Some more on the Directory of Hindi Scholars and GOI
Rao Veluri (rveluri@smtpgate.anl.gov)
Thu, 10 Apr 97 15:38:13 CST
Several friends asked me if I have seen a copy of the letter from the
Embassy of India that referred to the publication of the Directory of
Hindi Scholars living overseas.
The answer is Yes. I have a copy of the letter.
I am posting the copy and my e:mail reply to the Embassy of India.
This is in addition to the letter I posted on TELUSA and SCIT
yesterday which I have faxed to the Embassy of India. I have also
mailed copies to the Prime Minister Hon. Deve Gouda and the Chief
Minister of AP, Hon. Chandrababu Naidu.
Some of you might conclude that I am nuts; may be I am!
___________________________________________________________________
_______________ ________________
MINISTER (PRESS) LOGO EMBASSY OF INDIA
Telephone:(202) 939-7041 2107 Massachussets Avenue, N.W.
Fax.(202)462-7276 Washington, D.C. 20008
March 27, 1997
Dear _____________________(name deleted)
India celebrates this year as the 50th anniversary of our
independence. The Government and people of India are planning a number
of cultural activities to celebrate this occasion. The Indian Council
for Cultural Relations(ICCR) is considering to bring out a Directory
of Hindi Professors, Scholars and Writers living overseas. As you
would agree it will be an invaluable tool in bringing together people,
such as yourself, who are involved in this scholarly pursuit. The
planned directory is expected to include brief personal background,
photograph, educational qualifications, position(s) held, published
works, awards and honors received.
The main purpose of this letter is to collect above information from
the Hindi Scholars living in the United States. I understand that
though your area of interest lies in South Asia, your scholarly
activities may not be focused on Hindi. In that case, I would
appreciate if you could kindly pass this information to your
colleagues who specialize in this area.
I thank you very much for your time and if you need further
information, please feel free to call me or Suresh Ramal at
202/939-7043 or email: research@indiagov.org.
Sincerely,
(sd) Shiv S. Mukherjee
____________________________________________________________________
Here is my email to Hon. Mukherjee and Hon. Suresh Ramal:
Hon. Shiv S. Mukherjee
Hon. Suresh Ramal
Embassy of India
2107 Massachusetts Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20008
April 10, 1997
It has come to my attention that on the occassion of the 50th
anniversary of India's independence, the Indian Council for Cultural
Relations (ICCR) funded by the Government of India is planning to
bring out a Directory of Hindi Scholars living overseas.
I do not understand why scholars from one language are singled out
for this honor at the expense of numerous scholars involved with
other Indian languages. Now, if this venture is sponsored by
a private outfit, then we have no qualms. But, if the Government
of India which is supposed to protect and 'treat' all national
languages on same par, regrettably takes the lead in orchestrating and
perpetrating petty parochial notions, then one has no recourse but to
protest, strongly condemn this action and discourage participation by
all scholars living overseas, irrespective of their expertise and
language affiliations.
You leave us no choice but to publicize in the media available to us,
electronic and otherwise this blatant discrimination and linguistic
chauvinism aided and abetted by the Government of India.
Yours Sincerely,
V. Rao Veluri
____________________________________________________________________
regards.
venkateswara rao veluri