

The dinner reception, hosted by the Center's external advisory board with support from local Holiday Inn owner Nayan Patel, was attended by 50 prominent community leaders; the event raised over $25,000, which will be added to the over $100,000 endowment which the Center has established to promote the teaching of Indian culture and philosophy to college students.

The board is currently considering plans to initiate a graduate program in Indic Studies at UMass, which will allow a substantial improvement in the scholarship on India.

Image: Consul General of India in New York Neelam Deo delivering a classroom lecture on 'Democracy and Pluralism in India' at the University of Massachusetts.