Whats funny about this entire discussion you sparked is your ASSumption that a muslim name (Lubna Naseem) denotes that she’s a Pakistani.

She is, in fact, an Indian who is a muslim, one of many that exist in this world. Nice ASSumption, mate. She and the rest of the volunteers worked their asses off and put on a great event. Everyone walked away culturally enriched. Maybe you did too and you hopefully learned in that time that there are Indians that are muslims as well as hindus.

A NetSAP event is only as high- or low-brow as the people involved in organizing it.

I’d like to point out that not a lot of people bother to get involved in the organization, while quite a few seem willing to critique from the sidelines.

Timepass got it right. Get off the assumption bandwagon for just a minute and stop implying that the organizers have complete control over who sponsors the event. Money is hard to come by, and authors take convincing. We strive really hard to have a good mix, but people are people. One rather renknowned author with exactly one book under his belt asked for a rather hefty fee (to the tune of $7500…sorry, we’re a non-profit, and we don’t offer honoraria). Others have tight schedules, conflicting book tours, movie releases, protests, you name it. And the sponsors? We take money from anyone that can support us without conflicting with NetSAP’s 501(c)3 status, and that means we get a lot of in-kind sponsorship, and not a lot of money.

The event, by the way, costs upwards of $20,000 a year to put on. We strive to break even; if we ever make a profit, it’s very modest (a few hundred dollars, at best) and it all goes back into the organization.

Hopefully, this portrays a more accurate picture of how hard it is to organize. Lubna, Shalini, and the rest of the organizing committee do a fantastic job, spending many many many hours a week, and they never make a penny off any of it. Give them props, tell people about the event, but for heaven’s sake, no bitching. We like keeping our morale up, ok?

You got me right.

M. Nam

I read it the same way. In fact, its a good question for all ardent “South Asianists”(and there are alot here). How much do Bangladeshis and Pakistanis contribute to “South Asian” institution-building? Do the Pakistani and Bangladeshi embassies co-sponsor such events?

Would love to know.

To be honest, I had read Moornam’s comment to be questioning why only or primarily Indian sponsors are on the “South Asian” bandwagon, i.e. where is the Pakistani and Bangladeshi commitment to a “South Asian” platform? Perhaps I am wrong, and should just let Moornam explain…

All of you Indian attendees must repent by — I dunno, doing something really patriotic like watching Sunny Deol’s ‘Border’. American attendees must repent by refighting the war of 1812 — maybe this time you’ll win.