Dalits, termed as God’s children (Harijans) by M.K.Gandhi, in actual don’t seem to be so. The Hindu Manudharma actually says each Dalits, the most vulnerable community forms almost 1/3rd of the District’s population. Though in majority The term ‘Dalit’ has its roots in Sanskrit (dal) which means broken, cracked, trodden down, crouched or destroyed.

It is interesting to note that the prophet Isaiah uses this word having the root in Hebrew language ’DAL’ meaning broken or crushed or the poor of the land, and the frail one which denotes the poor or the lowly of the society. It is the self designation of those who are astride of the fowl Hindu caste called in the Indian constitution as ‘Scheduled Castes’. They are not even treated as human beings and are neglected in the society. They are deliberately made poor and outcast though their work is exploited. They are shoved to the corners of the society by the landlords and the upper caste ,who call themselves as aristocrats.

Life Realities of Dalits

Dalits who have played an imperative role in social transformation, do not cultivate the fruits of the reform. Literally speaking Dalits, the manual labours are the legal holders of this civilized world. Kanchipuram District witnesses major cruel incidents against the frail Dalit Community.

The phenomena of atrocities against the Dalits generally understood by the people in terms of physical violence such as rape, murder, hurt, arson, looting and other offences as defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC).Such meaning of atrocities is partial as it does not include cognizance of other aspects and like abusing, humiliating, taunting and making remarks by a person or group against others or socio economic oppression of them.

The Practice of Untouchability

Untouchability means the avoidance of physical contact with persons and things because of beliefs relating to pollution or infection. It is widely prevalent in regard to cultural matters such as temple entry and domestic sphere such as marriage, place of shelter, inter dining and social get together.

Agrarian Dependence

90% of the Dalits in Kanchipuram District are landless agricultural labourers. Low wages for more work, under employment and unemployment are the part and parcel of the occupational life of the Dalit people. They depend on money lenders and rich farmers for their unforeseen expenses. They borrow money from them and most of the income goes for paying the interest. Rural indebtedness is very common in these villages. As a result bonded-labour is prevalent in a disguised manner.

Housing Pattern

Major portion of the Dalits live in huts built with the mud walls and thatched roofing’s. Their huts become easy prey when there are natural as well as human made calamities.

Denial of Self Dignity & Opportunity

The real problem of Dalits is not just economic. It is primarily social & psychological. It is not a color problem. The sense of inferiority and other negative attitudes of the Dalits have remained the same for generations. Fundamentally every Dalit is a victim who is in urgent need of restoring his/her human dignity and human rights.

Discrimination of State Machinery

It is certainly shocking that those in charge of enforcing the law and order more often than not, seen to be conspicuous by their absence when the Dalits are killed or their houses are burnt. There is also a lack of administrative will towards the development of Dalits. The Dalits are considered just as vote banks during the election.

The situation of the Dalits motivated CRDS to intervene and to take initiative to organize the unorganized Dalits for their holistic development. To make Dalits sustainable, CRDS in the past years.

	Formed 1602 SHGs with 235,257 members in 490 villages.
	Gave new life by forming micro credit and income generation
	Adopted 120 villages to provide supplementary education
	Started Pre- schools in 30 villages. Summer coaching classes and career guidance courses are conducted every year
	Trained 250 youth in vocational skills like carpentry, welding, electrical, electronics, tailoring, automobile mechanism, plumbing, driving and sculpture
	Encouraged the 10th & 12th standard students to learn type writing and computer
	Encouraged adolescent girls to pursue their studies ,to play a constructive role and to work out feasible sustainable plans.
	Motivated Women to contest in the Panchayat, State Legislative & Parliamentary Elections.
	Promoted Health Care through Community Health Programme with special emphasis on herbal medicines in 50 villages.