| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 31-Mar-01 10:53 PM
Hi everyone,
A few days ago, based on trust and goodwill,
I had made a public promise here on this Web
site that I would write about Adwiti Subba
and her recent (www.poetry.com) achievments
for the Sunday Post section of The Kathmandu
Post.
In making that promise, I thought, quite
simply, that I would be helping a Nepali poet
-- who seemed to have won (at first glance
anyway) an important lierary prize -- promote
her achievments.
Nothing more.
However, after visiting these Web sites (listed
below) I understand that the very legitimacy
of poetry.com is in doubt. In fact, so much so
that the site had been featured NEGATIVELY
in an ABC news expose (with Barbara Walters,
no less) and is under investigation for fraud.
In light of the above, I would like to RETRACT
my promise made publicly to Adwiti and to
all you readers. In other words, hey, ke
garne, I was fooled -- just like, I suppose,
most of you.
But, hey, one lives and learns, and
that's life.
It is ONLY after giving the matter careful
thought, I am posting this 'retraction' here.
In doing this, my intention is to serve the
GBNC Web site visitors with the truth, even
when parts of that truth can be complex
and uncomfortable at times.
oohi
ashu
*******************
First is transcript of ABC’s 20/20 expose on how
everybody who enters such a poetry.com contest is
a semi-finalist:
http://wind.wind.org/abc-nlp.htm
also the following:
http://wind.wind.org/literary.scams.htm
http://wockyjivvy.com/poetry/shame/index.html
You can follow these links to lots of others. Basically
anything called "International Library of Poetry" is
a scam.
*********************************
|
| Biswo |
Posted
on 01-Apr-01 04:31 AM
Pretty shocking news!
I hope this thing will be made clear by Adwiti herself.
|
| diwas k |
Posted
on 01-Apr-01 10:38 AM
The latest poetry_dot_com revelation does not (and will not) make Adwiti's poem any less enjoyable... -dk
|
| Hom Raj |
Posted
on 01-Apr-01 10:47 AM
Probably Adwiti fell victim of this scam herself. It seems like the main purpose of this organization is to target the people who don't know things. In that sense it's not Adwiti who could clarify things. She might not even know. If she knew all about these things associated with this organization she probably wouldn't have participated in it.
Anyway, now this information is out where more people can see it. Hopefully other writers can protect themselves from getting trapped in this kind of business.
Hom Raj
|
| Richard Haffner, H&S Inc |
Posted
on 01-Apr-01 07:31 PM
Ashu
Your lack of contacting Adwiti prior to posting your public statement on the internet is to say the least, unprofessional. This statement also represents your lack of understanding of the American media i.e. televison news magazines.
Just so you can get some of your facts correct, the competiton Adwiti Subba competed in was as stated; a competition that ranged worldwide and involved thousands. Of these thousands there were only , thirty finalists invited to compete for the final reading. As I hope you now understand that not every one who entered was selected as a finalist,nor did every person who entered worldwide receive a silver medal, certificate and cash prize.
It is my understanding that you were interested in supporting and promoting the achievements of fellow Nepalese people. There is no relevancy to the retraction of your public notice for printing an article on Adwiti, and poetry.com‘s alleged misrepresentation. Adwiti entered in a competition of which she did factually represent Nepali Indians in the highest regards and her work did receive one of ten silver medal awards of which her work was very deserving. Myself and my corporation feel her poetry has tremendous promise. I am moved when I hear her read her work, and others are also very touched.
This one time event held by poetry.com in Washington DC,USA was just that, a one time event for Adwiti Subba, and this should not disregard her as a poet. Her accomplishments have extended beyond this one time event .H&S Publications has released her book “ Verses from the Himalayas” on March 18th 2001 . Through great response H&S Publications will be printing a second edition. Adwiti will be doing readings scheduled throughout the southeastern United States. There are engagements in the works for a book release in Hong Kong , Malaysia ,India and possibly Kathmandu.
It was though my request that she entertain your many flamboyant questions for your “ article’. After reading your public notification of the retraction of this article I have apologised to Adwiti for my encouragement. Your lack of notifying Adwiti Subba of your public retraction prior to posting it was again highly improper and as her publicist and publisher I do not feel confident that your article would have been of adequate supportive exposure for this talented Nepali/Indian ,who is very proud of her Nepalese heritage and her upbringing in Darjeeling, India.
She is a true artist and everyone who reads her work has been inspired and more than supportive. So,I ask you how does the alleged fraud of an organisation that Adwiti Subba blamelessly competed in, have anything to do with the quality of her work? She does not have to take the blame for the organisation, the attempt was sincere and so were the majority of the contestants!
In conclusion, I believe you contacted her, and she did not seek out publicity through your paper. You solicited her in the regards of human interest. I would like to reiterate Adwiti Subba has no affiliation or ties to poetry.com and simply entered a contest. I would like to give you one word of advise, be careful and fully aware when you make a public statement before getting the full story correct.
Professionally yours,
Richard Haffner
CEO/Chairman
H&S Publications
H&S International Inc.
|
| Gopi |
Posted
on 01-Apr-01 10:12 PM
I think Ashu did the right thing by notifing the web visitors
with truth,under his own name.After all Aditi ,herself was a product of this web or our own "media".
How did you assume ,we readers will disregard Aditi's talent just by readings from those links.We have seen her work on this web-site,everybody,I,enjoyed and some praised her.If were to write something on a respected newspaper,ktm post, I would do the research on it,it will be under my name, wouldn't you.
Ofcourse truth hurts,but also cures.
take it easy,
Gopi
|
| San Pradhan |
Posted
on 01-Apr-01 10:53 PM
I don't think Ashu's retraction undermines Adwiti's poetic talents in any way; and I hope it was not taken as such.
If the legitimacy of some poetry sites are questionable as shown by the links provided in the initial posting, I don't blame Ashu for retracting his promise.
However, it IS admirable that R. Haffner posted on behalf of a Nepalese poet.
Congratulations to Adwiti on all her literary achievements. Your presence in these forums in this site is much appreciated and we hope to see more of you.
Best Wishes,
SP
|
| baba wawa |
Posted
on 01-Apr-01 11:44 PM
By any chance could "H & S Publishing" be Haffner and Subba?
|
