My Overseas Kashmiri Pandit brethren :
Namaskar !
Winds of change in the European countries in the
past couple of years and more so, the recently held
mid-term elections in the United States has had
invigorating influence on the entire world,
necessitating social - political transformation at
various levels.
It is good news that in this vibrant atmosphere, the
Kashmir Overseas Association is also due to hold
election for its President in the beginning of the
New Year; which is a matter of concern as well as
curiosity for all the Federate Associations of
Kashmiri Pandits all over, particularly, in India.
We understand that Shri. Sunil Fotedar of San
Antonio, USA, has offered his services for the post.
Dear brethren : What do you look for in a
prospective candidate for your President :
1.
Ancestry.
2.
Education.
3.
Values of life.
4.
Zeal for community service.
5.
Leadership and behavioral quality.
Ancestry :
Abraham Lincoln once said, “I don’t know who my
grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know
what his grandson will be.”
I am also not aware who has been the grandfather of
Sunil Fotedar, but, I surely know, he is the son of
well-respected father, Professor B. L. Fotedar,
(previously of Sathoo Bar-Bar Shah, now spending his
well-earned rest in Jammu), an emancipated person,
from whom, Sunil, during his formative years, has
imbibed qualities of honesty and integrity, for
which Professor Fotedar is revered till date by
Pandit Society.
Education :
A meritorious record holder till pre-engineering
grade, Sunil was an alumni of Regional
Engineering College, Srinagar, where he earned his
BE Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1984,
standing 2nd in the University.
The insatiable thirst for academic excellence saw
Sunil earning two more Degrees for himself from
Houston, Texas, U.S.A. :
1. M. S. Thesis
in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1987
and
2. M. S. in
applied Mathematics in 1992.
Values of Life :
Though, Sunil was lucky to inherit good human
values, yet, he believed, that good academics may
earn him decent living, but beyond the frontiers of
education, it is the personal quality like humility
and unostentatious-ness that can enhance his
professional standing. So, modesty became his way of
life. Sunil’s persona has honesty, integrity,
humility and earthly root-related qualities
ingrained in him.
Zeal for Community Service
:
With his technologically relevant qualifications,
Sunil, developed keen interest in creating websites.
Post-exodus, his nativity urged him, to do something
for the community. He took upon himself to create,
develop and maintain on voluntary basis, without any
monetary interest, websites on the various facets of
Kashmir, be that : social, political or cultural.
Using latest internet technology, Sunil’s passion
to disseminate information amongst Kashmiri Pandits
about their roots, rich heritage etc. and to
integrate, collate and web the various journals,
magazines, periodicals, newsletters etc. which are
published in India for the benefit of the community
so that the Pandits throughout the world not only
could access to the latest information about the
diasporic community, but could also bond them
together. This unparalleled service, Sunil has been
doing for almost a decade now.
Leadership and behavioural quality :
Sunil has manifested leadership qualities right from
the College and University years. His courteous and
unpretentious way of approach has even won over his
foes to his fold. This conspicuous quality makes him
the leader who has the capacity to ‘take people along’, which in the
present-day, is the need of our politically and
socially fragmented society.
So, awake my brethren, you have a candidate :
who fits the bill,
who has the leadership quality,
who is humble to the core,
who is approachable,
who has ‘tsuk’ of Kashmir,
and
who can weave a coordinative string, strong enough
to hold the community together, above the petty
squabbles and makes it to rise like a Phoenix.
So, vote for Sunil Fotedar.
Executive Editor ‘Milchar’,
Organising Member ‘Project Zaan’
Kashmiri Pandits’ Association,
Mumbai
