NGOs, security
Sir: The Union Government has put Ford Foundation on its watch list over suspected breach of “national security” and imposed curbs on its funding to NGOs in the country. This is in tandem with the Gujarat administration’s critical report against the US-based philanthropy. The foreign contributions regulation act (FCRA) governing foreign funding of NGOs came after the home ministry barred Greenpeace India earlier this month from receiving funds from abroad and seven of its bank accounts were frozen. The two NGOs of Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand were funded by the Ford Foundation with the professed aim of promoting communal harmony, democratic principles and social justice. The two have, however, allegedly been promoting interests that are contradictory to its stated goals. The two trusts received approximately $500,000 from Ford Foundation after the 2002 Gujarat riots. The American philanthropy, founded by Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford’s son, came to India in 1952 on an invite from then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It has donated heavily to IIT-Bombay, Jamia Milia Islamia, Wildlife SOS, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Aga Khan Foundation as also promoted the Green Revolution in agriculture over the years.
The foundation came under scrutiny for its grants to Setalvad and AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s NGO Kabir, which was in the news during the anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal. One of the alleged violations of Teesta Setelvad and Sabrang Communications was that they were engaging in aggressive political activism, particularly promoting separate criminal codes for each ethnic group — Muslim criminal code for Muslims, a criminal code for Christians, and another criminal code for Hindus. There are those who saw in this an attempt by the Ford Foundation to balkanize the country along ethnic and sectarian lines. Would Americans find such a scenario acceptable in their country?
Dharmendra Ku Naik, TARBHA
Oriya, fast
Sir: The Orissa government is a violator of the Language Act 1954 and it is not keen on obeying the law of the land and provisions of the Constitution of India as contained in part XVII of official language chapter, from Art 343 to 351. As such, we are organising a fast from July 1 in front of Raj Bhawan Bhubaneswar. Our demand is that the state government use official language of the state, Oriya, everywhere, and in all communications. That will help the government serve the state and the people honestly and sincerely.
Gajanan Mishra, TITILAGARH
Teachers, CCE
Sir: CBSE schools following CCE pattern are dictating terms. The situation is worse for the Class 10 parents. School teachers along with principal have been given the authority to give marks to students. There is no protest for fear that it would work to the disadvantage of students. Parent-teacher meetings are not serving their purpose.
Sunil Pradhan, Khariar, NUAPADA
