A SOCIAL . . . . . . . . . IN BOMBAY 449
Functions and Activities of the Centre
The Centre proposes to maintain a body workers devoted to the cause of the Untouchables, whose activities will be so planned as to give full effect to the aims and objects of the Centre. Below is given an outline of the activities of the proposed Centre : 1. Offices —
The workers carrying on the various activities hitherto meet and transact their work either in rented buildings or at their own dwelling places. With a view to affording facilities to these activities and to co-ordinating them at a central place, the offices of all such institutions will be accommodated at the Centre.
2. Quarters for the workers of the Centre —
Hitherto there has been a band of selfless voluntary workers who are engaged in carrying on the activities in their spare time. It is now contemplated to knit such workers together and give them a well-channelled scope to devote all their time and energy to the cause of the Untouchables and the removal of their grievances and handicaps.
3. Public Hall —
The necessity of a public hall for the Untouchables has been an acute one. It is intended to construct a fairly large hall accommodating an audience of about 2,500. The hall will be used for holding public meetings, women’s and students’ gatherings, recreational, educational and other social functions.
4. Library and Reading Room —
It is necessary to provide the Untouchables with facilities for the cultivation of their minds with a view to creating among them a sense of appreciation of ideas, art and broad human interests. It is also necessary to provide them with means of engaging their attention during leisure hours to something higher and nobler than is to be found in their drab, dreary life. For this nothing can be more efficacious to serve this objective than the institution of libraries in Untouchable quarters. This will be one of most important activities of the Centre. In addition to this it is