Related News:

Scenes denigrating Shree Ganesh from the play ‘Ganesh versus the Third Reich’:

May 5th, 2013 (Chaitra Krushna Dashami, Kaliyug Varsha 5115):

Status of protest: Protest in progress

Link to denigration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93xY06Sh7FE

Few scenes denigrating Lord Nataraj from the Youtube video:

Satvik image of Lord Nataraj:

 Appeal to devout Hindus

Namaste to all the readers,

We have received complaints from several Hindus about the Lord Nataraj’s denigration on Youtube. The video clip is ridiculing the Hindu deity, Lord Nataraj and making mockery of Hinduism. Now a days, it has become a trend to denigrate Hindu deities and Hindus religious practices. Understandably, one devout Hindu has written to the person who posted this  video on Youtube, bringing to their attention, the anti Hindu nature of this denigration and that is hurting the religious sentiments of devotees of Lord Nataraj and millions of Hindus. However, there has been no response from the denigrator.

In light of this, we appeal to you to protest against this denigration. Let us promptly inundate the denigrator with emails, registering our peaceful, but educative and protests at the following contacts.

Click below to watch the denigratory video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93xY06Sh7FE

Devout Hindus should lawfully lodge their protest by contacting on following phone number (Russian)  and writing to the following E-mail ID and also flag the video on the Youtube!

Website of the creator of video :  http://melnitsa.com/#/en/

Address: Melnichnaya Str., 4, 192019, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

Phone: +7 812 412 1552,
Fax: +7 812 412 8506

Email: info@melnitsa.com

Email : natretusvak@gmail.com

Post comments and flag the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93xY06Sh7FE

How to Report Abuse:

1. YouTube: Click on ‘Flag’ option (indicated by an image of flag) available below video
2. Select “Hateful or abusive content” option under “What is the issue”
3. Select “Promotes hatred or violence” from the pull-down menu
4. Provide any comment in the dialog-box on right and click on “submit”

Protest letter written by a devout Hindu

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: Srinivas Shakelly
To: Natretusvak@gmail.com
Cc: info@forumforhinduawakening.org
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2013 6:52 PM
Subject: Protest against youtube video – Pixar – The God 

Natretusvak,

The video you posted is against one`s faith and it is hurting the religious sentiments of Hindu brethren. It is coward act and your intention is to defame and denigrate the Hindu God Natraj. Your creativity for material benefits will not be tolerated by Hindus. It is all your ignorance which made this mockery. Lord Natraj, or any other Gods/Goddess are in subtle form, which means that they are not having any physical body, which we can touch/feel. They are always or 90% time in subtlest form of the universe and in 10% time they resolve a subtle(non-physical) form/body which cannot be touched but feel. They are not human-being, so their body needs time to time care or when in emergency as already said, that they’ve no physical body, and they remain present in smallest particle of the universe (earth also) in some %.

Statues/Photos of Gods/Goddess resemble their Sagun (God’s manifest) form , and should not be altered for personal benefit /interest , as altering it means we are breaking the divine consciousness and thus defaming . My request is for you to immediately remove this video from all the sites you posted it on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93xY06Sh7FE

Devout Hindu,

Srinivas 

Status of protest: Protest Successful

Related News: http://forumforhinduawakening.org/dharma/news/2013/03/29/success-hindu-unity-russian-art-gallery-removes-paintings-denigrating-shri-krishna/

Latest Update: As per the latest information, the Russian Art Gallery website, ‘ArtNow.ru’ has removed pornographic art that depicts Shri Krishna. This is nothing but the effect of Hindu Unity.  (O Hindus, Let us offer gratitude at the holy feet of Shri Krishna for this success ! Please continue to  protest lawfully in proper language till Art Now gallery apologizes to Hindus for hurting their religious sentiments. – Editor)

Appeal to devout Hindus

Painter who created denigratory pictures of Shree Krishna

A Russian Art Gallery website, ‘ArtNow.ru’ is selling pornographic art commercially that depicts Bhagawan Shri Krishna. In another painting, it is shown that a nude girl is walking behind A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Founder of ISKCON), thereby insulting him. This is nothing but a serious insult and denigration of revered Hindu deity worshipped by billions of Hindus and a Hindu Saint having millions of followers from all over the world.

Now it is duty of all devout Hindus all over the world to protest lawfully against the pervert painter, who have insulted Hindu Dharma under the guise of ‘Art and Freedom of Expression’ and against the Art Gallery which is providing platform to such perverts, so that they apologise to Hindu community and remove all such pervert paintings insulting Hindu Dharma. Also we should ensure that they should not commit such mistake in future.

Visitors can send their lawful protest to concern authorities through comments section on HJS Website

Read more at: http://www.hindujagruti.org/news/15935_insult-of-shri-krushna-artnow.html
(Caution: This image is sexually graphic and unsuitable for children. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Here are the links of the denigrating pictures kept on Art Now website :
http://artnow.ru/ru/gallery/3/18522/picture/0/533807.html
http://artnow.ru/ru/gallery/3/18522/picture/5/order533797.html
http://artnow.ru/ru/gallery/3/18522/picture/4.html

The link to the artist is:
http://artnow.ru/ru/gallery/0/18522.html

Source: HJS

‘Bhojshala’ is an ancient and the only temple of Mata Saraswati, built by Raja Bhoj in 1034 AD. Bhojshala was home to thousands of students and scholars and it was main centre of education. Attacks on Bhojshala started from 1305 AD and Muslims built today’s Kamal Moulana dargah near Bhojshala.

Bhojshala has become victim of Governments of Madhya Pradesh due to appeasement of Muslims for votes. Today Archeological Survey of India (ASI) allows everyone to go inside Bhojshala ‘as a tourist’ with fees. On tuesday, Hindus can enter in Bhojshala and they are allowed to take flowers and akshata. But since the new idol of Vagdevi is seized by Madhya Pradesh government and kept in Gwalior jail, Hindus can’t offer anything to Saraswati Mata. On friday, Muslims are allowed to offer Namaz in Bhojshala complex. Vasant (Basant) Panchami, also known as Mata Saraswati Jayanti is the only day in the year on which Hindus are allowed to perform full-fledge puja by taking idol or photo of Mata Saraswati inside Bhojshala. So Muslims can offer Namaz in Bhojshala 52 times in a year, but Hindus can perform puja only once in a year. It should be noted that Dhar, where Bhojshala is located, has 16 mosques to offer Namaz.

What do you want in Bhojshala on this Vasant Panchami (15^thFebruary 2013) – Puja or Namaz ?

In year 2006, Vasant (Basant) Panchami was on friday, so the demand of the Hindus to perform puja in Bhojshala for the full day was refused and the police also used force against Hindu devotees and arrested many. Now this year 2013, again Vasant (Basant) Panchami happens to be on friday and Hindu Devotees are demanding to perform puja for the whole day and restrict Muslims to offer Namaz in Bhojshala on this day. Also the BJP Govt. should release Vagdevi (Mata Saraswati) idol from Gwalior Jail, which was installed by Hindus in Bhojshala.    Read More >>

Related News:

Scenes denigrating Shree Ganesh from the play ‘Ganesh versus the Third Reich’:

Related News:

Scenes denigrating Shree Ganesh from the play ‘Ganesh versus the Third Reich’:

January 24, 2013 (Poush Shukla Trayodashi, Kaliyug Varsha 5114):

• Lord Ganesh is shown captured by the Nazis and is threatened by a knife.
• Lord Ganesh is trivialized as He is shown talking about His relationship, where He ate and drank wine.
• He is compared with fictitious comic characters such as ‘Spider-man’ and ‘King Kong’.
• The character within the play (Brian) who plays Lord Ganesh, frequently takes off the Ganesh mask and utters obscenities like suck my d**k etc.
• The play has an obscene innuendo surrounding Lord Ganesh, wherein one character asks another, whether the length of Lord Ganesh’s trunk is long enough, and the audience laugh.
• A man with board shorts, no shirt and a garland plays Lord Vishnu in the play
• Lord Shiva is portrayed in poor taste and there is a scene where he plucks a human being into two

I would also bring to your notice that a total of 13 Hindu organisations in Victoria state alone, in Australia were against this play and had strongly registered their protest. Please refer to the link below for details of the protests concerning this play.

http://forumforhinduawakening.org/dharma/campaigns/2011/09/12/protesthindu%E2%80%99s-deity-shree-ganesh-trivialised-in-a-play-at-melbourne-festival-5/

Hindu Dharma (Hinduism) considers art as a means for universal upliftment of human values and a medium to merge in to the Divine. However this play cannot be termed as art if it tramples upon emotional sentiments of Hindus, in the name of entertainment of a few.

In view of the above facts, it is quite regrettable that the play is now being featured in your theater. We are sure, it will anger the Hindu brethren in USA, due to its content and utter disregard to sentiments of Hindus towards their revered deities Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva. Hence, it our sincere request to you to please consider the cancelling of this play to avoid any further controversy.

Sincerely,

Srinivas Shakelly, a Hindu
Volunteer, Forum for Hindu Awakening
www.HinduAwakening.org

In the first week of November 2012, Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) started online campaign protesting against inclusion of the Late M.F. Husain’s paintings in Art exhibition “Classical Art in the Palace – From Picasso and Matisse to M. F. Husain” at Emirates Palace’s Mezzaluna restaurant, Abu Dhabi being held from 21st Nov. 2012 to 10th Jan. 2013. In response to this protest Swiss Art Gate, UAE clarified to the FHA volunteer with their stance; that no M. F. Hussain paintings are displayed in the ongoing Art exhibition at Emirates palace. Some correspondence between the Swiss Art Gate, UAE and FHA volunteer is given below.
(“Dear readers let us pay gratitude to God and the Guru for this success! Let’s make sincere efforts to protect our Sanatan Dharma and to eliminate the denigration of Hinduism” – Editor.)
 
Below is the news link on Art Exhibition

http://www.godubai.com/citylife/press_release_page.asp?pr=68033

 
The correspondence between the seeker and the website manager is given below.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Swiss Art Gate UAE
Date: Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 2:39 AM
Subject: RE: Protest against Art exhibition Classical Art in the Palace
From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain
To: Srinivas Shakelly Alain.Ricci@emiratespalace.ae>, Joanne.Ferrer@emiratespalace.ae
Cc: info@proartuae.com

Dear Srinivas Shakelly,
Thank you for your email.
Regarding your protest against the art exhibition in Emirates Palace, there is no substantial reason, as Emirates Palace has not displayed any artwork from MF Husain.
The title of the current art exhibition is “Classical Art in the Palace – From Picasso to Dali”, and showcases classical artists from the 20thCentury. There is *NO *MF Husain in the collection.
Thank you and kind regards,
Kurt Kurt Blum
General Manager
Swiss Art Gate UAE
P.O.Box 450510 | Dubai | United Arab Emirates
T : +971 4 395 8782
E : kblum@swissartgateuae.com
swissartgateuae.com

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Srinivas Shakelly
Date: Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 8:30 PM
Subject: Fwd: Protest against Art exhibition Classical Art in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain
To: Alain Ricci , Joanne.Ferrer@emiratespalace.ae
Cc: kblum@swissartgateuae.com, info@proartuae.com

Dear Joanne Ferrer & Alain Ricci,
It is some time back I wrote to you protesting against Art exhibition Classical Art in the Palace. Below are some follow up emails. Will you please update me what is happening? Can I consider that you have removed all the MF Husain paintings from the Art exhibition. Please reply.

Regards,
Srinivas

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Srinivas Shakelly
Date: Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: Protest against Art exhibition Classical Art in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain
To: Alain Ricci

Dear Joanne Ferrer, Alain Ricci,
Thank you for your assurance that no paintings by M. F. Husain are included in this exhibition at Emirates Palace’s Mezzaluna Restaurant. However, your press release clearly mentions this :
“M.F. Husain came to be known as the Picasso of India. His narrative paintings, executed in a modified Cubist style, can be caustic and funny as well as serious and sombre. His themes, usually treated in series, include topics as diverse as Mohandas K. Gandhi, Mother Teresa, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the British Raj, and motifs of Indian urban and rural life. One of the most celebrated and internationally recognized Indian artists of the 20th century he also received recognition as a printmaker, photographer, and filmmaker.”

Could you kindly clarify how it came to be that despite this press release, Husain’s paintings have been omitted from the exhibition ? Is it a result of the concerns raised about the paintings ?

Sincerely,
Srinivas Shakelly

On Tue, Nov 27, 2012 at 1:29 AM, Alain Ricci wrote:
Dear Mr./Ms. Shakelly,

Greetings from the Emirates Palace. We would like to thank you for raising your concerned.

Kindly be informed that there are no paintings from Mr. MF Husain that has been displayed in Mezzaluna Restaurant.

Thank you.

Sincerely Yours,

Joanne Ferrer on behalf of Mr. Alain Ricci – EAM of Food & Beverage

Personal Assistant to the EAM of Food & Beverage

Emirates Palace
Managed by Kempinski
West Corniche Road
P.O.Box 39999, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Tel : +971 2 6907940
Fax: +971 2 6908890
Joanne.Ferrer@emiratespalace.ae
www.emiratespalace.ae

From: Srinivas Shakelly
Sent: 08 November 2012 7:13 AM
To: Reservations Emirates Palace; Restaurants Emirates Palace; Restaurants Emirates Palace; kblum@swissartgateuae.com; info@proartuae.com
Cc: Anita Cremer; Mohammed AlAoui; info@forumforhinduawakening.org
Subject: Protest against Art exhibition Classical Art in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain
To Emirates Palace’s, Pro art Gallery & Swiss Art Gate,I am writing to express my protest for putting up exhibition, Classical Art in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain on Nov 21 until Jan 10 2013 in Emirates Palace’s Mezzaluna restaurant, Abu dhabi.
http://www.godubai.com/citylife/press_release_page.asp?pr=68033 You are glorifying the work of evil minded artist M.F Husain. World knows how much mental agony he caused and how he destroyed communal harmony by his blasphemous paintings. On the day he passed away there were 1200 court cases against him in India. Your move towards auction will hurt all religious and national sentiments of Hindus all over the world. You can read about his paintings at this below news link. http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/national/mfhussain-campaign/
Your action of including of M.F.Husain’s prints/paintings cannot be fulfilled at the cost of National Honor and one’s religious beliefs. In fact Husain has also not spared animals as he has depicted his cruelty and perversion towards animals by drawing pictures of sexual union between animals and Hindu Goddess and human beings. E.g. He has drawn a painting showing a bull copulating with Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva watching, another painting shows Hindu Goddess Durgadevi in sexual union with Lion. I request Swiss Art Gate UAE, Emirates Palace and Pro Art Gallery to withdraw M.F.Husain’s art work from this exhibition and show your support to National and religious sentiments of Hindus. Waiting for your reply.
Thanks,
Srinivas Shakelly

Related News: Controversial advertisement of ‘Rupa Thermacoat’ withdrawn from TV channels and websites

Protest against Rupa Advertisement for Denigrating the Hindu culture

Link to denigrating advertisement : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiUKCf8Sz8U  (Note: This advertisement has been removed by Rupa Thermacoat after the protest)

Appeal to supporters of Hinduism

Namaste to all the readers,

Recently, we have received complaints from several Hindus about the Rupa thermocot advertisement ” HOT NEW INDIAN AD ‘SWAHA’ – RUPA THERMOCOT “. This Ad is mocking the Hindu dharmik word Swaahaa. Hindus all over world revere this pious, eternal and immortal word “Swaha” it is recited/pronounced invariably in every Yadnya/havan at the end of mantra. Rupa company is ridiculing this mantra by mixing it with other fancy lyrics for materialistic goals. This kind of advertisements sets incorrect examples for future generations, eventually it can erode Hindu faith in divine. Accordingly, one of our volunteers promptly wrote to the Rupa thermocot owners, bringing to their attention, the anti Hindu nature of this advertisement that is hurting the religious sensitivities of millions of Hindus. However, there has been no response from Rupa corp.

In light of this, we appeal to you to protest and end this denigration by sending emails or phone calls, registering our peaceful, but educative and prompt protests with the following contacts.

Click below to watch the advertisement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiUKCf8Sz8U
Devout Hindus should protest lawfully on following

India Free Numbers: 91 33 3057 3100 Fax: 91 33 2288 1362 Email: connect@rupa.co.in
Post online complaint at http://www.rupa.co.in/feedback.php
Mailing Address:
SRupa & Company Limited
1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani
Metro Tower, 8th Floor
Kolkata 700071, India

Protest letter written by devout Hindu

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Srinivas Shakelly
Date: Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 11:32 PM
Subject: Protest against HOT NEW INDIAN AD ‘SWAHA’ – RUPA THERMOCOT
To: connect@rupa.co.in
Cc: info@forumforhinduawakening.org
Namaste Rupa Chairman P R Agarwal, Vice Chairman G.P Agarwal and Managing Director K.B.Agarwal Ji,
I am writing this protest letter after watching your latest Ad. ” HOT NEW INDIAN AD ‘SWAHA’ – RUPA THERMOCOT ” at

I am very upset at this video. Don’t you know when we use this word ‘Swaahaa’ (as in offering, generally unto the divine, unto the Deity of Fire / Agnidev) in Hindu Dharmik rituals. You can read about it at this link http://www.vedmandir.com/node/101

The well established industrialist like you are ignoring the lofty Sanatan Dharma and its practices. In the name of modern civilization with all its unfettered freedoms and perverted intelligence we are actually contributing to this degradation all over the world. This indeed is a matter of grave concern. I quickly read some first few lines from news paper “the underlying Inner story” on your life achievements. I felt happy for that, you are the people who also care for the social responsibilities.

I humbly request you to also care for some moral, social and spiritual values. Stop hurting the religious sentiments of Hindu’s all over the world through this advertisement. The nonsensical lyrics cause total mockery of the Swaahaa term in Dharmik context. Hence, it is denigration of Hindu Dharma. It sets incorrect examples for future generations, eventually it can erode Hindu faith in divine.

Please remove this advertisement immediately from commercial airplays and other online medium(Youtube). Send apologies and make sure not to make such mistakes in the future.

Sincerely,
Srinivas Shakelly

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Related News:  Protest against Classical Art exhibition in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain, Abu dhabi

Appeal to supporters of Hinduism

Namaste, dear supporter of Hinduism.
 
We have received complaints from several Hindus about the inclusion of the Late M.F. Husain’s paintings in Art exhibition “Classical Art in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain”  at Emirates Palace’s Mezzaluna  restaurant, Abu dhabi from 21^st Nov to Jan 10 2013. Accordingly, one of our volunteers promptly wrote to the organizers, bringing to their attention the anti Hindu nature of the Late Husain, who had blatantly trampled upon the religious sensitivities of millions of Hindus by drawing many anti Hindu paintings denigrating Hindus’ revered Deities during his career. (Please see below the email of protest to the organizers, sent by this alert supporter of Hinduism.) However, there has been no response from Emirates Palace’s.
 
You can learn more about the late Husain’s paintings at:
http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/national/mfhussain-campaign/intro.php
 
In light of this, we appeal to you to protest and end this denigration. Let us inundate the organizers with emails or phone calls, registering our peaceful, but educative and prompt protests with the following contacts at Emirates Palace, Abu dhabi.

Art Exhibition venue details:

Emirates Palace
West Corniche Road
P.O.Box – 39999

Click here for news details

http://www.godubai.com/citylife/press_release_page.asp?pr=68033

Devout Hindus should protest lawfully on following E-mail ID

Emirates Palace Tel: +971 2 690 9000; +971 2 690 9000 Fax: +971 2 690 9999
E-mail:
reservations@emiratespalace.ae
restaurants@emiratespalace.ae
kblum@swissartgateuae.com,
info@proartuae.com

Anita Cremer         Tel: +971 2 690 9000  FREE +971 2 690 9000 E-mail: anita.cremer@emiratespalace.ae
Mohammed AlAoui      Tel: +971 2 690 9000  FREE +971 2 690 9000 E-mail:mohammed.AlAoui@emiratespalace.ae
 

Protest letter written by devout Hindu

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Srinivas Shakelly
Date: Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Subject: Protest against Art exhibition Classical Art in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain
To: reservations@emiratespalace.ae, Restaurants.emiratespalace@kempinski.com, restaurants@emiratespalace.ae, kblum@swissartgateuae.com, info@proartuae.com
Cc: anita.cremer@emiratespalace.ae, mohammed.AlAoui@emiratespalace.ae, info@forumforhinduawakening.org
 
To Emirates Palace’s, Pro art Gallery & Swiss Art Gate,
 
I am writing to express my protest for putting up exhibition, Classical Art in the Palace –From Picasso and Matisse to MF Husain on Nov 21 until Jan 10 2013 in Emirates Palace’s Mezzaluna  restaurant, Abu dhabi.  http://www.godubai.com/citylife/press_release_page.asp?pr=68033
 
You are glorifying the work of evil minded artist M.F Husain. World knows how much mental agony he caused and how he destroyed communal harmony by his blasphemous paintings. On the day he passed away there were 1200 court cases against him in India. Your move towards auction will hurt all religious and national sentiments of Hindus all over the world. You can read about his paintings at this below news link. http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/national/mfhussain-campaign/
 
Your action of including of M.F.Husain’s prints/paintings cannot be fulfilled at the cost of National Honor and one’s religious beliefs. In fact Husain has also not spared animals as he has depicted his cruelty and perversion towards animals by drawing pictures of sexual union between animals and Hindu Goddess and human beings. E.g. He has drawn a painting showing a bull copulating with Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva watching, another painting shows Hindu Goddess Durgadevi in sexual union with Lion.

I request Swiss Art Gate UAE, Emirates Palace and Pro Art Gallery to withdraw M.F.Husain’s art work from this exhibition and show your support to National and religious sentiments of Hindus. Waiting for your reply.

Thanks,
Srinivas Shakelly

Related News:  Yatra Company withdraws denigrating ads and apologizes to Hindus

Link to denigrating advertisement:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z4JJsj8wgM&feature=related

Last month, Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) received an email from a Hindu, complaining about an ad by Yatra.com, denigrating the Hindu Dharmik practice of showing dhoop after arati. The advertisement was seen here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z4JJsj8wgM&feature=related

Accordingly, a seeker (sadhak) Srinivas wrote to the Yatra Company regarding the advertisement. The Company has taken the educative protest into consideration and informed that they have taken down the arati ad as well as another similar ad surrounding the Hindu concept of bindi , and tendered an apology.

(“Let us pay gratitude to God for this success ! It is a reminder of how prompt, peaceful and educative protests against denigration of Dharma bring success in stopping the denigration. It also shows that there are some companies who are sensitive to Dharmik sentiments. A sensitive response to educative protests can go a long way in gaining the goodwill of the Hindu community.” – Editor.)

The correspondence between the seeker and the Yatra company is given below.

From: The Yatra.com Team
To: Srinivas
Subject: RE: Protest against Yatra Advertisment for Denigrating the Hindu culture
Date: Wed, Nov 7, 2012 at 5:19 AM

Dear Sir,

We would first like to take this opportunity to thank you for your inputs in your email and communication to us raising your concerns regarding our television commercials in the US market.

Yatra.com is India’s leading online travel portal and an award winning globally recognized travel brand established in 2006. We have been voted as the Number 1 Trusted brand in travel and ecommerce in India by Brand Equity 2011. Additionally, we are firm believers in Corporate Social Responsibility and do our utmost by engaging with NGOs like Being Human and contributing for the betterment and improvement of the underprivileged in society.

It has therefore come as a surprise to us to see the concerns raised by you.

To address the concern we did a deep drill down on the facts which are as follows:

Our consumer research showed that young Indians settled in the US were forgetting their roots and customs. They did not feel and seem to not have a connect with “back home: India” and were completely Americanized in their values, thought process and social consciousness. The objective of the ad was to therefore apprise young Indians settled in America about our beliefs, values and rich Indian culture and what they are missing out by not coming home to India more often with their kids . Towards that end Yatra.com, therefore offers economical deals to its valuable customers in America to come home and explore more about Indian culture.

Through the 2 ads of “bindi” and “arti” – both so inherently traditional Indian concepts, we have tried to shake up Indians who are forgetting their roots. The attempt is positive in nature to remind them of their country. It is not meant to be disrespectful or hurtful in any way.

Yatra.com as a responsible Indian brand has a strong belief and respect for Indian culture. The plot depicted in the campaign is a creative dramatization of the current possible scenario that has developed in young Indians and to jolt them out of the reverie. By providing the cheapest tickets to India we aim to bridge the “social cultural ” gap created among Indians living abroad.

We understand your concern and have complete respect for your point-of-view. Our intention as an organization has never been or will ever be to hurt the sentiments of an individual/ Indian community settled abroad.

If, however, we have offended your sensitivities in any way, we sincerely apologize. Furthermore, given our roots and CSR philosophy we have withdrawn the two television commercials from airplay.

Looking forward to a positive closure of the matter.

Always striving to create Happy Travelers (and Indians)

Best Regards,

The Yatra.com Team

From: Srinivas
Sent: 20 October 2012 09:42
To: support@yatra.com; cancellations@yatra.com; alok.vaish@yatra.com; sonia.mehta@yatra.com; manish.amin@yatra.com; sabina.chopra@yatra.com; gautam.kaul@yatraexoticroutes.com; Srinivas.m@yatra.com
Cc: info@forumforhinduawakening.org
Subject: Protest against Yatra Advertisment for Denigrating the Hindu culture

Namaskar to Yatra team members,

I am very upset looking at the Yatra advertisement at

http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=2Z4JJsj8wgM&feature=related

In this AD you have shown disrespect against Hindu’s faith and practices. The American girl asks what is your Mom doing? Daughter make comments against her Mother “My mom does this every morning just to check the fire alarms”. To let you know that in Hinduism we practice so many Dharamacharas, only because of our saints, who have practiced similar things before us and were benefited. They selflessly passed all of them to the humanity through scriptures. Vasstu Shastra gives many remedies to purify the home atmosphere. One of them is showing the dhoop(frankincense) around the house. The spiritual science behind it is, that it brings positive vibrations and the household members get relived from any harmful subtle distressing vibrations. You can read more about Vastushuddhi at

http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/vastu-shashtra/science-of-premises-vastushastra

Yatra advertisement is sending a distorted message to all the viewers. This is nothing but denigration of Hinduism. It is hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. I kindly request you to make changes to it with a correct message or remove this advertisement immediately. Send apologies and make sure not to make such mistakes in the future.

Devout Hindu,
Srinivas S.