An Indian origin professor belonging to the Dalit community has bagged a great honour for her work in the Indian caste system and gender.
Shailaja Paik, an Indian-American history professor, received an impressive $800,000 “genius” grant for her research on Dalit women. It comes from the McArthur Foundation which awards individuals each year who show extraordinary creativity, talent, or potential.
The Foundation praised Paik for shedding light on the ongoing caste discrimination and practices of untouchability in India. Many believe the professor’s research is important to understand how caste and gender pose a great threat to Dalit women.
It’s a very personal project for Paik as she herself comes from a Dalit community in Pune, where she completed her post-graduation. She currently teaches at the University of Cincinnati, inspired by her father’s commitment to education.
Her story is a great inspiration for Indian women who are still shackled by society and face discrimination every day based on their gender, appearance, and cast. Her research is a step in the positive direction in fighting the caste system which remains a harsh reality in modern India.
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