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Thursday 6 August 2009

Free radios to perk up untouchables


PATNA, India : Authorities in eastern India are distributing free radio sets to lower-castevillagers so that they can listen to music and news after a hard day's work and improve theirawareness, officials said Wednesday.

Officials of Bihar state are distributing transistors costing 400 rupees ($8) each among hundredsof "Dalits" or the formerly "Untouchables" who remain oppressed at the bottom of India's ancientHindu caste system.

"It (radio) will entertain the tired villagers with music and will make them aware about what ishappening around with news," Bihar's Tribal Welfare Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, said Wednesday.

Manjhi said the move will empower the dalit villagers further and raise general awareness levels.

"You can listen to music, news and improve your areas of information if you have a radio athome," Chief Minister Nitish Kumar added.

More than 16 percent of India's 1.1-billion population are Dalits and they continue to facediscrimination and injustice although untouchability now is a crime.

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