National Geographic Channel Apologies
Posted by barunroy on May 12, 2008
Dear Sir,
The Himalayan Beacon
This is with reference to the contest section that appeared in Hindustan
Times on May 9, 2008. The error in the article was not intentional and
we sincerely apologize for inadvertently hurting the sentiments of the
Gorkha community. We completely appreciate and agree with your concern
and point of view on the same and we will release the ad again with the
corrected question.
At National Geographic Channel, we contribute to the National Geographic
Society’s commitment to education, exploration, conservation and it is
our constant endeavour to provide insightful information to our viewers.
We appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing from you in
future.
Yours sincerely,
Jyoti Wadhera
National Geographic Channel
barunroy said
Dear Friends,
Greeting from Darjeeling!
We have done it. On the personal initiative of Mrs. Jyoti Thapa, who brought to the notice of Beacon Online the National Geographic Contest, and the subsequent initiative of the most esteemed patrons and contributes of Beacon Online, Mr. Y. K. Shrestha, Mr. Bishal Rai among numerous others National Geographic Channel has apologized and has promised that it will publish the correct version of the contest. My personal congratulations to Mrs. Jyoti Thapa, Mr. Y. K. Shrestha and Mr. Bishal Rai to true heroes of Beacon Online. You folks rock!
We have done it! God bless you!
With best wishes and regards
Barun
barunroy said
The interaction between Himalayan Beacon and National Geographic Channel!
Dear Sir,
The Himalayan Beacon Online today has carried a story with the title ‘National Geographic Channel dubs Gorkha Traditional Weapon ‘Infamous’. The story is based on your advertisement carried today (9th of May 2008) in Hindustan Times a prominent Indian English Daily. The Advertisement clearly uses the word infamous vis-a-vis Khukri the traditional weapon of the Gorkhas. Just as a ‘Kirpan’ is holy and a matter of honour for the Sikhs the Khukri is scared for the Gorkhas, to call it ‘infamous’ certainly dishonours the Gorkha people all over the world.
http://beacononline.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/national-geographic-contest-declaring-gorkha-traditional-weapon-as-infamous/
We believe, however, that National Geographic Channel which holds such a place of honour in the world, could not knowingly make such a mistake and hence, we are convinced that it is a typographical mistake where the word ‘famous’ was inadvertently printed as ‘infamous’. Could you, Sir, then ratify the mistake and reprint the same with a written apology ‘citing’ typographical and unintended error’. We, Gorkhas will remain forever, grateful to your goodself.
I remain,
yours faithfully,
Barun Roy
Editor,
The Himalayan Beacon
http://www.beacononline.wordpress.com
Dear Sir,
This is with reference to the contest section that appeared in Hindustan
Times on May 9, 2008. The error in the article was not intentional and
we sincerely apologize for inadvertently hurting the sentiments of the
Gorkha community. We completely appreciate and agree with your concern
and point of view on the same and we will release the ad again with the
corrected question.
At National Geographic Channel, we contribute to the National Geographic
Society’s commitment to education, exploration, conservation and it is
our constant endeavour to provide insightful information to our viewers.
We appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing from you in
future.
Yours sincerely,
Jyoti Wadhera
National Geographic Channel
—–Original Message—–
From: Barun Roy [mailto:barunroydarj@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 10:04 PM
To: Himatsinghani, Avinash (NGC Asia); NGC; feedback@ngcindia.com
Cc: barunroydarj@gmail.com
barunroy said
The original interaction between Mr. Y. K. Shrestha and National Geographic Society
Dear Ms. Wadhwa,
Thank you very much for understanding.
Thanks & regards,
YK Shrestha
2008/5/12 Wadhera, Jyoti (NGC Asia) :
Dear Sir,
This is with reference to the contest section that appeared in Hindustan Times on May 9, 2008. The error in the article was not intentional and we sincerely apologize for inadvertently hurting the sentiments of the Gorkha community. We completely appreciate and agree with your concern and point of view on the same and we will release the ad again with the corrected question.
At National Geographic Channel, we contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to education, exploration, conservation and it is our constant endeavour to provide insightful information to our viewers. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing from you in future.
Yours sincerely,
Jyoti Wadhera
National Geographic Channel
From: Yam,Daisy,Ashish & Anugrah [mailto:ashishanugrah@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 2:35 PM
To: feedback@ngcindia.com
Subject: Test your knowledge of the word, May 9th
Dear Sir,
I want to draw your attention to the subject matter. You have asked a question 2) What is the infamous Gorkha knife more commonly known as?
While we appreciate your constant endeavour to test the knowledge of the people, we strongly condemn the way the question has been phrased. The correct question should have been “famous Gorkha knife”. You have ridiculed our sacred weapon. I would urge you to issue an apology at the earliest.
—
With Best Wishes,
Yam K Shrestha
This message and its attachments contain confidential information and may also contain legally privileged information. This message is intended solely for the named addressee. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or authorized to receive for addressee), you may not copy or deliver any part of this message or its attachments to anyone or use any part of this message or its attachments. Rather, you should permanently delete this message and its attachments (and all copies) from your system and kindly notify the sender by reply e-mail. Any content of this message and its attachments that does not relate to the official business of STAR India Private Limited or its subsidiaries must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by any of them.
Email communications are not private and no warranty is made that e-mail communications are timely, secure or free from computer virus or other defect.
–
With Best Wishes,
Yam, Daisy, Ashish & Anugrah
barunroy said
Dear Mr. Aardee, Aks and Gorkhey Jeeps you guys have been the first to speak against the issue on this Blog. I salute you all. Together we have done it. You are Beacon Online’s Heroes! God Bless you all!
I would also like to salute and congratulate all those who pitched in and wrote to the National Geographic Channel. I cannot mention your names but you are also the heroes of Beacon Online.
My best wishes and regards!
Barun
Jyoti Mukhia said
Barun and friends,
Congratulations.
Gorkhey Jeep said
It is great to be part of something fantastic. Thanks Barun for making me part of this fantastic thing called Beacon Online. You keep on beating the drums we are marching with you.
Damn it feels good! Now it is the turn of The Telegraph. If National Geographic Channel can say sorry what is Sumanta Sen, we must also make him say sorry – apologies!
Congrats guys
aardee said
Barun!
Great you got an apology from NGC the quiz is called “LUFTHANSA NAT GEO GENIUS” and HT says they are the print partners…HENCE all partners will have to tender apology.
BTW why did you remove the post from the listing on the right??
Rashmi
aardee said
Sorry to be a party pooper but
Nat Geo’s apology has to be printed in the HT both DELHI & Mumbai TOGETHER with the Lufthansa logo & the HT logo
HT has to remove the ad/quiz contest from its website e-paper version too when we see that in the print/website
We can then truly say we have got an apology…
Rashmi
BTW Barun aardee is Rashmi Dewan n I haven’t been addressed a Mr before ; )
Anonymous said
It is natural that we would like to protect what is ours against real and perceived insults. But should we be touch-me-nots? Willing to take offense and quibble over every adjective? Why should we let these small niggles bother us? Why do we have to bring religious overtones into the issue? The apology, anyway, sounds suspiciously like a pre-written template.
aardee said
Anonymous…
We have to take pride in ourselves… no other community would allow any MNC to get away with a comment in print like NGC, LH & HT have done… to prove my point I attach below the emails that I have been receiving from NGC that keep harping they will LET us know when they will reprint the Question.
There is no answer to my single query as to when will they APOLOGISE in print in both Hindustan Times Delhi & Mumbai editions.
This is their tactic to sideline the issue. We all need to make them understand if we respect them that does not mean they disrespect us… SIMPLE…
Wadhera, Jyoti (NGC Asia) (jyotiw@in.startv.com)
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 12:22:55 PM
To: rashmi dewan ()
YES MA’AM. WE WILL BE PUBLISHING IT. AGAIN AS I HAD MENTIONED IN MY MAIL, I WILL BE INFORMING YOU AS SOON AS IT IS PUBLISHED.
REGARDS
——————————————————————————–
From: rashmi dewan []
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:46 PM
To: Wadhera, Jyoti (NGC Asia)
Subject: RE: Lufthansa National Geo Genius
Dear Ms. Wadhera,
As mentioned in the letter addressed to all.
Do note we demand a public apology in writing for the insult to all Gorkhas and all associated with the “Khukri”.
You do understand that the Khukri is accorded the same respect as the “Kripan”.
So please do inform us when NGC together with Lufthansa and your media partner – Hindustan Times will be
publishing the “APOLOGY” for insulting a national “emblem”, we do intend to take up this matter of
disrespect to the Khukri at all forums and at all levels, legally and constitutionally.
Awaiting your reply.
Regards,
Rashmi Dewan & friends of Gorkhas.
——————————————————————————–
Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:08:38 +0530
From: jyotiw@in.startv.
To: rashmidewan
Dear Ma’am,
This reply is to the letter we have received from you on the subject. I had earlier sent the reply to the incorrect e-mail id which bounced back, which is why I had to resend it.
As mentioned in my mail, we will be reprinting the rephrased question in Hindustan Times. Will definitely keep you informed as to when we’ll be publishing it.
Again, this was not at all intentional. Rest assured the correction will be carried out.
Regards,
Jyoti Wadhera
National Geographic Channel
——————————————————————————–
From: rashmi dewan []
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:57 AM
To: Wadhera, Jyoti (NGC Asia)
Subject: Lufthansa National Geo Genius poses
Dear Ms. Wadhera,
Thank you for your email, informing that you will reprint the Lufthansa NatGeo Genius quiz with the corrected question, however this seems to be a forward to the replies that you have sent on to other members of my community in reply to their letter.
Therefore I wish to draw your attention to the letter sent on 09MAY08 sent by courier to
Mr. Nikhil Mirchandani – Managing Director – National Geographic
Ms Manjari Singh – Brand Manager – National Geographic
Mr. Werner Heesen – General Manager, Lufthansa
Mr. Rahul Sharma – Editor, Hindustan Times
(copy attached for your reference)
We have categorically asked that the apology to all Gorkhas and everyone associaited with the Khukri be published in print by all three – Lufthansa, National Geographic as well as Hindustan Times.
Do let us know when the apology in print will appear both in Mumbai as well as in Delhi.
Addtionally when will the e-paper site of you print partner Hindustan remove the pages/the quiz ad from page 15 HT Delhi edition as well as page 17 Mumbai edition.
Regards,
Rashmi Dewan & Friends of Gorkhas
aardee said
Hey Barun!
Care to send a msg to NGC to check when will the “APOLOGY” be printed…bet NGC will send back a standard reply.
Rashmi
barunroy said
Dear Miss Rashmi,
Greetings from Darjeeling!
I am greatly obliged for your involvement in this blog. In fact, you, Jyotidi, Pinky, Nita among others have greatly enriched Beacon Online and we certainly feel so proud of you. Please accept my deepest regards. You ladies are certainly, the shining stars for all Gorkhas including me.
With reference to your comment, I had sent a message to NGC and yes, they have sent me the same ’standard’ reply. On my part however, I am satisfied that based on our collective effort we have been able to extract an apology from NGC. Now they will publish the ‘correct’ question, whether they will seek apology in print, or that HT will remove or correct their entries in the ‘now’ archive pages of the said days when the said Advertisement were published or not, is secondary. The fact of the matter remains that if we, you and Jyotidi and rest of the folks had not stood up against it…The NGC Quiz had still been published and the reputation that National Geographic Channel has thus far been able to garner, the rest of the world would have believed Khukuri to be ‘infamous’. It is not that I was too jubilant in celebrating a victory… in Darjeeling, we need all the hope that we can muster and if I may be candid all the victory that we can achieve.
Just a few months ago, NDTV had done a story on Kurseong and while committing all the mistakes, placed Kurseong inside the map of Bangladesh. We certainly wrote back to NDTV and tried to correct them. I have always held the opinion that when some one makes a mistake, one should try to correct him or her and then when he or she accepts his or her mistake and apologies, we have to respect them for that. Once that is done we should help them understand better. I am trying to request the HT correspondent from DARJEELING to write back to his editor and do a story on ‘Khukri’ as to what it means to the Gorkhas and most importantly to the security and integrity of the nation.
Of course, you are more experienced and more equipped to judge. Please do not take any of my reasoning to be definitive. I could be wrong. But as of I now I stand by it. It is also my deepest convictions that you among other ladies will be known in the History of the Gorkha People and your name shall be taken in great esteem centuries later when our bones have turned into dust. Your determination, your zeal is inspirational.
Thanking you,
with best wishes and regards,
Barun
Jyoti Thapa said
Also please include Ms Rashmi Dewan
aardee said
Dear Barun,
Am glad to note that you are a thorough gentleman and believe in the concept of accepting apologies.
However, since working in Delhi and handling media for the companies I have worked with, I understand all these usual ploys employed by media houses to just do the “bare minimum” to get away.
We have been shortchanged earlier when it was Red FM and RJ Nitin by the powers that be who said they “were thinking about a ban” nothing came of it!
Hence this time round I felt and continue to feel…IF people insult us in public they have to apologise in public…no personal apologies…besides these are MNCs – both NGC & Lufthansa how DARE they comment loosely about us or our KHUKRI…we are defending our borders wearing the insignia… If we are respectful does not in any way entitle anyone to be disrespectful of us… Remember the hymn…”Doosron ki jai se pehle khud ko jai karein”
In future you have any problems with the media misrepresenting Darjeeling/Gorkhas in the media please feel free to inform me…I will definitely push the matter here with support from other Gorkhas that are all over in the media.
Thanks for all the praises…but frankly I’m just family so…relax take it easy!
Keep the Gorkha flag flying!
Rashmi