SOUTH INDIAN LEVEL DALIT CONFERENCE

Dear friends, Greetings from Indian Social Institute, Bangalore!   Based on the decision of the Core Team selected from the one-day Dalit Consultation held last year at ISI, I am happy to present to you the programme of the proposed South Indian Level Dalit Conference to be held at ISI, Bangalore from August 2-4,2005.   Objectives of the Dalit Conference To try to evolve a national Dalit Policy which can include the following: Dalits and livelihood, Dalits and land, implementation of laws related to Dalits, implementation of common minimum programmes with Dalit perspective, reservation for SC/ST in private sector, Dalits and employment guarantee scheme, Dalit Christian issues, Dalit women issues, Dalits and political identity, and Dalits and globalisation. To sharpen the ideological orientation, programmes and future of the Dalit Forum supposedly emerging from the conference. To evolve an action plan of the Forum at state and regional level.

PROGRAMMES AND TIME-TABLE

Date	August 2-4, 2005 (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)
Venue	ISI, Bangalore
Themes	1. Towards a National Dalit Policy 2. Future Plan for the Dalit Forum

2nd August
7.45 a.m. 9.00 9.30	Breakfast Registration Inauguration
	Welcome, dynamics	Dr. Mathew Aerthayil S.J. Director, ISI, Bangalore
	Keynoteaddress	Fr. Yesumarian S.J. Founder President Doctor Ambedkar Centenary Movement, Tamil Nadu
10.30	Coffee break
11.00	Input Session - I	Need I Relevance of a Dalit Policy
	Resource Person:	Senior Adv. Bojja Tharakam, Hyderabad
11 .45  12.30 p.m.	Clarifications Lunch break
2.00	Input Session - II Resource Person:	Content and Modality of Evolving a Dalit Policy Senior Adv. Bojja Tharakam

2.45	Clarification, discussion
4.00	Tea break
4.30	Group discussion :	Areas and Content of a Dalit Policy
5.45	General session   :	presentation of reports
6.45	Free
7.30	Supper
8.30	Vedeo film Show
10.30	To rest

3rd August
7.45 a.m	Breakfast
9.00	Presentation of a draft Dalit Policy
9.30	Group discussion on the draft
10.30	Coffee break
11.00	General session : Reporting and finalisation of the draft
12.30 p.m	Lunch break
2.00	Future of the Forum : Introducing the theme
	- Mr. Chand Peer, Staff, ISI - Bangalore
2.15	Discussion
3.00	Group discussion : Objectives, Programmes, Membership, Name, Finance, leadership, relationship with other group etc. of the Forum
4.00	Tea break
4.30	Reporting
6.00	Free
7.30	Supper
8.30	Cultural Programme Statewise : Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
10.30	To rest

4th August
7.45 a.m. 9.00 9.30 10.30 11.00 12.30 p.m 2.00 3.00 4.00	Breakfast Presentation of Concrete suggestions from the discussions : Final shape of the Forum Discussion Coffee break Group discussion : Future action plan of the Forum at the state and regional level Lunch break Reporting and finalising the action plan Evaluation Closing

Guidelines to New Comers a)      If you are traveling by TRAIN get down at the CANTONMENT RAILWAY STATION. Our Institute is in Benson Road, Benson Town which is close by. You can walk or take an autorickshaw from the station through Miller's road to our Institute, which is about 1.5 Kms away from this station. Benson Road is just before the Railway Overbridge on left side of Miller's Road, opposite Benson Town Post Office. Benson Road cuts across Benson Cross Road. ISI is at the end of Benson Road, 5th gate after a small junction. Though the fare is only for a minimum distance, you have to pay a maximum of Rs.15-20. b)      If you are traveling by state BUSES, get down at the MAJESTIC BUS STAND. Go to the BTS bus stand section, which is just on the opposite side of the Inter-city/inter-state bus stand section. From platform 16, Bus No.124, 126, 153,294 and a few other buses come closer to Benson town. Get down at the Coles Park stop and walk across railway line to reach ISI. The auto fare will be between 35-40. If you come by private buses, you may have to take an auto from Kalasipalaya.