No national anthem please…we have foreigners here
Just came across this item from yesterday’s Deccan Herald: “National anthem could make foreigners at Infy uneasy: NRN”
According to this report, the national anthem was not sung during the visit of President Kalam’s recent visit to Infosys campus because even though the company “…had arranged for five people to sing the anthem…we cancelled it as we have foreigners onboard here. They should not be embarrassed while we sing the anthem.”
Extraordinary.
If true, this shows flawed judgement at best (which an unconditional apology might redeem) – but at worst, it is reflective of a deep underlying inferiority complex (or lack of pride in our heritage, culture and national identity) which Shri Narayana Murthy has not been able to overcome – in spite of being hailed as one of the greatest business leaders and a visionary of his generation that India has produced.
I really hope that it was just a bad mistake – which we all make – and nothing more serious…otherwise, it would be a call for a national introspection.
The report also said noted that , “…Meanwhile, just as the band national anthem…was played towards the end of the programme, President Kalam sang along with child-like enthusiasm while others barely moved their lips.”
On reflection, this should not surprise or shock us…
Wasn’t our beloved and Honourable Railways Minister Shri Laloo Yadav once pictured “…sitting and reading calmly even as the National Anthem is being played in the background?”.
I’m beginning to worry about feeling like a “foreigner” in my own country – unable to relate to the prevailing norms and still believing in old-fashioned values of national pride.
From a lonely corner of the world, Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.
What nonsense! In his so-called focus on ‘globalisation’, Murthy has revealed himself to be a pandering old idiot. What next? Indians in their Fremont office will be required to sing the American national anthem so that the ‘natives’ are not offended.
On so many occasions, the UK and the US – both with larger immigrant populations than Infosys has ‘foreigner’ employees – have the national anthem being sung. You and I are not offended.
He *had* to apologise and I am glad someone in the media noted it.
As for insulting one’s own anthem, one need not look further than Formula 1 award ceremonies where cocky young drivers stand – as their anthems play – arranging their hair (Alonso and before him, Schumacher), hands on their hips (British chap Hamilton), looking askance standing at ease (many or most of them). Laloo Prasad has plenty of company!
Dear Shantanu,
Only one National daily (Deccan Herald) had the courage to report this arrogance of the new Indian corporate face.
Just now I had uploaded a piece on this.
http://kartha-pes.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/04/nrn-is-fantastic-but-is-ashamed-of-our-anthem.htm
Kartha
Shefaly – Good point. Re. insulting the anthem, Shri Yadav is an elected representative and a minister in the government so one expects a little more from him…but then this is India – anything goes…(sadly).
Kartha – Thanks for the link – good post.
Lalu Prasad is callous. Many like him enjoy exploiting India and people of India. BUT Do they truly love India? I doubt!
Dear Shantanu,
Just to let the readers know that whenever I visited the school functions of my daughter, we all sang the American anthem; even we were not the citizen of USA. We had lot of foreigners (for americans) attending the functions from various countries but I didn’t find any person like Murthy in US who may object the singing of American Anthem because it would embarrass the foreigners. This news is really hurting us and I am not sure how Kalam is supporting Murthy as next president of India.
Thanks,
Vinaya
Got a great idea : Why don’t we start singing Pakistani national anthem ! It will also appeal to our muslims ( then they don’t have to unfurl Pakistani flag in privacy , as they did after killing hundreds of infidels in Godhra, they will do it in open !)