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Breaking Caste

Given opportunity, India's 'untouchable' girls thrive Add to ...

The Globe and Mail is following the story of three students at Prerna, a pair of residential schools for Dalit (or "untouchable") girls in India. This is an update on their lives. Poonam, 16, is excelling in almost every subject at private school: only math gives her trouble. She is building up her courage to speak in English more often. Jyoti, 14, is increasingly focusing on athletics, after winning a series of races in a district-wide competition that involved thousands of students. Laxmi, 13, is taking on a leadership role at Prerna, and is in charge of the karate practice in the school field each afternoon.