V. Shanmuganathan
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Manipur
2016/ Row over ‘definition of culture in 100 words’
Khelen Thokchom, Manipur governor in culture row, The Telegraph
Imphal, Aug. 16: Manipur governor V. Shanmuganathan's offer for coffee at the Raj Bhavan and a cash reward for those who describe culture best has evoked strong condemnations from cultural icons of the state.
While inaugurating the University of Culture and Manipur State Film and Television Institute here on Friday, the governor appealed to the gathering, which included several icons of Manipuri culture, to write the definition of culture in 100 words.
"You just write a letter to me. Just 100 words, one page. What is culture according to you? I will invite the selected people for coffee with governor in Raj Bhavan with a cash reward," Shanmuganathan told the audience. Thunderous applause greeted the governor's idea.
Among the audience was Aribam Syam Sharma, renowned filmmaker who won a Grand Prix award. And he took the lead in condemning the governor's statement.
Two days later, Syam Sharma posted an open letter to the governor on Facebook. "I shall not attempt an answer to your question here so I forfeit any claim to tea with Your Excellency. But I shall make an observation that I hope would be entertained by you," the filmmaker wrote.
Syam said: "This much I can say that in the culture of those assembled on that occasion (inauguration) asking such a question - fit for schoolchildren - to those who have dedicated their lifetime, who are living embodiment of culture, is considered as uncultured, in our culture. Perhaps, this is a case of culture shock."
"Your Excellency's playful challenge to those who assembled, amongst which were gurus of the arts and culture of Manipur, is considered as thaksi khasi naidaba, leibak macha tadaba (a rough translation is ‘a person who doesn't show respect or has decency’) in our culture. I would not attempt to translate these phrases in English because what is significant here would be lost in translation," the filmmaker wrote.
This is the second time the governor caused "unhappiness" among people from the cultural sphere. The governor "angered" members of State Kala Akademi when he allegedly proposed to condole the demise of famed boxer Md Ali during this year's first meeting of the Akademi recently.
"We, of course, do condole cultural gurus of the country and Manipur. We politely refused the governor's proposal," a leading figure of Manipuri culture who attended the meeting said. The governor is the chairperson of the Akademi.
Within few days, the centre had removed him from Imphal Raj Bhavan.
Meghalaya
2017/ Resigns on ‘ladies club’ charge
Manosh Das | TNN | Meghalaya governor quits on ‘ladies club’ charge Jan 27, 2017 The Times of India
HIGHLIGHTS
Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan resigned following allegations of sexual harassment charges.
Raj Bhavan staff had petitioned seeking government's intervention to remove the Governor.
Women activists had begun a signature campaign seeking Shanmuganathan's removal
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan, 67, resigned in Jan 2017 after employees of the Raj Bhavan here demanded his removal for "seriously compromising" the dignity of the gubernatorial office and following accusation of sexual harassment by the governor.
Almost 100 Raj Bhavan staff here petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee, the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister seeking their intervention to remove the Governor and restore the dignity of the Raj Bhavan.
The employees had alleged that Shanmuganathan had "seriously compromised the dignity of the Raj Bhavan and made it a 'young ladies club'.
"It has become a place where young ladies come and go at will on direct orders of the Governor... Many of them have direct access to his bedroom," the petition said.
An R S S activist, Shanmuganathan, took over as the Governor of Meghalaya in May 2015
Women activists had begun a signature campaign in Shillong seeking Shanmuganathan's removal. The campaign, spearheaded by the Civil Society Women Organisation (CSWO) and Thma u Rangli (TUR), was launched following reports of inappropriate behavior by the Governor.
A woman job aspirant had also accused the governor of making advances when she had appeared for an interview at the Raj Bhavan.
