Hyderabad is to host the coming annual Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2006 in January (7 to 9) next. We would like to hear from Mysore-connected NRIs who plan to attend the Hyderabad event. The idea is to explore possibilities for holding a Mysore get-together in the wake of the Hyderabad do. Such a meeting, if it could be organized as a community initiative, would help exchange of ideas on ways to strengthen our Mysore connection.
The prospect of holding a convention of the Mysore-connected has been on our mind at mymysore.com. Hyderabad, depending on the response of the Mysore-connected NRIs visiting India in January, could give us an opportunity to hold an exploratory meet in Mysore. Many non-resident Mysoreans are already contributing, in varied ways, towards betterment of Mysore. We have much to gain from the experience and expertise of NRIs from Mysore. A convention, organized every other year, if not annually, would help consolidate their input; and in making Mysore’s betterment a common cause of residents and non-resident Mysoreans.
I think that the idea of holding a NRI meeting in Mysore is a good one. This can lead to a greaer particpation of those NRIs in Saving Mysore which has deteriorated already and is going down towards the way of Bangalore fast. In fact we can start with a meeting of the parents of NRIs first. That can lead to the involvement of NRIs later. During these meetings besides discussing things of interests to NRIs and paretnts of NRIS, we can also explore ways of getting the involvement of NRIs and their parents in improving Mysore. The tragedy we face today is that literate class has more or less decided not to particpate in democratic process and leave it to professional politicians.
We often talk of how our children are doing great in the US and how they are serving in high positions. But how often we ask what they are doing for their place of birth? We honor them for what they achieve abroad. This is great. But how about honoring those who are trying to serve Mysore.
Recently there is an NRI who returned to Mysore and got involved immediately after seeing horrible situation. Not many know her. She is Pratibha Kattemalavdi. She studies the problem, finds the causes for the problem and meets the concerned authorities to put pressure to solve them. We need to recognise people like Pratibhas.
