Aug 15, FIRST I-Day for these 41.25 L families

Image: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar interacts with Mahadalits during a rally

For 64 years now, India has been celebrating Independence Day, but without Bihar's 41.25 lakh Mahadalit families. But this August 15 will be different. Thanks to initiatives by the Nitish Kumar-led government Mahadalit hamlets across the state are gearing up for D-Day and how! M I Khan captures the fervour in Phulwarisharief near Patna, where the tricolour will be unfurled for the first time in six decades.

Bhulna and Maheshwa, two middle-aged Mahadalits, the poorest of the socially marginalised people in Bihar, were upbeat on Friday, two days ahead of Independence Day. For them August 15, 2011 will go down in history for more reasons than one.

For the first time in the last six decades will duo be celebrating I-Day. For the first time, will they stand as the national anthem is being played as they will watch the tricolour being hoisted by an elder, also a first.

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Bihar's 41.25 L families all set to celebrate their FIRST I-Day

Image: Mahadalits are the most marginalised community in Bihar
Photographs: Reuters

Bhulna and Maheshwa, both landless, daily wage labourers, residing in the Mahadalit hamlets in Phulwarisharief near Patna, are not the only ones looking forward to Monday. The patriotic fever has gripped each and every of 41.25 lakh Mahadalit families in Bihar.

Mahadalits, widely considered as untouchables in caste-ridden Bihar, were kept away from all August 15 celebrations leave alone unfurl the tricolour.

"We are happy that at last our children can enjoy the festivities of Independence Day," Bhulna, told rediff.com on Friday.

Bihar's 41.25 L families all set to celebrate their FIRST I-Day

Image: State government official hands over a beneficiary cheque to a child from the Mahadalit community

Deepak Kumar, principal secretary, state general administration department, said. "It's a novel move to involve Mahadalits in the celebrations, who were staying away from such functions due to one or the other. This programme will help boost the weaker sections of society, as they join the mainstream," he said.

He said that the general administration department has issued letters to all the district magistrates for organise flag-hoisting ceremonies in Mahadalits tolas on the occasion of the Independence Day and the Republic Day every year from now.

"As the Right to Public Service Act is to be implemented from August 15, this programme will be an effective way to inform weaker sections about various government schemes," he said.

Bihar's 41.25 L families all set to celebrate their FIRST I-Day

Image: Mahadalits gathered at a induction-cum-orientation workshop of Mahadalit Vikas Mission

The government has allotted Rs 500 for each Mahadalit tola to purchase flags and sweets for such functions. "It will cost the state exchequer Rs 1.3 crore," an official said.

The department has asked the district administrations to depute a government school teacher to oversee the function. The teacher could explain the national anthem and events related to Independence Day and the freedom struggle to the Mahadalits.

According to government records, there are over 25,000 such tolas in the state. Of the 22 sects under the Schedule Castes category, the Bihar government has accorded the status of Mahadalits to 21.

The government is of the opinion that the people belonging to these 21 sects are the most backward among the Dalits.

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