ಓದುಗ ಪ್ರಭುಗಳ ಮೆಚ್ಚುಗೆ, ಬಿನ್ನಹ, ಟೀಕೆ ಟಿಪ್ಪಣಿ

Dear Editor:

We just read the timely letter from Dr. M. S. Nataraja on your website. I am sure all the well-meaning Kannadigas of North America agree and support the action ideas and positive criticisms that are articulated by Dr. Nataraja. The pains within AKKA as a whole, is mainly due to its structural failure because of the ineffective and unproductive constitution. The Articles of Incorporation and the bylaws of AKKA do not meet the standards for a nonprofit entity; the organizers of the World Millennium Kannada conference -2000 brought out this fact, as early as 1998-99. The present structure allows and tolerates misdeeds and mismanagement. At this time, there is no meaning in looking for people to blame, and to forever wallow in the mess that now seems to affect the pride of every AmeriKannadiga.

I think the time has come for all the major Kannada Kootas of US and Canada, to step up to their responsibilities toward their own membership. Jointly, and cooperatively, these major Kootas should revamp, overhaul, and re-start on the concepts, goals, and objectives toward the glorious dreams of the Kannadiga Diaspora; right now it is a nightmare come true. The only thing good about AKKA is its "name!"

Subby Subramanyam
Conference Secretary for WMKC-2000
Houston, Texas

Dear Editor,

This an reply and my views about the article written by Dr. M. Nataraj.

The article written by Ameri Kannadiga Writer Dr. Mysore Nataraj from Maryland, USA in www.thatskannada.com is like giving inspiration to all kannadigas in North America.

Enough is Enough, a plea for peace in AKKA, by My.Sri. Nataraja

This is a timely article by Dr. Nataraj by looking at the things happening in AKKA. AKKA as an Organizaton has to wakeup and listen to the advice of Dr. Nataraj and act properly in AKKA.

As ti says Association of Kannada Kootas of America "AKKA" is an APEX body of Kannada Kooats in North America.

All Presidents of Charter Member Kannada Kootas of AKKA have to come together and act in a united way to bring all kannadigas in North America together by Rewriting the AKKA Constitution and By-Laws and adopted in General Body Meeting of AKKA. This AKKA Constitution and By-Laws should be time tested to match any National Organization like AKKA in North America.

Elder Kannadigas who took so much trouble and spent time in starting Kannada Kootas in 60s, 70s and 80s should take a note of this article by Dr. Nataraj and come forward and take part to Strengthen the hands of Presidents of Charter Member Kannada Kootas of AKKA and help in the process of Redirecting AKKA in the correct path for the benfit of all current and future Ameri Kannadigas.

Jai Bhuvaneswari ! Jai Kannada !

Thanks
sincerely
V. M. Kumaraswamy
USA

Hello Sir,
Now a days most of the news on this portal is on "Akka" only. Why do not you shift the gear. Name "thatsakka.com" better suits for this site now.
regards,

Siddaling
City ?

Dear Dr.Nataraj

I saw your article.It has very good suggestions. Let Akka grow on its own strength!

B A Sanadi
City ?

Dear Sri Nataraja,

An Excellent article. It is very well written with an open and unbiased mind. It is thought provoking. It has lot of practical suggestions. It shows your genuine concern for the cause of kannada in USA.

Congratulations and Kudos to you.
Regards...

Vishvanath Hulikal
Cupertino, CA

Dear thats kannada editor:
I salute Mr.Nataraj for his great and concerned write up on the unfortunate AKKA episode. I concurr with every thing he says. I sincerely hope that some concerned Kannadigas like Mr.Nataraj get involved and save AKKA from future such happenings.

Hosalli Gangadhara
City ?

Dear Readers:

The writers view on the ego-centric persons behaviour is correct. This shamefull acts could be extended to all the groups. We the Indian origin Americans seems to forget the fact that to survive in this country we have to be united. If we want our children to follow Hindhu principles we have a to set an example. Some of us think that we do not want any temple or a United front for our existance here. It is true for a short term but on the long run we need unity.

I always hear form the rich and well settled Indians that they do not need a temple or an organisation to live. Yes to live as an individual, we do not need anybody. We can go to work, get our paycheck and spend the weekend watching TV or praying at home. When a crisis hits the group, if there are any changes in the current laws of land are changed nobody can fight that individually. There should be a well connected and established gruop that can fight for all and help us survive the crisis.

In the interest of the current first generation Indians and in the interest of the future generations it is important we project a clean image in the society as we have done in the working circle. Any hatredness or divisions we preach and practice in the community is dangerous for our existance here in the long run.

Thim Setty
USA

Dear Sham,
People of Indian Origin living outside India are currently working very hard to change the perception by the Western media, how and what it reports about India to the Western world. Not that India does not have the cultural abundance or the intellectuals, but, the picture presented by the Western media is not the one that makes India look good in the eyes of the West. Currently many Indian Organizations are struggling to change this perception in the Western world.

For more than 35 years, Indian Organizations, and in particular Kannada Kootas in the United States of America have been functioning quietly, serving the Kannadigas in their own regions and promoting Kannada and its culture. These organizations never looked for publicity or recognition. Hundreds of artists, poets and writers have come to America, performed in these organizations, behave decently and returned happily.

As an Editor and a responsible person, you should devote more time in recognizing and writing about these volunteer organizations that have been peacefully and patiently serving the cause of Kannada Community.

Within 3 years of its founding, AKKA has made more news and noise than all the Kannada Organizations have done over 30 years. It would have been OK , if all the noise we hear about AKKA is pleasant and worth appreciating. To the contrary, it has been creating problems for itself, getting recognition when it does not deserve, getting plenty of ridiculing, and more than anything, making the Kannadigas sick and tired of its news. The Office bearers are seen in the eyes of the public, always in the middle of a controversy, whether it involved C. Aswath or the Hampi University or the artists it invites from Karnataka.

You yourself published in your news papers, the ugly way in which Appagere Thimmaraju and Muddukrishna behaved in the Detroit Conference. We also witnessed their behavior on the stage, which is a total disgrace to all of us. Now, AKKA goes to Bangalore and honors these same artists !!! and you report it in your papers ??? The greatest service that you can do to Kannada right now, is to stop writing about AKKA and its ongoing saga of war of words within itself.

Intellectuals like Dr. Nataraj have already suggested what AKKA has to do , to redeem its name.. In fact, Kannadigas are just laughing at AKKA, the controversies it is creating for itself and for that reason, are staying away from it, instead of getting involved and contributing to its growth.
News paper articles and photos and publicity here and there, are not the yard sticks to measure the performance of an Organization. The real measure of its performance comes from its own members, who enrich Kannada culture by actively supporting it. The continuous operation of New York Kannada Koota, Cauvery of Washington and many more such organizations are shining examples of Kannadigas. Hope AKKA can learn something from these Organizations.

AKKA has been in the middle of controversy for over 3 years. It has defamed all the NRI kannadigas and done enough damage. The Chief Minister of Karnataka has also given a piece of advise. Hope AKKA can understand what these Kannadigas are telling it to do.

Vatsa Kumar, USA

Hello thatskannada,

Natarjs call is really cool. One of the honest kannada writing I have read to date about akka galate. My suggestion to the author : Please write a poem about attitudes of our people, contextually !

Usha Rani,
Gadikallu ( Koppa)

Sham

I read Natarajs article about AKKA on Vijaya Karnataka too ( 5 Jan, 2003) . Wonderful piece of writing. His concern for NRIs and prescriptions to ailing akka is the need of the hour. Good luck to Kannada people, whereever they are.

K.T. Chandrashekher,
Padmanabhanagar

Dear Readers,

I emigrated to Canada via USA in the year 1973. After settling down in Toronto, me and my wife took the initiative to start a Kannada Sangha. Together with few friends we arranged a meeting and with a constitution in place, Kannada Sangha was born. Our intention was to have a family type of organization to help each other and new comers to Canada and arrange cultural activities. After few years, self centered people with ultra motives of self promotion used Kannada Sangha as a conduit for self promotion in local government body. Subtle caste politics crept in. There was fierce competition to become the President for getting Rajyotsava award in Bangalore. Private lobbying to bring politicians from India was taking place. A Kannada seminar was arranged. Ironically the President of Kannada Sangha whose mother tongue was Malayalam could not utter a word in Kannada and spoke eloquently in English much to the amusement of then Chief minister of Karnataka Mr. Hegde.The real founders were pushed out. If they dared to be in the committee they were insulted ,by even writing private vulgar letters. Those responsible were even given a open reprimand. The constitution was rewritten and passed without the necessary 2/3 majority requirement as stipulated in the constitution. The election was rigged to bring in a ineligible candidate as President because he was in office for two consecutive years. No body except one or two was elected to the committee. Later people were drafted to the committee. So much about Toronto Kannada Sangha.

Now coming to the point of trouble with Akka, rabble rousers were from Canada who had nothing to do with USA based AKKA crying foul with irregularities. One group of people aligns with the past Prime Minister of India who is now powerless and another group aligns with the present Chief Minister in power. Invitations were sent on forged signature of the President.They broadcast CMs speech live from Bangalore in USA at a enormous cost. Everybody goes to Bangalore to wash their dirty laundry from USA. What can the CM of Karnataka can do, other than giving private interviews to these characters. Why cant these people go to Bangalore and enjoy their holidays like any body else and come back. Who in their right mind in Bangalore wants to hear about this non sense of what taking place in far off USA. They have their great pro Tamil and anti Kannada hero Mr. Veerappan to contend with. This thug is doing his seva to Kannada raja rajeshwari with the help of local Kannada thugs.

What a ridiculous saga of Kannada promotion. If the pioneers of Karnataka like Mr. Aloor Venkata Rao or Pha.Gu. Halakatti were alive today, they would be wondering what the hell has gone wrong with Kannadigas. Saints of Karnataka like Sri Purandharadasa or Basavanna might have had second thoughts of getting involved with Kannada itself.

Siri Kannadam Gelge,

Nagaraja Rao
Toronto

English summary

Heat and dust of AKKA Controversy : Letters to the editor