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India Abroad
08-01-2003
Mona Vijaykar felt vindicated when she recently held the Network of
Indian
Parents in Classrooms' first meeting.
For many years, the Bay Area writer was distraught at the
'misrepresentations' about India and Hindu culture in school textbooks,
and
the 'narrow perspective' with which it was taught.
"Imagine my shock," Vijaykar said, "when the Indian woman looked like a
cross between an Arab and a Sri Lankan fisherwoman, with a bindi, a lungi
and a Turkish veil. The school had been using this illustration for years."
Twelve years later, little has changed, says Vijaykar. Two years ago, she
found her younger son's 6th grade teacher spent eight weeks on Greek
mythology, whereas the study of Ancient India merited four days.
This year, Vijaykar got clearance from her neighborhood school to provide
a
classroom with a presentation on India. It was not easy as she had to
convince the superintendent she did not have a religious agenda.
It was only after she gave a detailed report on her presentation that it
was approved. The presentation received a hearty response, and
convinced
the writer it was time to become an activist.
Vijaykar called together a group of people from the Bay Area, including
community activists, industrial philanthropists and politically connected
Indian-Americans June 29. One of the attendees was Deepka Lalwani, vice
chair, Milpitas City Planning Commission.
"I knew of Mona because I had bought her book The Vee Family more than
10
years ago," Lalwani told India Abroad. "When I heard about what she
wants
to do, I told her I will help her in every way I can to contact school
boards and alert them to relevant concerns."
"She said when an artist has to play an Indian character, they paint him or
her black. It struck me as so odd."
Even though both women's children will be out of school by the time the
project materializes, their effort is for children of other Indian parents,
they said. The organization plans to create 'a master presentation' with
the help of experts and this, along with worksheets about Indian history
and culture, would be provided to schools in the Bay Area to incorporate in
their curriculum. When Vijaykar first attempted to interest Indian parents
in her Project, the response was more often than not unwelcoming. "There
is
a need within all of us to belong to the new community in our adopted
country," said Vijaykar. "The way to do that is not carrying your identity
on your sleeve.
"When I began to talk openly about these issues, it was a little unnerving
for them. Indians are so accommodating that their attitude is 'If you don't
know who we are, it is OK.' What they don't realize is that this [attitude]
hurts us."
Vijaykar admits her idea is far from original. There are many people doing
similar work, she said, adding her goal is bring them together and develop
a consolidated effort. The Bay Area's Islamic Network Group, she said,
provides a good example for her group.
She points out that due to the Network's efforts, children spend more than
two and a half months studying Islam with material and speakers provided
by
the group.