Epic India Group, back in action, with some major changes
Apr 7th, 2008 by Ashok
Hi.
After the recent attack on me personally by a member of the Epic India group due to a comment made by another member (and which was directed at yet another member), I’ve decided to restart the group with one major caveat.
Since this is after all an Epic India group, I’m going to request up front that anyone applying to join should do so only if they know something about Indian culture and are willing to share that knowledge. Think of this group as a potluck party–bring a little something along and share it with all.
The recent issue (or non-issue really) occurred because the person in question who took umbrage at a comment, by their own admission, knew nothing about Indian culture and apparently had no interest in it, or in such a group. This person, in their application to join, states the crux of the matter quite clearly: “Lonely.” It took only a bit of research on my part to find that the person in question happens to be a purveyor of soft-porn! Not only this but when kicked out from the group for their insulting, offensive behaviour, the person went and posted at length on their own blog, attacking me personally and blaming me for a comment made by another member. And admitted gleefully that their whole purpose was to sabotage the group and shut it down. They even trumpted happily on their blog that they had done so!
Well, I know we live in a post-Bush world where entire nations and cultures that are not of the Judeo-Christian persuasion are glibly written off as a menace to “civilization” (by which, it’s usually implied, “western” civilization, of course). I also know that such self-promoting non-persons, especially those engaged in soft-porn (or the harder kind for that matter) proliferate on the Internet.
I can’t control the world at large, nor the bias and bigotry of entire nations, but I can offer those who join the Epic India group a small corner of solace and meaningful, intelligent discussion. Persons like the one named “KSA” would like nothing better than to see this group, or even all similar groups on Indian culture (and other cultures) shut down at once, and if they can gain a little publicity for themselves for having done so, well, they’ll be over the moon.
And that’s precisely why I’ve decided to continue the group. And to make sure that the KSA’s of this world, or bigots, racists, India-bashers, and yes, even radical rightwing rabid-mouthed types, steer clear of the group. I’m sure they’ll find plenty of other groups on this great worldwide web to accomodate their needs, and help them scratch that “lonely” spot that KSA was referring to.
This particular spot in cyberspace is reserved for those who truly and genuinely love Indian culture, know something about it, and are not just willing and eager to learn more, but equally willing and eager to share what they already know. As I said earlier, think of this as a potluck party where everyone must bring something to the table, even if they end up eating more than they brought in the end.
If that seems like something you’d want to do, and more importantly, can do, then just go over to the Readerswrite Page, post a comment telling me you’d like to join the group. Don’t forget to mention your real name at least, and anything else you’d like to tell us is purely optional.
That’s the first new thing about the new Epic India group. The only way to join is to leave your request on the Readerswrite Page.
The second new thing is that the group will now be unmoderated to avoid any similar controversies from erupting and especially to ensure that the KSA’s of this world aren’t permitted entry for all the wrong reasons.
Thirdly, and I believe this is important to several of you, I shall be a member and shall contribute regularly now.
And finally, no bias, bigotry, racism or similar attacks shall be tolerated, whether done directly or (the worst kind) indirectly as was done by the wily KSA, who cleverly concealed their racism in a hypocritical veil of outrage against another member being insulted. The veil was effectively punctured when that other member stood up for herself and said she had no issues with what had been said, but this KSA continued to rant on, and patronizingly dismissed even the comments of the allegedly aggrieved member!
If that’s all you seek to do–come into a private group and attack the owner just because he’s of a different nationality and culture than yourself, then I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to do it elsewhere. Better yet, join Bush’s army. I’m sure they need people like you.
This group, the Epic India group, is for people who have some idea of what India and its epics stand for, are proud of it, and are willing to share that pride and knowledge with other persons of like mind.
If that appeals to you, then you’re most welcome here. There are still a few spots on earth where bigotry, bias, racism (direct or indirect) will not be tolerated or allowed to flourish. The Epic India group is one of them.
Valakum.
