SatyaGuru

2009 

April 11

SatyaGuru joined the celebration of the 118th Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, organized by the Southern Asian Institute, Columbia University, New York, and Dr. Ambedkar International Mission Inc.

2008  

May 18

SatyaGuru traveled to New York to attend a NEWVISION meeting at the NY Athletic Club and give a presentation. The discussion focused on the education and economic empowerment of those who are underprivelaged in India.

2007

October 27-28

SatyaGuru traveled to New Jersey to attend the 51st Dhamma Deeksha Day Celebration. SatyaGuru reported on recent activities, including establishing the Nirala Memorial Library, dedicated to the late Bhagwat Nirala and Buri Bhai Nirala; conducting talks about community issues and awareness, health care, promotion of Buddhist and Dr. Ambedkar's philosophy; and launching a campaign/protest against unjust causes and atrocities committed against those in the scheduled castes.

SatyaGuru also responded to the recent article, "Business and Caste in India with Reservations," published in The Economist on October 4, 2007.

September 11-12

SatyaGuru met with local social workers, engineers, teachers, and leaders to form a chapter in Semara, Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. He also traveled to Kasdol, Raipur District of Chhattisgarh, to meet with local government and school employees. Objectives of the Semara and Kasdol chapters include the following:

• Bring about social change and reconstruction
• Review existing customs and local beliefs
• Encourage positive, universal, liberal beliefs and practices based on equality between all humans
• Discourage and/or stop illogical and outdated practices 
• Create a local body of community experts to frame a chapter constitution that incorporates the SatyGuru mission
• Increase awareness of social issues such as women's empowerment, child care, scheduled caste culture, and the philosophies of Dr. Ambedkar and Guru Ghasidas by marching, campaigning, and protesting
• Correct the documentation of the Satnami community, written by non-Satnamies, based on the true principles of Guru Ghasidas (all humans are equal and truth is God)

SatyaGuru also discussed opening the Nirala Memorial Library in Semara, Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. Objectives of this project include the following

• Incorporating a three-in-one building with a fitness center in the basement, community center on the first floor, and library on the second floor
• Conduct regular seminars on local social change; law, regulations, and policy; agriculture/farming; small-business loans; community cooperative businesses; competetive exams and traveling abroad; career guidance; and health and emergency funds and procedures

The meetings included more than 100 people and all ideas were received with enthusiasm and promised support.

August 19

SatyaGuru participated in the India Day Parade in New York City. Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha provided a float decorated with pictures of the Founding Father of Modern India, Dr. Ambedkar, and several of his more profound quotations. Hundreds of those in the scheduled castes now living in the United States participated, and thousands showed up to watch.

July 23

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a historic resolution on untouchability. House concurrent Resolution 139 is the first official statement on untouchability by the U.S. Congress. Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) introduced a concurrent resolution on May 2, 2007, expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should address the problem of untouchability in India. "At best, untouchability involves social segregation, including separate educational facilities, drinking water, and restaurants," Franks said. "This is a sad and familiar tune to many of us in our own country. At worst, untouchability entails widespread violence against untouchable women--especially in the form of rape with impunity, being targeted for abortions, and comprising the majority of temple prostitutes and women trafficked from India. The untouchables are poor, their most basic needs are not fulfilled, and they face great difficulties in accessing employment, education, food, and health care. Most are among the poorest people in the world, living on less than $1 per day. Moreover, scheduled caste women are often sold into bonded prostitution, and there is increasing religious persecution against untouchables who change their faith."

SatyaGuru thanks the U.S. Congress and many others involved in sponsoring this "untouchability" bill.  

July 17

SatyaGuru attended and participated in a staff briefing of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Task Force for International Religious Freedom and the India Caucus on Religious Freedom Conditions in South Asia: The Treatment of Religious Minorities. Satyaguru interacted with congressmen, panel members, and those in the audience during the briefing and gave them the letter he sent to all Maryland senators and congressmen on May 14. In Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, there are legitimate concerns about human rights and religious freedom. In some cases, the situation seems to be worsening.

July 10

SatyaGuru signed a petition to stop the Senate from beginning their session with a Hindu vedic prayer.  SatyaGuru also sent letters to all senators east of the Mississippi River asking that the prayer be stopped. SatyaGuru included the petition in all these letters.

May 14

SatyaGuru sent a letter to all Maryland senators and congressmen.

April 29

SatyaGuru gave a presentation similar to the one given on March 25 about atrocities committed against those in the scheduled castes to Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha of New York.

March 25  

SatyaGuru gave a presentation about atrocities committed against those in the scheduled castes to fellow Ambedkarites.

2006

November 24

SatyaGuru protested in New York near the United Nations building with members of the Ambedkar Center for Justice and Peace. Together, they presented a petition to the Indian Mission for the United Nations.

"For a successful revolution it is not enough that there is discontent. What is required is a profound and thorough conviction of the justice, necessity and importance of political and social rights."

-Dr. B. R. Ambedkar