Dear CCS Team,
I have come across a Centre for Civil Society
document, ABCDs of Governance / Bhagidari: Good
intention, Bad Implementation? by Kumar Gaurav &
Mayank Singhal at:
http://www.ccsindia.org/policy/gov/studies/wp0048.pdf
This mentions me, I think, on page 5 of pdf / 82
print. That is, it mentions part of my name and one or
two points from my critique of Bhagidari (interpreted
as also-echo-albeit-in-different-way of sentiments of
Bhagidars!). I do not recall having met or spoken
with the authors, but then I talk to many young
people. And I am not perturbed about my views being
misinterpreted, as I myself do not always ensure,
except in case of serious publications, that I have
been properly understood.
I am writing because I am described as Architect, in a
manner (with quote, etc) suggesting that I might have
described myself thus. I think that makes me liable
under the Architects Act for action against
misrepresentation, as I am not a registered Architect.
I am a Planner. (Even if I were a registered
Architect, which I could be since I am qualified as
one, I might have been liable for action against
improperly advertising my title of Architect while
opining about matters like RWA politics of tubewells
or unconstitutionality of Bhagidari that are unrelated
to duly defined practice of Architecture).
I am aware boundaries between professions are not
clearly understood by non-professionals, but I am sure
CCS at least will appreciate my concern, on common
ground of profound respect for freedom. After all,
freedom of profession is fundamental and the inspiring
quotes on CCS website are fundamentally resonant with
my sentiment: Just as Free People Are Not Equal
(Except In Law) And Equal People Are Not Free,
likewise Professional Urbanists Are Not Generalists
(Even In Law) And Generalist Urbanists Are Not
Professional. Just as Eternal Vigilance Is The Price
Of Liberty, likewise Professional Care Is the Price Of
Freedom of the professions to be.
I am also aware that at CCS careless extension of
People-Are-Not-Equal to Professions-Are-Not-Equal has
at times slipped the eye of Eternal Vigilance to tread
the toes of freedom of the professions. Planners have
been at the receiving end of utterly misguided and
shockingly intemperate remarks from Mr Swaminathan S.
Anklesaria Aiyar, archived on his website, linked from
that of CCS:
http://www.swaminomics.org/articles/2001125_streethawking.htm
I am open to the thought that since Mr Swaminathan S.
Anklesaria Aiyar is on CCS Board of Scholars his
scholarly, albeit misguided and intemperate, opinion
might have echoed in a different way in CCS practice
to describe Planners usable in its publications as
something else. I appreciate that CCS is free to
determine its practices and I am sure CCS appreciates
that it is not free to force them on me.
I have not checked whether the publisher is liable for
action if anyone complains against me for misuse of
title of Architect. If anyone does, I will rely on
this communication in my defence. Please do let me
know what, if anything, you propose to do in this
matter.
With regards,
Gita Dewan Verma, Planner
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