25/08/2010
It has been a case of shock and outrage not just in the whole of India but even the world after the Viswanathan Anand goof-up by the bureau'crazy' India. MSN Readers were busy coming up with their reactions and we welcome every one of them. The unanimous verdict from across all sections - apology not enough. People responsible should face action.
Former and current Olympains have slammed the bureaucracy for meting out this kind of treatment to India's greatest sportsperson. Abhinav Bindra , Beijing Olympics Gold medallist has termed this incident as a very unfortunate one.
" Whatever has happened with Anand is extremely disappointing as he is a big hero and should get his dues. He should be respected".
3-time Hockey Olympian and Padma Shri Awardee Mukesh Kumar termed the incident as a big insult. "I can tell you it is not the first time such a thing has taken place. I have faced it too many times and even two years ago I had to go through similar hell with bureaucrats. Such things should never happen again. Being a Hyderabadi, I am feeling especially ashamed as this incident has taken place in Hyderabad", said Mukesh.
MSN Readers too have been sharp and incisive with their verdict on the shocking incident. There has been 'mass' outrage and our Readers have come up with some pointers that will certainly leave our bureaucrats a shamed lot. The unanimous verdict from MSN Readers is that an apology is simply not enough and there has to be stricter action in this whole saga. Some readers went to the extent of saying bureaucrats should be dismissed for this lapse. Most readers even sought a more conclusive response from Kapil Sibal and said they were disappointed by the HRD Minister's response. We have pieced together some pointers from our readers..
- HRD Ministry's apology not enough. The PM should say sorry to Anand
- Why did it take 90 days for Anand's file to move from one clerical desk to other if Sibal's claims that he cleared it on May 22nd are true?
- Who is the boss in the HRD Ministry? Sibal Sahib or the clerks?
- Vishwanathan Anand towers over most men, especially the politicians and the bureaucrats...Even the Doctorate cannot sum up the worth of this great legend. All those in seats of power should learn humility from him
- Shame, humiliation and what not! What else bureaucrats in India are known for? Mr. Sibal, please expose the name of the officer who questioned Anand's nationality.
- Are not people holding Indian Passports are Indian citizens? Those HRD officials need reorientation.
- Even the President and Prime Minister should take up the issue seriously and all Parliamentarians irrespective of their Parties should also put up the matter before Parliament.
What is clear from the verdict of the MSN Readers and sportspersons is that this is a case of national shame and the guilty should not be let off with a small apology!
When will such 'humiliation' stop?
Sibal has blamed 'procedural delay' as the reason for the goof-up and added he was keen to award the Doctorate now but since Anand is 'upset', he will not be able to attend the event, which is why Anand likely to be conferred at a later date.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Sibal said, " Viswanathan Anand's file was cleared by me on May 22nd. It had to go the 'Visitor' and get the clearance there. Due to procedural delays, it could not be completed. I now take the responsibility as a HRD Minister to ensure Anand is conferred the Degree soon".
Virtually running for cover, Sibal added " We should be proud of people like Anand who are a part of global excellence by Indians and there is no way such a thing should have happened". But, what was shocking about Sibal's response was one line that stood out.
"Anand's file cannot be sent separately to the 'Visitor' (President's Office) but a consolidated bunch of files will be sent for clearance. That is the procedure which is followed".
It was a clear case of too little too late from the HRD Minister, who even tried to share the blame with the University of Hyderabad. The Minister also urged people to close the issue as it was resolved. But, the question Mr. Sibal is, who will own up responsibility for such s shameful incident? Meanwhile, the World Champion himself was unfazed by the controversial developments. Anand looked cheerful as he arrived to a grand reception at the International Congress of Mathematicians.
He may be upset over the Union Human Resources Development Ministry questioning his nationality but Vishy did not show it. The chess wizard enthusiastically walked into the huge hall at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre to take on simultaneously on 40 mathematicians from across the globe in a game of chess.Reacting to the controversy, Vishwanathan's wife Aruna said they were not disappointed but irritated at the developments.
"I don't think we are disappointed, it is just that it is irritating to answer these questions. Anand has always had an Indian passport and is still an Indian passport holder. So restating the obvious is a bit irritating.
"I was asked to send a copy of Anand's passport which I did. That is the only piece of information I have. I don't know what transpired between them" Meanwhile, the Head of Mathematics Department at University of Hyderabad Raja Tandon released a statement in which he said, "The Executive Committee of ICM 2010 and University of Hyderabad is deeply saddened by the fact that the special convocation to confer an Honorary Degree on one of our greatest sports personalities Viswanathan Anand could not be held because of insensitive bureaucratic obstructions".
At a time when most Indian sports associations are wooing Players of Indian Origin to play for India, a person who has put India above everything else in life has not been given the status of an 'Indian' by the Human Resource Development Ministry.
World Chess Champion and icon to every Indian chess lover, Viswanathan Anand has been in the news over 'confusion' owing to his citizenship status after an Honorary Doctorate was announced by the organisers of the International Congress of Mathematicians,2010 currently underway in Hyderabad. Anand himself reached Hyderabad along with Professor Mumford, a world renowned algebraic geometer from Harvard University who was also to receive the Honour and the duo were put up in a hotel room. Anand was hoping the clearances from the HRD Ministry would be completed before Sunday and the Convocation could go on as scheduled on Monday. But, that didn't happen for inexplicable reasons. The HRD Ministry felt Anand was not an Indian or in other words, Anand was a foreigner!
The proposal to honour Anand was not an overnight decision. The Executive Organising Committee (EOC) of the International Congress of Mathematicians had mooted this idea many years ago and were aptly supported by the University of Hyderabad. The UoH got the respective clearances from the Executive Bodies of the University back in February this year before they were forwarded to Ministry of Human Resource Development in June 2010.
All was well till a top Bureaucrat of MHRD had questioned Anand's nationality and gave indications that the proposal would need clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs. This evoked sharp reaction from the Organisers of ICM and the message also reached Aruna Anand, wife of Vishy. . On knowing the developments, Aruna dashed off a letter in which she minced no words and even sent a copy of Anand's Indian passport.
Sources also indicate to MSN India that the Organisers (EOC) made a last ditch attempt to approach the President's Office to obtain an automated mandate to go ahead with the Convocation. But, with no response reaching Hyderabad till as late as Sunday night, the proposal was shelved leaving Anand baffled, disgusted and confused. It is a known fact that Anand has been living in Spain for many years but all along he has maintained that his residency outside of India is only to keep in sync with the game of chess that is governed by a number of factors which also include acclimatisation of conditions. He and his wife Aruna have been categorical that they are very much Indians.
Anand has been one sportsperson, who has not been involved in a single controversy throughout his life. Anand was scheduled to receive the award in Hyderabad as he was to play simultaneous chess with 35 mathematicians and 5 nominees of Infosys and the youngest player in the lot Palden Ball, who is just 12. The incident sure takes the sheen away from such a wonderful moment of many brains at one location. HRD Minister Kapil Sibal stepped in after the controversy was brought to light by the media. He has assured Anand personally after speaking to him personally on the issue. Sibal also promised Anand that he would be given the Honorary Doctorate.
The big questions that tumble out from the controversy...
1. Why did the Ministry of HRD sit on the proposal for some long?
2. Where was Kapil Sibal for the last 3 months since the proposal was sent to the MHRD?
3. Does it need a media reminder to our Ministers to act on humiliations?
4. Why did the HRD Ministry revert twice to UoH on the same issue of Anand's citizenship? Was the HRD Ministry lurking in a zone of double standards?
5. Who is to blame for treating one of India's greatest sportspersons in such a humiliating manner?
These questions may remains unanswered for sometime but it is sad that a player who loves donning Indian colours is questioned about his citizenship.
This isn't the first time an Indian sportsperson has been subject to pain and humiliation by a Ministry in India. There were at least 3 instances in the last year or so that catches attention..
India's sprint queen who is the doyen of Indian athletics was provided pathetic accommodation where she was made to share a single room with 5 others during the National Open Athletics meet at Bhopal last year. Usha even broke down during the press conference .
Badminton ace Saina Nehwal was made to run from pillar to post for the renewal of her passport in Hyderabad by the Regional Passport Officer just 2 days before she had to play in the World Super Series Masters Final Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. After much media intervention, the Ministry woke up and fast tracked her passport issue and ensured the ace shuttler did not miss the flight to Malaysia.
When Pullela Gopichand took Saina for an informal meet with Sports Minister M. S. Gill after the Beijing Olympics, the former All-England Champion wasn't even identified by the man who runs sport in India. He had to introduce himself as 'I am Gopichand, the National Coach of Indian Badminton'.
Hard to even read about such instances leave alone facing them. When will such things stop in Indian sport?
Source: Rajesh Viswanathan, India Syndicate
K.Venugopal
#1
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 11:53:19
This is truly a case of the media making a mountain out of a molehill. Bureaucratic howlers are not uncommon and in most cases are as innocent as typographical errors. The Indian in Vishvanathan Anand cannot ever be taken away and even if he himself takes up Spanish citizenship, that would only be a technical right he could be availing himself of and in no way reduces his Indianness. Considering that the Minister concerned has apologized, it is clear that there is no controversy. The incident must sensitivise bureaucrats to apply their minds while at work, even if the work is often somewhat mechanical in nature.
http://sports.in.msn.com/othersports/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4298411&page=0
It has been a case of shock and outrage not just in the whole of India but even the world after the Viswanathan Anand goof-up by the bureau'crazy' India. MSN Readers were busy coming up with their reactions and we welcome every one of them. The unanimous verdict from across all sections - apology not enough. People responsible should face action.
Former and current Olympains have slammed the bureaucracy for meting out this kind of treatment to India's greatest sportsperson. Abhinav Bindra , Beijing Olympics Gold medallist has termed this incident as a very unfortunate one.
" Whatever has happened with Anand is extremely disappointing as he is a big hero and should get his dues. He should be respected".
3-time Hockey Olympian and Padma Shri Awardee Mukesh Kumar termed the incident as a big insult. "I can tell you it is not the first time such a thing has taken place. I have faced it too many times and even two years ago I had to go through similar hell with bureaucrats. Such things should never happen again. Being a Hyderabadi, I am feeling especially ashamed as this incident has taken place in Hyderabad", said Mukesh.
MSN Readers too have been sharp and incisive with their verdict on the shocking incident. There has been 'mass' outrage and our Readers have come up with some pointers that will certainly leave our bureaucrats a shamed lot. The unanimous verdict from MSN Readers is that an apology is simply not enough and there has to be stricter action in this whole saga. Some readers went to the extent of saying bureaucrats should be dismissed for this lapse. Most readers even sought a more conclusive response from Kapil Sibal and said they were disappointed by the HRD Minister's response. We have pieced together some pointers from our readers..
- HRD Ministry's apology not enough. The PM should say sorry to Anand
- Why did it take 90 days for Anand's file to move from one clerical desk to other if Sibal's claims that he cleared it on May 22nd are true?
- Who is the boss in the HRD Ministry? Sibal Sahib or the clerks?
- Vishwanathan Anand towers over most men, especially the politicians and the bureaucrats...Even the Doctorate cannot sum up the worth of this great legend. All those in seats of power should learn humility from him
- Shame, humiliation and what not! What else bureaucrats in India are known for? Mr. Sibal, please expose the name of the officer who questioned Anand's nationality.
- Are not people holding Indian Passports are Indian citizens? Those HRD officials need reorientation.
- Even the President and Prime Minister should take up the issue seriously and all Parliamentarians irrespective of their Parties should also put up the matter before Parliament.
What is clear from the verdict of the MSN Readers and sportspersons is that this is a case of national shame and the guilty should not be let off with a small apology!
When will such 'humiliation' stop?
Sibal has blamed 'procedural delay' as the reason for the goof-up and added he was keen to award the Doctorate now but since Anand is 'upset', he will not be able to attend the event, which is why Anand likely to be conferred at a later date.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Sibal said, " Viswanathan Anand's file was cleared by me on May 22nd. It had to go the 'Visitor' and get the clearance there. Due to procedural delays, it could not be completed. I now take the responsibility as a HRD Minister to ensure Anand is conferred the Degree soon".
Virtually running for cover, Sibal added " We should be proud of people like Anand who are a part of global excellence by Indians and there is no way such a thing should have happened". But, what was shocking about Sibal's response was one line that stood out.
"Anand's file cannot be sent separately to the 'Visitor' (President's Office) but a consolidated bunch of files will be sent for clearance. That is the procedure which is followed".
It was a clear case of too little too late from the HRD Minister, who even tried to share the blame with the University of Hyderabad. The Minister also urged people to close the issue as it was resolved. But, the question Mr. Sibal is, who will own up responsibility for such s shameful incident? Meanwhile, the World Champion himself was unfazed by the controversial developments. Anand looked cheerful as he arrived to a grand reception at the International Congress of Mathematicians.
He may be upset over the Union Human Resources Development Ministry questioning his nationality but Vishy did not show it. The chess wizard enthusiastically walked into the huge hall at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre to take on simultaneously on 40 mathematicians from across the globe in a game of chess.Reacting to the controversy, Vishwanathan's wife Aruna said they were not disappointed but irritated at the developments.
"I don't think we are disappointed, it is just that it is irritating to answer these questions. Anand has always had an Indian passport and is still an Indian passport holder. So restating the obvious is a bit irritating.
"I was asked to send a copy of Anand's passport which I did. That is the only piece of information I have. I don't know what transpired between them" Meanwhile, the Head of Mathematics Department at University of Hyderabad Raja Tandon released a statement in which he said, "The Executive Committee of ICM 2010 and University of Hyderabad is deeply saddened by the fact that the special convocation to confer an Honorary Degree on one of our greatest sports personalities Viswanathan Anand could not be held because of insensitive bureaucratic obstructions".
At a time when most Indian sports associations are wooing Players of Indian Origin to play for India, a person who has put India above everything else in life has not been given the status of an 'Indian' by the Human Resource Development Ministry.
World Chess Champion and icon to every Indian chess lover, Viswanathan Anand has been in the news over 'confusion' owing to his citizenship status after an Honorary Doctorate was announced by the organisers of the International Congress of Mathematicians,2010 currently underway in Hyderabad. Anand himself reached Hyderabad along with Professor Mumford, a world renowned algebraic geometer from Harvard University who was also to receive the Honour and the duo were put up in a hotel room. Anand was hoping the clearances from the HRD Ministry would be completed before Sunday and the Convocation could go on as scheduled on Monday. But, that didn't happen for inexplicable reasons. The HRD Ministry felt Anand was not an Indian or in other words, Anand was a foreigner!
The proposal to honour Anand was not an overnight decision. The Executive Organising Committee (EOC) of the International Congress of Mathematicians had mooted this idea many years ago and were aptly supported by the University of Hyderabad. The UoH got the respective clearances from the Executive Bodies of the University back in February this year before they were forwarded to Ministry of Human Resource Development in June 2010.
All was well till a top Bureaucrat of MHRD had questioned Anand's nationality and gave indications that the proposal would need clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs. This evoked sharp reaction from the Organisers of ICM and the message also reached Aruna Anand, wife of Vishy. . On knowing the developments, Aruna dashed off a letter in which she minced no words and even sent a copy of Anand's Indian passport.
Sources also indicate to MSN India that the Organisers (EOC) made a last ditch attempt to approach the President's Office to obtain an automated mandate to go ahead with the Convocation. But, with no response reaching Hyderabad till as late as Sunday night, the proposal was shelved leaving Anand baffled, disgusted and confused. It is a known fact that Anand has been living in Spain for many years but all along he has maintained that his residency outside of India is only to keep in sync with the game of chess that is governed by a number of factors which also include acclimatisation of conditions. He and his wife Aruna have been categorical that they are very much Indians.
Anand has been one sportsperson, who has not been involved in a single controversy throughout his life. Anand was scheduled to receive the award in Hyderabad as he was to play simultaneous chess with 35 mathematicians and 5 nominees of Infosys and the youngest player in the lot Palden Ball, who is just 12. The incident sure takes the sheen away from such a wonderful moment of many brains at one location. HRD Minister Kapil Sibal stepped in after the controversy was brought to light by the media. He has assured Anand personally after speaking to him personally on the issue. Sibal also promised Anand that he would be given the Honorary Doctorate.
The big questions that tumble out from the controversy...
1. Why did the Ministry of HRD sit on the proposal for some long?
2. Where was Kapil Sibal for the last 3 months since the proposal was sent to the MHRD?
3. Does it need a media reminder to our Ministers to act on humiliations?
4. Why did the HRD Ministry revert twice to UoH on the same issue of Anand's citizenship? Was the HRD Ministry lurking in a zone of double standards?
5. Who is to blame for treating one of India's greatest sportspersons in such a humiliating manner?
These questions may remains unanswered for sometime but it is sad that a player who loves donning Indian colours is questioned about his citizenship.
This isn't the first time an Indian sportsperson has been subject to pain and humiliation by a Ministry in India. There were at least 3 instances in the last year or so that catches attention..
India's sprint queen who is the doyen of Indian athletics was provided pathetic accommodation where she was made to share a single room with 5 others during the National Open Athletics meet at Bhopal last year. Usha even broke down during the press conference .
Badminton ace Saina Nehwal was made to run from pillar to post for the renewal of her passport in Hyderabad by the Regional Passport Officer just 2 days before she had to play in the World Super Series Masters Final Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. After much media intervention, the Ministry woke up and fast tracked her passport issue and ensured the ace shuttler did not miss the flight to Malaysia.
When Pullela Gopichand took Saina for an informal meet with Sports Minister M. S. Gill after the Beijing Olympics, the former All-England Champion wasn't even identified by the man who runs sport in India. He had to introduce himself as 'I am Gopichand, the National Coach of Indian Badminton'.
Hard to even read about such instances leave alone facing them. When will such things stop in Indian sport?
Source: Rajesh Viswanathan, India Syndicate
K.Venugopal
#1
Wednesday, 25 August 2010 11:53:19
This is truly a case of the media making a mountain out of a molehill. Bureaucratic howlers are not uncommon and in most cases are as innocent as typographical errors. The Indian in Vishvanathan Anand cannot ever be taken away and even if he himself takes up Spanish citizenship, that would only be a technical right he could be availing himself of and in no way reduces his Indianness. Considering that the Minister concerned has apologized, it is clear that there is no controversy. The incident must sensitivise bureaucrats to apply their minds while at work, even if the work is often somewhat mechanical in nature.
http://sports.in.msn.com/othersports/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4298411&page=0
1 comment:
Hi, I'm travelling to Bangalore this weekend. I wish to stay at any part of Bangalore accommodation. Could anyone give me any kind of information regarding any such details?
Post a Comment