Is the British Council Policy, a smokescreen for closure?
The web site http://www.iccrindia.org/fcc.htm shows that the British Library (BL) in Trivandrum and Bhopal are among the seven libraries in India administered as a Foreign Cultural Centre by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) of the Government of India. In addition to this, there are four British Council Libraries (BCL) in India directly administered by the British Council.
While all 4 the BCLs are being retained, it is the 2 BLs that are being closed down!
ICCR's Regional Centre (“ROHINI”, TC – 16/131, Easwaravilasom Road, Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum – 14, Ph: 2320825 Fax - 2332479) is tight-lipped and seems to be indifferent about the developments here. Mr. M.R. Krishnamoorthy is the Centre head.
Are'nt these Concerns Grave?
Only a "British Council Library", which is run directly by the British Council can be closed down solely on the basis of British Council's policy. But while the BCLs are continuing to function, the BLs are being closed down.
The self sustaining "British Library" in Trivandrum which is administered by the ICCR has been closed down by the British Council without following a democratic and rational process.
The State Government was not called for consultations by the ICCR which is the administrator of the BL in Trivandrum. The decision was taken and announced by the Director of the British Council and was communicated to the Cultural Affairs Minister and the CM.
Is it appropriate for the British Council to decide and communicate closure of BL in Trivandrum and Bhopal to the respective State Governments when the ICCR is the administrator?
Should'nt such decisions be based on a sound rationale and after a democratic process driven by the ICCR for exploring viable options.
Should the Policies and Priorities of ICCR, a government of India body, be decided by the British Council?
Will this painful indifference of the Regional Centre of ICCR in Trivandrum help to serve its stated mandate of strenghtening their activities in Kerala?
Should'nt we Act Fast ?- SIGNPOST
7 comments:
It would be more authentic if people who post information like this :
* identify their sources.eg- how do you know that the CM's office has received a response from the BC saying they do not wish to continue. Did you check with the CM's office? If so, who? This is important as there are plenty of rumors floating around.
* identify yourself. If you post important info like this you should also be willing to be held up for scrutiny.
Thanks
Source is NOT inconsequential.
The newspapers reported that a British delegation was coming in early Jan. As I was not sure about this, I rang up the CM's office and spoke to his PS and found out that NO such delegation was coming.
That is why source IS important.
Are there any advocates in our group? I guess posting all our ideas on this blog may not be a safe thing after all.
The post is certainly important, and I think we need to discuss this further.
The only info, which we can't independently verify, is the letter to the CM.
I've checked the ICCR website, and all the other details seem to be correct.
Our Library is indeed under the ICCR, not the BC
I think then perhaps our volleys may have an impact and political pressure may work after all. The Ministry under which the ICCR functions also needs to be tapped for help.
If not the BL, let us have a new library with bookd from all continents and not just Europe.
We should force ICCR to step in. They are keeping quiet and are implementing the closue agenda through the British Council. ICCR is responsible to protect interests of Indian States in the "Education & Culture" domain.
A request to them for help may not be useful. Soft campaigns in Lucknow were crushed by subtle moves of BC and ICCR even when Atalji, the then MP from Lucknow was the PM. Replies to call for help may appear to be very diplomatic.
Does any one have comments about the attitude of the BC in similar situations?
AG, Your definitions of dream libraries and calls earlier to strategise and accelerate the interventions were great. Now is the time.
Please do join with more such constructive points.
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