Re[2]: Some more on the Directory of Hindi Scholars and GOI
Rao Veluri (rveluri@smtpgate.anl.gov)
Thu, 17 Apr 97 10:15:00 CST
Sri Bapa Rao (4/16/97 6:56 PM) writes:
"---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.---"
I have already sent the following letter to The Hindu and The Deccan
Chronicle. I do not hold any copyright to my protest letter. If you agree,
please tag your signature and send it again! Or, feel free to correct,
edit, polish and change my letter and mail it.
You can tag my name to it too!
Thanks and Regards.
__________________________________________________________________________
Letter to The Editor : For favor of Publication
V. R. Veluri
6903 Sweetbriar Lane
Darien Illinois 60561
Tel:630.271.1065(H)
Tel:630.252.4252(W)
The Editor
April 15, 1997
Dear Editor:
An official letter signed by Hon. Shiv S. Mukherjee, Minister (Press)
of the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C., has been circulated to
scholars in South Asian Studies living in the USA. The letter opens as
follows:
"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 letter further adds: " 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."
We do not understand why scholars from one language are singled out for
this honor to be bestowed upon at the expense of the tax payer and
belittling numerous scholars involved with other national languages of
India. If this venture is sponsored by a private organization involved
with the promotion, propaganda and publicity of Hindi, then there is
absolutely no problem. But if the GOI which is supposed to protect and
treat all national languages on same par, regrettably takes the lead
in orchestrating and perpetrating parochial notions, then one has no
recourse but to vehemently protest, strongly condemn this callous
action by the Government of India.
The message in the GOI letter is rather clear: that one language group
is more equal than the others. This attitude is quite damaging to the
very notion that India is a nation concerned for the united coperation
India's linguistic, cultural, and literary groups.
It is deplorable to see the Government of India blatantly aiding and
abetting linguistic discrimination by indirectly claiming and
proclaiming that one language group to carry the banner of the entire
nation. Such an irresponsible act of chauvinism by the GOI leaves us no
choice but to publicize in the media, electronic and otherwise, and
discourage participation by all scholars irrespective of their
expertise and language affiliation.
Yours Sincerely,
V. R. Veluri
_______________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>