Dubai: The 15th episode of Subalterns by Village TV Trust, Mangaluru and St. Loyola College, Bengaluru was held on Friday February 18 at 6.30 pm IST.
With the objective of ‘P2P – Local to Global’, the show is aimed at providing a platform for unheard young voices of the society and thus create a supportive environment.
The programme host was Kiran Nirkan. Nirmala, a vegetable vendor along with daughter Monica pursuing BCom were the guests. The weekly programme is in Kannada.
In the beginning of the programme host Kiran Nirkan explaining the motto of starting ‘Subalterns’ said, “the new series has been started with an intention to provide a voice to the voiceless people, who belong to the marginalised communities of the society. As a part of the decennial celebrations of NewsKarnataka, we have undertaken this initiative.”
Speaking further he welcomed the participants of the talk show series. The day-to-day life of mother Nirmala in her vegetable shop was displayed through a video. Mother of Monica describing her daily work schedule said that her day begins at 3.30 am. At 3.30 am they go to market to fetch vegetables and from 7.00 am their business at shop begins, she explained.
One day my husband turned rude on me and said, ‘”You do no work but just eat and sit at home.” From that day I started earning selling vegetables on streets and today I run a shop, she expressed her journey of self-empowerment with pride.
The current rift between student communities based on one’s attire and food habits have its direct effect on students’ education. At the moment like this, what are the responsibilities of the students questioned host Kiran Nirkan to Dr. Kumaraswamy Bijjihalli, Kannada Department Head in Loyola College, Bengaluru. Dr. Kumaraswamy answered, “If a teacher becomes communal then the nation will be spoilt. But a secular teacher can raise a beautiful nation. It indeed is sad that, government shut the educational Institutions by plotting an issue. When it is possible to bring in stay orders on petty issues why the government did not initiate a stay order on medias to not publish any news on the issue atleast until court verdict is being heard? Both Ruling Party as well as Opposition Party made their statements foreseeing the political gains. How to protect our student community from the sections which work for political gain has become a great concern now, he expressed.
If the teacher has no minimum concern of calling the female students in and sorting out things and if it reaches to an extent of teacher addressing the girl students outside the college gate, where will the future of our India be? he expressed concern with utmost sadness.
Expressing his opinion on women empowerment he said, When women become empowered, especially, financial empowerment will give women a dignified and respectful life in the family as well as society, he stressed.
Both Kumaraswamy and Kiran denoted mother Nirmala as the motivation and inspiration for many. Kiran Nirkan expressed best wishes to Monica for her studies and goal.
Dr. Kumaraswamy Bijjihalli appreciated the initiative of NewsKarnataka and told to be proud for being part of such initiative. Kiran Nirkan expressed gratitude and signed off the session.
