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Seven Year Perfomance Review
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Thursday, Feb 18, 2010
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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF SINDHULOGY
REVIEW SEVEN YEARS PERFORMANCE,PROGRESS,SUCCESSES
May 05 ,2000 – MAY 05, 2007
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American Institute of Sindhulogy (AIS) has completed nearly seven years of continuous successful operations and made great strides on its path to promote awareness of Sindhu-Sarawati Civilization
in America and throughout the world. It is now time to take stock of AIS'S achievements and shortfalls, evaluate the present performance and plan for future programs.
The idea for formation of AIS was discussed and the ground work began in early 1999. Soon the seed took root and shoots appeared. AIS was registered with The Secretary of State Illinois (USA)on May, 25, 2000 as non religious, non political institute and was formally inaugurated on August 6, 2000 in Chicago by Sindhu Ratan Ram Jethmalani in the presence of large enthusiastic gathering of local academics and community leaders.
Coincidently in the same year (June 200) National Geographic magazine had carried a cover page picture and 20 page story titled “Ancient Civilization lost to the history- INDUS” It seemed that the World was finally beginning to learn more about our Ancient Civilization, when Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Japan Broadcasting Corporation arranged exhibition “Ancient Unvoiced Civilization INDUS” in Tokyo, Nagoya in August 2000.In this exposition more than 800 original excavated objects from Moen Jo Daro and Harrapa were exhibited., which were loaned by India, Pakistan and British Museum.
AIS was thus established right on time to stimulate and feed the newly acquired appetite for knowledge about a civilization that developed along the SINDHU RIVER, progressed into the foremost culture of India and became the cradle for the birth and progress of many other World Cultures and societies . Although so Ancient, Indus Culture is relevant to all ages and nations.
Besides promoting the awareness and knowledge about SINDHYAT (The Culture of Sindhu-Saraswati Rivers) which has been largely ignored so far, AIS is dedicated to widely convey the message of this ancient culture to i) awaken Sindhis to their roots, history and heritage ii) infuse among people of Indian Sub-continent the appreciation and pride about the great culture and civilization of Bharat Varsha and iii) reach out to world community to share the wealth of cultural heritage of Sindhu-Saraswati Civilization.
With above object in view, AIS Board of Directors approved the selection of the book Return of the Aryans as the source of knowledge about the birth, beginning and attributes of Sindhu Culture. The book is the best seller and its author Bhagwan S.Gidwani was selected as the second best writer of the century in a poll organized by Meghdutam
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BOOK PROGRAM
Dr. Dayal T. Meshri and Late Dr. Indu Meshri donated the amount of $5000 towards the purchase and presentation of 500 books to academic libraries in the USA. This program received very positive reader’s response and requests poured from Indian academic, educators and scholars to continue the work with more libraries. AIS accepted and public supported the idea to write to the libraries to purchase the Book through their own resources. AIS wrote letters to more than 4000 libraries.
The Book was also presented to some legislators, opinion makers and media. This is on going program which will be continued in America and India. .
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SCHOOL PROGRAM
It is unfortunate that Ancient Civilization Sindhu (INDUS) Saraswati in not included in the American school curriculum along with other civilization of the world. Presently there are two and half million Indians in the USA. Parents will be interested that their children learn about their own culture and heritage along with other cultures and civilizations. This is for our younger generations and all those settled in the USA. AIS wrote letters to Illinois School Board, Governor of Illinois, Senator and congressmen from Illinois. This was the first test case. This is to be followed up and will remain as our on going program
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SCHOOL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
School program is important and must be pursued with the help of volunteer work. AIS requests younger generation of Indians, especially those born in the USA, to come forward and volunteer for this program, the introduction of Bharat Varsha's ancient civilization will benefit the children who will be studying the subject along with other world civilizations. AIS will warmly welcome any one who can assist in this mission.
AIS plans to pursue this program in the following steps
- Volunteers in all 50 states will be required to research names/addresses/phone numbers/email ID of Governor/Senators/congressmen/School boards in their areas
- The information will be passed on to AIS by email.
- AIS will write letters to appropriate authorities on the subject and also present them with CD Song of Sindhu Hindu and DVD documentary “Ancient Unvoiced Civilization Sindhu Saraswati lost to the History”. This is produced by Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Japan Broadcasting Corp (NHK).
- AIS will copy these letters to the volunteers with request for follow up by phone calls to the addressees.
AIS has data base of more than 2000 email addresses registered by request. AIS will send request for volunteers and hopes to receive positive responses from them. With volunteer work, the initial phase this project can be finished during the current year and with hope to follow up in the future. AIS believe that legislators, political leaders recognize the value of Indian vote and our case of study of Indian Civilization will receive favorable consideration
AIS will be glad to encourage /assist /Sindhi/ Indian organization all over the world if they would like consider pursuing school program in their regions..
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INDUS EXHIBITION
For some time AIS has contemplated arranging an exhibition of Ancient Indus Culture on the same lines as that sponsored in Tokyo (August 2000). See link below.
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AIS approached the Field Museum in 2003 to propose a similar exhibition in Chicago. The Field Museum recognized the significance of the project, but noted the enormous amount of planning; work and funding that would be required to carry it off. Our Director Michael T. Sawyier attorney at Law is the main driving force for this project and is committed to promoting this project at the Field Museum or at other globally eminent institutions in the United States. We are writing to various foundations for support. However, initial donations from the Indian community are necessary too. We encourage you all to contribute in whatever way you can (whether services, contacts, or money) to this important mission.
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ATTACK ON SINDHU CULTURE
There were four attacks on Sindhu Culture in year 2005
- Public interest litigation filed in Supreme Court to remove Sindh from Indian National Anthem
- Changing the name of Sindhu River to Singhe in Ladhak.
- Removal of Sindhi Language from the curriculum in Gujarat
- Demolition of Sindhi Colony in Ullahas Nagar
AIS were in vanguard of those who protested and created public opinion on the first issue against these attacks, at the request of AIS Bhagwan S. Gidwani prepared a memorandum which was forwarded to the President, the Prime Minister and political leaders of India... Sindhu Ratan Ram Jethmalani argued with brilliance in the Supreme Court of India which agreed with him that Sindh cannot be removed from the National Anthem. On the second issue, Government of India abandoned its idea to change the name of Sindhu River to Singhe. After the presentation of our Memorandum. Government of Gujarat removed its obstacles to Sindhi Language from the curriculum in Gujarat schools. The demolitions in Ulhas Nagar were stopped.
Mr. Gobind Jhangiani, editor and webmaster of Sindhi Internet Resource (www.sindhi-net.com) helped and fully collaborated and cooperated with us on all these issues and his ready assistance enabled us to succeed. Mr.Ranjit Butani, editor and publisher of Sindhishaan, mobilized public support for these issues in India and elsewhere and his support helped the cause tremendously. We are also grateful to Mr. Arjan Daswani of Singapore and many others who helped to carry the AIS message across. We owe them all, our gratitude for their magnificent support.
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PRODUCTION OF CD - SONG OF SINDHU HINDU
To celebrate Sindhu-Saraswati culture and to bring awakening to its everlasting heritage of peace and harmony among all people, AIS has produced the CD in English-Hindi-Sindhi on the Song of the Sindhu Hindu sung on the banks of Indus some 7000 years ago. The CD is ready since September 2006 in the USA and India.
The CD has English narration of original version from the book “Return of the Aryans”, with melodious songs in Hindi and Sindhi by Koshi Lalwani, together with chanting of OM & mantras, and musical accompaniment. CD begins with a greeting from Ram Jethmalani. Excerpts from his recorded introduction of the Song on the CD, along with other details can be heard on this website, see link below (Music Link).
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The CD is also presented to many universities in the USA, with the departments of Indian Studies. Educators have expressed that CD will be very useful in their teaching programs.
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OPRAH WINFREY PROGRAM
AIS have addressed a letter to Oprah Winfrey with request to consider producing a program on Sindhu Saraswati Civilization.
Please write a supporting letter to her, suggested draft letter is posted with instructions on web site (see link below)
Oprah program is very powerful and popular worldwide. A special program on Sindhu Civilization will give tremendous impetus to our mission of
promoting this knowledge.
AIS wishes that every Sindhi, Indian and non Indian irrespective of nationality or country give voice to the cause.
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RESEARCH PROJECTS
With the help of Bhagwan Gidwani, AIS has produced a document detailing various themes from ROTA, which could be appropriate subjects for future research.
AIS presented this research project document on themes from “The Return of the Aryan” to various educational institutes in India. Bhagwan S. Gidwani packs in over 900 pages, the result of 18 years painstaking research into our Ancient literature, documents, artifacts, anecdotes, songs, written and verbal history .Bhagwan Gidwani wrote the book in a form of novel and not a formal history. He challenges present day academician, historians and researchers to deeply study various themes in his book and either support and champion or counter or modify his premises and hypothesis. The project document is also on the web site project (see link below).
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RESEARCH PROJECTS
The object is to involve Sindhi and Indian youth with the study of Ancient culture of Sindhu-Saraswati civilization. The colleges may consider offering credits. AIS will approach Sindhi Philanthropist to support scholarships for the researchers. The Department of Sindhi Studies of Mumbai University considered the research project very valuable for post graduate study.
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MAGNIFICENT DONATION TO AIS
AIS is most grateful to Mr. Bhagwan L. Mansukhani (Roy L. Manns) for his voluntary gracious donation and future pledge for US $10,000. This is the first time AIS has received such a spontaneous donation. He challenges Sindhi community to match his proposal.
Extracts from Mr. Bhagwan L. Mansukhani's letter are reproduced hereunder:
QUOTE
In honor of these people, my father Lokumal Hemandas Mansukhani, My mother Parpati L. Mansukhani ( nee Mirchandani) , it gives me a lot of pleasure to set a challenge for all Sindhi's to reflect back and find out about their heritage. I will be happy to give $ 10 for every Sindhi who will give $ 10 to further the work of the people of Sindhulogy. I promise to provide $ 10,000* in the memory of my mother and father. In the event the first 1000 Sindhi step to the Challenge within a year from the 15th day of this month, I will do my best to plan an additional $10,000 for the following 10 years if I am live or dead.
God Bless you all and the work you do.
* I will send a check of $ 1000 for the 1st 100 Sindhi's this week.Ater receiving the names of more Sindhi's who accept this challenge, in installments of 100 or more will provide the rest of the money in whatever time you attract other Sindhis"
UNQUOTE.
His first check of US$ 1,000 has already been received. The subsequent checks of US $9,000 will be received after matching donations of $ 10/ or more from you. It is our hope that each of you will send in your generous donation and notify us at [email protected]
FUTURE PLANS and NEEDS
AIS’s strategy is to connect with media, Federal, Local Government and main stream in the USA to advance its mission and message. For seven years, the founding directors have dedicated their time and energies to the cause with all their resource. AIS need to collect $200,000.00 to pursue its goals. Continuity of the above projects and specially INDUS EXHIBITION is the priority.
AIS desire and plan to engage the services of public relation corporation to assist us in all above projects to connect us with American Media. Message and mission of AIS must reach the chambers Capital Hill and the heart of the mainstream,
OPPORTUNITY FOR SINDHI COMMUNITY LEADERS and PHILANTROPIST
(INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON RELVANCE OF SINDHYAT IN MODERN TIMES)
Department of Sindhi (University of Mumbai) organized International Seminar-“Relevance of Sindhyat in Modern Times” on March 06, 2007 at Marahati Basha Bhavan on University campus Kalina.
Papers were presented for future research.
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President of the Paper Session Padma Bhushan Dr. L H.Hiranandani.
- SINDHI COMMUNITY- "A binding force for various religions" By Srichand Hinduja
- Sindhi Entrepreneur -A God's gift to World Economy" By Dr. Ram Buxani
- Sindhi’s Faith in Sufism and Universal Peace" By Mazharul Haq Siddiqi - Vice Chancellor University of Sindh
- A Sindhi- Free from Partition's communal Dogma by Ameer Jaleel, Karachi Sindh
- Sindhis Hard work and their Foreign Expedition by Dr. Baldev B. Matlani
(COPIES AVAILABLE WITH AIS)
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Sindhu Ratan Ram B.Jethmalani was Chief Guest and Moderator. His speech is posted on web site (see link below) . Those who desire to read papers, please send us email
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Other guest of Honor was Chandru Raheja, Niranjan Hiranandani, Nanik Rupani, Pahlaj Nihalani Govind Daryanani, Kishu Mansukhani, Anil Harish.
AIS offers great opportunities and ideas for Sindhi Opinion makers, Philanthropist and community leaders throughout the world to assess the mission, the progress, the successes and future programs of AIS and contribute generously for the cause which is so dear to us all.
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