DALIT EMPOWERMENT (CENTRE FOR WORLD SOLIDARITY: 2000–2009)
An animation project about Dalit Rights was started in 2000 by VICALP in collaboration with 50 partner communities. Alongside addressing Dalit rights, unity among the Dalit-Adivasi, and the mobilisation of state resources for community development, the animation processes also aimed to create a network of community-based non-governmental organisations. Over time, the Dalit Empowerment process gave rise to the Utkal Dalit Mahasabha-UDMS, an independent state-level Dalit People's Platform that encompasses the entirety of South Odisha.
Through the positive engagement with the state government, facilitated by this forum, the Christian dalits of Odisha were granted Socio-Economically Backward Class-SEBC Status, as well as reservations in employment and school quotas and other economic rights.
