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- Bollywood Night
- Football Games
A talk by Dharmedra Kumar
Date: June 9th, 2009 (Tuesday)
Venue: 260 Willard
Time: 6:00 pm
Admission: Free

 
About Dharmendra ji

Dharmendraji came in contact with a Gyan Vigyan jatha ('jatha' means group) in December 1992 that was performing a cultural program on literacy awareness. Gradually he became a part of this organization (Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samithi). In 1993, he led a cycle jatha from Patna to Keonjhar (Orrisa). This jatha was running from Madhepura (Bihar) to Hyderabad (AP) and was aimed at popularizing the concept of, "Desh ki ekta aur akhandta ke liye saksharta aur vigyan." (Education and science for the unity of the country)

In 1994, Dharmendraji became a state coordinator of the "Joy of learning campaign." The group, All India People Science Network (AIPSN), launched this countrywide campaign. The main slogan was, "Hum Bharat ke bacche maang karte hai ki desh ke sabhi bacchon ko primary education mile aur shiksha majedar ho." (We are children of India and we demand that everyone in our country is provided with primary education and learning should be made fun) In 1995, Dharmendraji coordinated, at the state level, a pro-cosmic voyage by AIPSN. It was a historical program in which effort was made for the first time to transform scientific information into people’s language. Many programs like the sky festival, the sun festival, the brahmand yatra (Journey of the universe), etc were organized. Dharmendraji also led a national cosmic jatha from diamond harbor (WB) to Allahabad (UP).

From 1996 to 1999, Dharmendraji did a lot of new activities like libraries, samta (Women issues), primary education and science awareness activities. From 1999 to 2003, he coordinated a project supported by the Ministry of Human Resource Development called Jeevanshala. He and his team developed a totally alternative pedagogy. During 2004 to 10 December 2007, Dharmendraji coordinated the Hundred Block Program. He also coordinated people’s health movements and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan at the state level.

From January 2008 he became a full timer of AID INDIA and started activities in the Arwal district in Bihar. The main activities he was involved in were library, science, social equity, development and relief. He also led a dozen movements like WSF, ISF and ASF against globalization and human exploitation. He led a couple of jathas to save secularism, sovernity and education. Dharmendraji attended a lot of trainings and workshops and also acted as resource person in trainings.

Dharmendraji studied in very poor conditions. So, he hasn't read a lot. In fact, he studied after he had left college. He saw a computer for the first time while doing social work. He studied about society and the world during his work. He has a qualification of B.A. and diploma in pharmacy. But his education is non-formal. Dharmendraji's main hobby is to learn new things and to teach them to others.

 
Related Info
Past talks

Hetzel Union Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802