Just a thought -
As some of you have experienced, I do get this kind (like the one shown below) of email messages for assistance for worthy causes and charities in India. So far good. All these projects need assistance.
My concern or question is why aren't rich and well-to-do people in India such as Birlas, Ambanis, Tatas, Bachhans, Premjees and a whole lot of other such super rich people not helping these causes?
Some people from our Asian Indian community ask for donation for a Gramin Bank, some ask money for a hospital or a school in rural India and so on. In addition there are always causes related to a particular religious denomination. Further more there is no end in site of the visits by the traveling spiritualists, some Maas and Bapus and Gurus. The Guru export has become one of the major export items. Temple building activities in this country is still an on-going activity. It seems as if there is a competition called I can build a larger temple than you can or some such thing. Sure there are devotees and supporters who patronize such events, but when is a proper time to call enough is enough?
Compare such activities and support there of with philanthropic activities such as endowing a Chair of Indian Studies at a University of choice, donating funds for buying books on India to be donated to a local public library, donating funds for Indian art related cultural centers, supporting Indian cultural events with a capital C.... We always seem to run out of money when time comes for the support of Indian arts in this Country, this country many of us call Home or second HOME, where some of us got educated, where some of us got married, some of us raised family, some of us were able to get our relatives on various kinds of Visas... What do we give back to the community, the city or county, the state and the nation that gave us such opportunity? I know some friends who refuse to contribute to any cultural project because they say they are committed to build a hospital, school or a clinic in their home town in India - all very worthy and enviable. And as if this was not enough we get appeal from the group such as AID and other acronyms that probably includes all the letters of the alphabet.
Mind you I am not begrudging all those who give to or patronize worthy causes in India, but when it comes to indulging in such activities at a cost to such activities in this country that we consider or call HOME it seems blantantly one sided and a very parochial, very narrowly focused philanthropy.
I think it is about time that we think, that we discuss, that we debate, that we speak up...and begin investing in Arts, Culture and Education in this country. There are orphans here too. There are poor and needy people here too. There are homeless people here too... and there is need to increase awareness about Indian arts and culture in this country too - all these are worthy causes and need your support, our support and help.
Thank you all who took time to read this... and Cheers!
Harish
Email message received by Harish Trivedi on July 8, 2009 is reproduced below -
Dear ....,
My name is Sandesh Samdaria. I am a volunteer with Association for India's Development (AID). I am contacting you in regards to spreading the word around (as you/your organization has supported AID in the past) about a fund raising concert (Indian Ocean) organized by AID.
Associationfor India's Development (AID) is a non-profit, voluntary organization that supports a wide variety of social service and development projects addressing problems such as literacy, health care, rural credit, vocational training, women's empowerment and children's welfare.
AID has been presenting "Harmony' cross-cultural programs over the years. Last year, AID presented a tantalizing fusion dance that was highly acclaimed. This year, AID presents Indian Ocean, a world-renowned contemporary fusion music band that plays an an eclectic original mix of various genres - rock, jazz, classical and folk music. Their landmark “Desert Rain” album was number 2 on the iTunes UK world music charts in 2006. In 2003, Indian Ocean was nominated as MTV’s Artists of the Month. They have also performed at numerous prestigious events such as the New Zealand Arts Festival, the Melbourne Arts Festival, and the Smithsonian FolkLife Festival (Washington DC). Indian Ocean will enthrall the tri-state area with its creative energy and their concert will be a richly diverse, cross-cultural experience.
Please visit http://cincinnati.aidindia.org/ for details on the event, and http://www.indianoceanmusic.com/ for information on the band.
Please mark your calendars for October 10th, 2009 (6pm), for this musical extravaganza. All proceeds from the event go towards supporting grassroot developmental works in India. We look forward to your presence at the event.
Feel free to pass along the attached flier to your members if you feel appropriate.
Call me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Sandesh
513-550-5473
AID Cincinnati. http://cincinnati.aidindia.org/
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