This past year was a lost year
for Andhra Pradesh’s development, as many things came to a standstill due to
the bifurcation issue. It is likely that we have passed the point of no return
in terms of 2- state formation. The debate is still heated however, on the pros
and cons. Positions are strong and people are emotional. Media reports are fanning the flames. All this is exacerbated now with a high
stakes election. It is therefore likely that the bifurcation will take place in
an atmosphere of mistrust and argument. Do we want to start a new phase in the
history of the Telugu people in this way?
1. A role for expatriate Telugus?
In this scenario, there is a possibility that
out-of-state Telugus can play a role in having a better outcome for both the
new states in the process. We expatriates are patriotic about our homeland. At
the same time, living outside, we may have less self-interested or emotional
views than those who live in the state. I emphasise “may”! Many of us are
well-to-do and have reached positions of prominence and respect and therefore
our voice may be listened to and our views given serious consideration. We may be seen as a dispassionate group
without an agenda, and therefore trusted by people from both states. It is possible therefore that the expatriate
Telugu community can contribute towards the historic bifurcation happening in a
harmonious way, to the betterment of all Telugus.
As one step to realizing this,
I propose a workshop that we have in Bangalore open to all Telugu people from
Bangalore and surrounding areas. I am proposing this as an individual and not
with an organizational affiliation, and my idea is that this can be done by
interested people in the Telugu community in Bengaluru coming together.
2. Objective of the meeting
-
Inform ourselves about the issues
-
Reduce the wide spread in positions amongst ourselves by
participating in exercises to see the others’ points of view
-
See if there are avenues for us to contribute in the days to
come for a trust-based, peaceful and orderly transition to a 2 state
arrangement and set up some structures for making this happen
The above objectives and the
agenda for the meeting are not finalized at this point and are to be co-created
by those participating in this project. However the fundamental tenets on which
this project is conceived is to create unity and harmony among Telugus even if
we are to be separated by administrative boundaries.
The intention is to hold the
meeting on May 11 2014 in Bangalore.
3. The purpose of this note
This note is to solicit
interest to form a group that will organize this workshop.
Opportunities for you in participating in this project:
-
Get connected to fellow
Telugus in Bangalore. Broaden your network
-
Take action on a matter close
to your heart and on which you feel strongly about
-
Develop your capacity in
the to-do areas below
The time commitment for this
need not be high. You could join the communication group for this and see what
tasks you could take up within your constraints. Many tasks will be doable
without needing to travel.
Don’t hesitate to join on
grounds that you don’t know enough about the issue. That is not at all a
criterion. Few of us are likely to be very well-informed. Your participation is
an opportunity to learn!
Tasks
·
Come up with a nice name
in Telugu for this project and the meeting.
·
Set up a communication
system for the organizing group
·
Find a venue and book
it. (Is there a space that we can get free or at minimal cost?)
·
Decide the agenda
·
Invite some prominent
people whose commitment to greater good of all Andhraites is widely accepted, to
attend and to provide an in-depth and informed view from different perspectives.
·
Raise funds at whatever
level is needed to carry out the workshop. Manage finances properly and
transparently
·
Create a flyer about the
event and disseminate widely
·
Create media interest and
coverage
·
Organise the logistics
for the event
·
Document the event
properly
·
Do follow ups post event
Would you like to join the
organizing group or find out more? Contact whoever forwarded you this mail or Vijay
Krishna at despoki.1971@gmail.com , 98801 37097.
