Comments on: What’s a Caste System?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:43:09 +0000

Believe it or not, I can relate to Rewa Ram’s experiences.
While in the Navy during the Vietnam War, I served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Midway as a Hull Technician. Among the my duties in the Pipe Shop (besides welding,plumbing, and endlessly shining brass) , I unplugged sewage lines. Because of the design and construction of the plumbing system on the ship, when a “plug” occurred in the lower level (The ship had about 10 decks) Everything flushed from the upper levels flooded what was in the level right above the plug. My job was to “free the plug”. Imagine wading around in a compartment full of sewage sloshing back and forth with the roll of the sea swells…

Unfortunately, I don’t have to imagine.

By: Vitus Holzner

Vitus Holzner — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:36:27 +0000

I might get some hate for this post but I believe there is something like a caste system the American society too. Maybe it’s not as well defined and clearly named as in India but I feel there is a caste of “untouchables” in this country as well. Just recently I had a heated debate with a friend about this exact topic and he claims that everybody has the same opportunities for social advancement in this country. Well I don't believe that this is trues and I will use the micro cosmos CalPoly to prove my point. Hispanic/Latino: % of CA population: 36.6% % of CP student body: 9.3% African American: % of CA population: 6.7% % of CP student body: 1.1% I think in the US castes are defined by money and education rather than religion. Resources: U.S. Census Bureau Cal Poly Fall 2008 Fact Book

By: Leslie Mann

Leslie Mann — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:41:07 +0000

I too was appalled by what Rewa Ram and millions of others must endure everyday to provide for their families and keep the streets of Delhi feces free. The work is atrocious and the fact that laws were passed to ban people from doing what Rewa Ram does on a daily basis is quite unnerving. Only in emergencies can people enter the sewers but if emergencies occur daily, why are there laws even in place? The government has a responsibility to invest in Delhi’s sewer system. The sewers should function properly and not at the expense of millions of lives (the article states that life expectancy for Rewa and others like him is 10 years less than the national average). Rewa Ram and the millions of other sewer workers could better spend their time working for the government in building new sewer systems, thereby learning a new trade and earning money without it costing 10 years of their life.

The Indian government has a responsibility to its people to spend the proper resources on its sewer systems and water supply. Over-population will continue to be a problem for many of the world’s countries and water is the key element for these populations to exist and thrive. Yes, I too agree that in the future human beings will engage in wars over clean water more than any other resource, but in some parts of the world, these wars are waging now. There is no time like the present to engage in actions that will ensure a healthier environment for future generations.

On a lighter note, I appreciate Dr. Singh’s background information on the caste system, as I, like many others, did not know much about it. In fact, many Americans, myself included, know very little about the country and culture of India and this ignorance as some may call it, though not to be made light of, can put perspective on what little we know about our neighbors half way around the globe.

For some humor, see Stephen Colbert’s interview with Ujjal Dosanjh, member of Canadian Parliament and Canada’s first Indo-Canadian provincial leader (Wikipedia). If you are short on time, pay special attention at 03:40 of the video:

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/264537/february-22-2010/better-know-a-riding—vancouver-s-south—ujjal-dosanjh

By: Chase Janvrin

Chase Janvrin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:54:35 +0000

This reminds me of an NPR interview I heard last year (unfortunately I cannot remember who the guest was) about the way Americans identify themselves to their jobs. The guest was British, and he remarked how much he loved the fact that in America you are judged, frequently, by the job you have. I was shocked to hear this, thinking of how shallow and one dimensional it seemed. Then he explained how much better it was than to have a job thrust on you by the government (communism) or to be judged by what family you’re born into (referencing a caste system). It was the first time I had really considered how fortunate we are to have the opportunities that we do have. It’s no wonder that we have so many immigrants still coming to America in search of a better life. It reminds me of another quote, I believe it was Winston Churchill that said, “Sure democracy sucks, but it’s better than the alternative.” Which of course, is any other government system that we’ve yet developed.

By: Jordan Wente

Jordan Wente — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:32:06 +0000

Municipal water might be considered unhealthy to the middle class and wealthy citizens but are they completely wrong? The current water situation in India makes dinking tap water undesirable. If you can afford any other option why not take advantage it. Maybe if increased efforts were made by the government to clean up the water systems more people would choose municipal water over bottled water. This might remove the stigma placed on municipal water.

I think in order for India to break the dependency on bottled water, I think the Indian government really has to take action to ensure the water system is producing clean and safe water. This is just one of those areas that privatization might not be the best way to get things done. Its unfortunate that the only support comes from the poorest citizens but the impact on the citizens and the environment should be enough to influence some kind of action to be taken by the government. I read somewhere that in the future there will be more wars fought over water than over oil. I think that is probably an accurate assumption. Given the possibility that this could become a reality, it would make sense for the Indian government take measures in order to sustain its water resources. This makes me wonder what kind of impact the privatization of water might have in the future

By: Kirk Story

Kirk Story — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:22:17 +0000

A series of comments regarding reader’s opinions follow the BBC article about Rewa Ram, the human plunger. I was surprised to find the comments were, for the most part, one sided. Most comments, from Indian nationals and expats, were very harsh on the Indian government and overall state of social stratification in India. This surprised me because the ‘caste discussion’ I have previously had with Indian nationals tends to be multi-faceted. Many times I am told that I don’t understand the reality of the caste system. Dr. Singh, for example, sites the exploitation of the caste system by the British during their occupation of India. I have also heard the comment, “Talk about the caste system when you go to India and you see and understand the situation.” I suppose this is the advice I will follow for now.

By: John Barry

John Barry — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:16:22 +0000

I cannot speak for what negative impacts the caste system has on lower class Indians as I’ve never walked in their shoes or visited their country but one thing most of us keep forgetting is that money cannot, and does not buy happiness. As a matter of fact, I go back to my home country of Brazil every now and then to remind myself of this fact and rejuvinate my soul with the levity of spirit that prevails within even those who find themselves in the most dire of circumstances. I think it might even be a blessing for some of these people to find themselves in a situation where they have no choice but to cherish the important things in life, as they are unlikely to ever have the material things. I am not saying that I believe in ceilings that keep people from moving up, it’s just that I think there are much worse injustices out there that we can focus on. Just because Rewa Ram is unlikely to ever have material excess does not mean he is destined for a life devoid of meaning.

While I do admit that money can buy some peace of mind, with too much peace of mind comes boredom. And as Helen Keller once insightfully noted, “life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

By: William Ary

William Ary — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:16:29 +0000

I think it is up to the government to provide only things that can most efficiently be provided via public works. They are things whose value can be seen by all but whose benefit is too long term to encourage a business to fill the need at a profit. In this case, the lower classes have a need that is not met due to government’s being swayed by the upper classes. I think that if the government will not provide water directly, it at least owes the country’s poor insofar as teaching them how to get water for themselves through well-digging, purification or irrigation canals. They must have the skills to get water themselves because no one else will help them out.

By: Jay Ponto

Jay Ponto — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:38:57 +0000

It’s unfortunate that individuals like Rewa Ram are compelled to unplug fecal blockages in Indian sewers for a living, purely due to their status as Dalits. I understand his point of being fortunate to have a job to feed his family, as having the ability to work is undoubtedly a virtue. Nonetheless, the Indian government should do a better job at improving its sewers and raising the quality of living for its people, instead of pursuing costly space programs which will result in very expensive advances that most Indian citizens will never appreciate.

In any westernized country, the conditions Rewa Ram experiences would never be tolerated, and would be dubbed as nothing less than deplorable by any reasonable individual. The repetitive exposures to gases like hydrogen sulfide and methane will wreak havoc on any human’s physiology, producing a plethora of disorders. By not improving sewage systems and by employing individuals to clear blockages for little compensation, the Indian government is contributing to the abuse of the Dalits; it has a responsibility to care for its citizens and eliminate such conditions.

By: Jason Silver

Jason Silver — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:12:27 +0000

It is hard to see how people can live in such conditions. I believe that everyone should have the fundamental right to be able to live a free life. This includes not having to swim in toxic human waste. The caste system, although it has officially been eliminated, still brings hardships to many people.

There are a few Dalits, which moved out of their caste, into higher social classes. These successful people are the bearers of change. These are the folks that can really make a difference for the rest of the Dalits. They can change the way people think, and with that would come a public voice, and ultimately better living conditions.

There must be a shift in perception, from discrimination to freedom, and over time, as India become more globally oriented, hopefully we will see this change.