Re: Some more on the Directory of Hindi Scholars and GOI

Bapa Rao (brao@tis.com)
Wed, 16 Apr 1997 16:49:19 -0700 (PDT) 

Dear Venkateswara Rao garu,

What the government is doing is ridiculous and stupid. I think the matter 
should be given the widest possible publicity. If possible, Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu should be asked why a government of which he is a supporter is to
be allowed to behave in this crass manner. I'll be glad to sign my name
to a protest if it will help. If there are other ways in which you think
I may help, please let me know.

Since the Deccan Chronicle is on the web, it is a simple matter to send
a copy of your correspondence to their editorial staff as a beginning.

Regards,

Bapa Rao


> 
>      
>      
>      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
> 
> 
>