New York [US], April 3 (ANI): The Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) used its 75th anniversary celebration to emphasize the lack of constitutional recognition for the Rajasthani language in India.
Call for Rajasthani Language Inclusion
The event, held on a cruise over the Hudson River, was attended by over 400 guests, with community leaders expressing frustration over what they described as a “continued injustice.”
- RANA President Prem Bhandari voiced strong displeasure that Rajasthani remains excluded from the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which lists India’s officially recognized languages.
- Bhandari pointed out that the Rajasthan State Assembly passed a unanimous resolution in 2003 urging its inclusion, but the central government has not acted on it.
- He recalled that the resolution was a result of RANA’s first International Convention and advocacy with then-Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
“Despite overwhelming support, lack of political will has prevented progress,” Bhandari stated.
Jaipur Foot Initiative Expands Globally
Bhandari, who also chairs Jaipur Foot USA, announced major upcoming artificial limb fitment camps:
- Golden Temple, Amritsar – A large-scale camp in collaboration with the American Punjab Society.
- Trinidad and Tobago – Organized with support from India’s High Commission, securing approvals and logistics.
These initiatives are part of India’s “India for Humanity” program, under which the Ministry of External Affairs has funded 32 international Jaipur Foot camps, providing free prosthetic limbs across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Honoring Outgoing and Incoming Indian Consulate Officials
The event also served as a farewell ceremony for Varun Jeph, the outgoing Deputy Consul General of India in New York, recognized for his record tenure of over 3 years and 8 months.
- Jeph was praised for his dedication and support to the Indian diaspora across the 10-state jurisdiction of the Indian Consulate in New York.
- The incoming Deputy Consul General, Vishal Harsh, was formally welcomed, along with Surender Adhana and Eldos Mathew Punnoose from the Indian Foreign Service.
Cultural Engagement and Community Participation
The 75th-anniversary celebrations included:
- Cultural performances showcasing Rajasthan’s rich heritage.
- Poetry recitations by Abhinav Shukla.
- Significant participation from young Rajasthanis across the tri-state area, reflecting growing interest in preserving their linguistic and cultural identity.
The event reinforced the community’s demand for official recognition of Rajasthani, urging the Indian government to act on its 21-year-old resolution. (ANI)
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