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PERIYAR ORGANIZATIONALLY EMPHAZISED SELF RESPECT SINCE 1920
GLOBALIZATION OF PERIYAR IN 2017
Convening International Conference on Periyar Self Respect Movement, at kolin Germany
The social revolutionary, Thanthai Periyar E.V. Ramasamy (1879-1973) founded Self Respect Movement in 1926. The very purpose of starting a movement for the cause of Self Respect was due to the societal set up prevailing then in India and still continuing today. People were discriminated in the name of god and religion and major section of the toiling masses were denied education and were ordained to carry on their hereditary profession strictly. Any person who deviated from the ordain were passed with strictures and punished heavily. When it was ordained as divine, people were made not only to accept their slavery in the society but to glorify and celebrate it, foregoing all the privileges and supremacy to one microscopic cult in the society.
If enslaved people are unaware of their slavery, it is comparatively easy to liberate them by explaining their slavery conditions and the rights denied in the society. But it is very difficult to liberate the enslaved masses who are well aware of their slavery and subjugating themselves happily. Periyar whipped up the Self Respect of such enslaved people and started to liberate them.
At present, the Self Respect Movement has crossed 90 years with the change in name as Dravidar Kazhagam. The enslaved men and the entire women folk got many rights, so far denied to them. All these progressive measures became possible due to the foundation laid by Periyar with foresight. Many of the resolutions passed at the First Madras Provincial Self Respect Conference convened by Periyar in 1929 at Chinglepet, Tamil Nadu, have become realities today.
Self Respect is not confined to any particular sect of the population. It is essential for all humans. As a propaganda process of Globalisation of Periyar (rationalist philosophy) the International Conference on ‘Periyar Self Respect Movement’ has been convened by Periyar International, United States of America.
The German Chapter of Periyar International along with Periyar Maniammai University, Vallam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India, organizes the International Conference at the University of Koln, Germany. The functional wings viz. Centre for Excellence of Periyar Maniammai University and the Department of Indology and Tamil Studies are taking initiatives and endeavors for the success of the conference.
Rationalists, humanists, free thinkers and other progressive minded persons from all parts of the world are participating in the three day conference. Many of the academicians and social activists present their papers for discussions and deliberations. As part of the Conference, ‘K.Veeramani Award for Social Justice 2016’ will be conferred to the stalwart who struggles for the cause of Social Justice. Sizeable number of delegates from Tamil Nadu are attending the Conference.
