Presents
A
Thief Called Nomad
Talk and Discussion
by
****************
Dr. Ganesh
Devy
******************
When: Tuesday, June 7, 2005
at 7:00 pm
Where: Stamp Student Union (Juan Ramon Jimenez
Room)
Univ of MD, College Park
Contact: Sandeep Gupta
E-mail: sangupta@wam.umd.edu
Ph:
301-806-1218
Background of the
Talk:
------------------------
Dr. Ganesh Devy and 'Bhasha'- an
organization that he founded, have been working with the
Adivasis since 1996 which gives a voice to the marginalized.
Originally aimed at translating tribal stories and
literature from their language into more mainstream tongues,
the group has expanded to include a large number of activities.
Most of its members are adivasis, and associated is a group of
social scientists, writers and artists with deep insight into
Indian society.
In recent months, Dr. Devy has been working
with the Govt. of India on the draft National Policy for Tribals,
which will impact the millions of adivasis in the country, their
relationships with the forests where they live, and how they will
control (or lose control) the natural resources on their lands. A
large meeting of tribal representatives from around the country was
held in Tejgadh in November last year. The effort to devise a more
sensible and humane
policy continues, with dialog being the most
effective tool deployed.
Dr. Devy will talk about his work
with Adivasis and more recently on the denotified tribes (DNT) of
India.
Background of the
Speaker:
--------------------------
Ganesh Devy is a writer
based in Baroda who works with adivasis. He studied literature at
Leeds University in Britain and got a PhD from Shivaji University in
Kolhapur. This led to an immensely successful career as a literature
professor at M. S. University in Baroda, capped by a Sahitya Akademi
award in 1993 and the love and admiration of hundreds of students who
learned at his side.
He set up an organization,
"Bhasha" which gives a voice to the marginalized.
Originally aimed at translating tribal stories and literature from
their language into more mainstream tongues, the group has expanded
to include a large number of activities. Most of its members are
adivasis, and associated is a group of social scientists, writers and
artists with
deep insight into Indian society.
Dr. Devy is
a soft-spoken person, but a powerful speaker. He is extremely
knowledgeable about adivasis, society, politics and policies. He
presents complex ideas with their entire nuance, yet is clear and
eloquent. And he has a special gift for connecting with the young and
the young at heart.
*Directions:*
--------------
From
Beltway, take Exit 25 to Rt.1 South towards College Park. After 2.5
miles and several lights, make Right on Campus Drive to enter Univ of
MD campus. Go past the Big M circle.Pass the bus-stop, and
Stamp Student Union is the building on your right. Go straight on
Campus Drive and park in Lot AA, AA2 or Lot 1. These lots are usually
free after 4.00 PM but please read the parking signs as the
instructions may change.
Juan Ramon Jimenez
Room:
-------------------------
After parking, walk back
towards Stamp Student Union and enter the Stamp
Student Union
building. A detailed map of the Stamp Student Union can be found
at
http://www.union.umd.edu/building/maps.html.
The Jimenez room is on the
Second Floor in Stamp Student Union
(No. 11 in the map for second floor)