Dear chief guest Mr Kaki Madhava Rao garu, other dignitaries, and specially Ambedkar scholars,

Jai Bheem!

With great joy I send this message. Thanks to my daughter baby Sravani and Master Pratheek for reading this message.

Though I am thousands of miles away, my mind is hovering around this hall eager to see you all, hear what you say, understand the solidarity, and to imagine the future of these scholars.

My dear scholars, for want to time, I want to emphasize the following points briefly:

Number 1:

Aim high. Nothing is beyond our reach if we try. I know how hard the life is for a Dalit child. Though I am living in US, I have been reading everyday numerous stories of discrimination and atrocities committed on Dalits (including children) even in this technologically advanced age. But you have already proved that you can surpass any hurdles in your path to success. So, work hard and aim for no less than IAS, IPS, IRS, medicine, engineering, PhD etc. Think of going out of your village first, then out of your town, state, and finally out of the country for greater opportunities. Think of working in positions of influence. Your hero should be none other than Dr Ambedkar. Imitating and worshipping cinema actors or cricketers do no good.  Look at our distinguished guests. They were like you once, but now they are in high positions. They should be your role models. Emulate people such as Mr Kaki Madhava Rao garu who was born to illiterate parents and rose to become Chief Secretary of AP. Look at Dr Sudhakar garu who started his life as a child laborer and earned 76 degrees. But how? Only through hard work and determination. No magic to success other than hard work. So, work hard and aim high.

Number 2:

Know Dr Ambedkar. Start with the books we are presenting you now. A very few in the history have changed the lives of so many people as he did. He fought for the rights of every marginalized community – Dalits, Tribals, OBCs, minorities, labor, and women. To me, after reading and comparing him with other human rights leaders of the world, Babasaheb, always comes at the top. His life has a power to change people for better as it did to me. Otherwise, I would be living like an animal that cares nothing but its stomach.  So, brothers and sisters, read, understand, and follow his philosophy. By following what he thought us, you can change yourselves, your family, society, country, and finally the world for better.

Number 3:

Learn English. English is the master key to success and passport to the world. Start reading English books, magazines, newspapers if you understand or not. Listen to English radio. Talk in English wherever possible. Do not feel shy. Let me tell you a real story. Recently, we helped a nursing student Tulasi (she may be in the function). When we first spoke to Tulasi over phone, she was too timid and afraid to talk in English. So I had to translate her for the donor to understand. But, We encouraged her to learn English without fear. She did. To our surprise, the next time (in a couple of months) when we called her again, she was confident in English and spoke directly to the donor while I was listening.  I impressed most when she asked me to buy her an English Dictionary and other English learning books. Who refuses to help such students? With great pride and joy we immediately arranged requested books. You are not different. Try to learn without fear and ask our help if needed. So, concentrate on English most and learn.

Number 4:

Make education a movement. Education is the key to success. Young people are future of this country and you can change it for better. Without education Babasaheb would have been a laborer or at most a  railway gang man. So, give priority to education. Encourage every child in your palle to go to school. Start informal schools in your mala palle, madiga palle. Teach children what you know. Help others small children as we are helping you now. Remember only proper education can improve our condition, nothing else. So, educate yourself and educate around you the values of education.

Number 5:

Live with dignity: Have self-respect and dignity. When I was a child, some of my teachers discouraged me to go to school. Understand that we are not inferior to anyone on the earth. Have confidence in your abilities. If we think we are worthless (as others often say about us), none can save us. Only with confidence in yourself, you can be successful. Know that “Dalit is Dignity” as we are the builders of wealth. Buy and read Kancha Ilaiah’s book “TURNING THE POT, TILLING THE SOIL: DIGNITY OF LABOUR IN OUR TIMES” to understand the contributions made by the so-called lower castes of this country. So, live with self-respect and dignity and show your worth with hard work.

Number 6:

Finally, use the scholarship money only for education. This is not a big amount, but people all over the world trusted you and contributed their hard earned money to encourage you in your studies. This money is not to spend on cloths, shoes, or makeup kits. Use it for extra tuitions, books, study material etc. So, we request you to use this money for educational purpose only. Read the books we present and share them with others.

Please be in touch. Share your success with us. Call Devdas or Rao. Write to me an email or letter. Share with us when you become a doctor, engineer, lawyer, entrepreneur, NRI etc. More over, we are adding more and more projects every year, some of them may be useful to you. Regularly check our website www.friendsforeducation.org to see what is new. Encourage your juniors to study hard to get these scholarships.

Thanks

Benjamin Paul Kaila

Los Angeles, USA