Leaders ignorant about problems of poor: Writer

“Problems of the poor and marginalised sections of society cannot be understood by people who have not experienced them. Our problem is that individuals ignorant about problems of the poor are our leaders,” said writer Kalegowda Nagawara here on Saturday.

Speaking at a workshop to discuss the problems of nomadic, semi-nomadic and denotified tribes, organised by Dr B R Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre and Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Studies, Research and Extension Centre, University of Mysore, he blamed that the prevalence of inequality in society was due to the impact of aristocracy and clergy in society.

He urged the State government to start a scheme in which provisions are made to write biographies of illiterate people in rural areas, so that the problems and heritage of rural areas are appreciated.

duals should be trained in various culinary practices of the State. Arrangements should be made for them to establish hotels, so that the variety in rural cuisine can be experienced by people all over the country, he said.

Kuppe Nagaraju, author of ‘Alemari Antharanga’, a book which was released on the occasion, said, nomadic, semi-nomadic and declassified tribes still lacked voter IDs, ration cards and could not afford to build a house.

He lamented that there had been no political representation from these communities since independence, and added that political representation could better the status of these communities.