Indian Professor Plans to Break Down Social Barriers

One of India's most influential lecturers visited Edge Hill University to talk about his attempts to educate millions across the former British colony.

Within Western Europe the ability to be socially mobile has been something of a given for years, but for generations in India the caste system has dictated that such a lifestyle cannot exist. A major stepping-stone that is hoped will end this is opening up the education system to the masses.

Professor Debal Singha Roy from the Ghandi National Open University joined Edge Hill?s Roger Spalding, Senior History Lecturer, to talk to students on the university?s BA (Hons) History course. The two talked about how education would open a new world for people in India who are at the lower end of the caste system.

Professor Roy added: "We aim to get these people the best quality of education that we can possibly offer and make India more upwardly mobile in terms of socially adaptability. The university in India have some of the best lecturers in the world signed up to this programme.

"There are 1.5 million students on 136 courses that didn?t previously have access to education. We communicate with the students through a variety of media platforms, including e-learning and TV which is what the BBC did."

The origins of the caste system in India are unclear, but one of thing that can?t be disputed is the significance that it has on people's lives. One example of a profession that is considered to be at the lower end of the structure is a musician. Professor Roy explained that many people enjoy the music and they are considered to be God's children but the caste arrangement states that because saliva is blown into horns it is considered to be very unhygienic.

He went on to add that once someone?s place in society has been formed it is virtually impossible for it be shifted.

Edge Hill's Roger Spalding said: "This is a really good opportunity to take, one we couldn?t refuse and it is a subject of great interest to all our students.

"What Professor Roy is organising is amazing and having him as a contact is of invaluable use to ourselves and the students. Although this is the first time we have had someone of such status talking to our students we hope to do so again in the near future."

On 19 - 21 September, 2007, the university's Social and Cultural Movements Group, which is led by Roger Spalding, will hold an international conference at the Ormskirk campus. Anti-Capitalism: Movement of Movements' aims to discuss the wide range of arguments about anti-capitalism in its global manifestations.

For more information about the group or the conference please call Roger Spalding on 01695 584287 or email spaldr@edgehill.ac.uk.