One can fight oppression with violence, or one can fight it with education. Hema Konsotia, a 32-year-old Indian woman, has chosen the latter.
She is helping to change conditions for an estimated 165 million Indian Dalits, also known as "untouchables." They are a mixed population of numerous caste groups throughout South Asia. Although the caste system was abolished under the Indian Constitution, widespread discrimination and prejudice still exist against Dalits, particularly women.
Dalits are frequently denied such basic rights as education, housing, property, freedom of religion, choice of employment and fair treatment before the law. This situation led Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to draw parallels between "untouchability" and apartheid in 2006. As a result of discrimination, Dalits are denied full participation in Hindu social and political life.