The introspection of the community of our times in IITM marks a period of Renaissance. Thrust in a new direction appears to be much sought after, hopefully for the better.

During the valedictory of second Bharat Utsav, organizers have deplored that the response was not upto the mark. The success of a mission such as Bhart Utsav depends on the path followed. In the past, the Extra Mural Lectures by Prof.N.V.C.Swamy on 'Science & Religion', by Prof.V.Krishnamurthy on 'The concept of Avtar' and by Mark Tully on 'India and Indianness' were very well attended and appreciated. The lecture given by Prof.V.Krishnamurthy for the first Bharat Utsav was also well received. In the second Bharat Utsav the audience present during Sriram Parusaram's lec-dem did applaud him.

A typical mind in IIT approaches things with a questioning attitude. Therefore the speakers should have a critical and in depth presentation like the examples just mentioned. But, for the organizers it is very difficult to always get good personalities. Our IIT community should patiently understand this limitation.

Then some of us opine that everything should be Indian. Our is Indian Institute of Technology, why not Institute of Indian Technology? Is there anything Indian in the technology and science we learn and teach here? Why did we receive financial support from Germany to set up IIT? Why do we publish papers in foreign journals? Why do we send a Ph.D. thesis abroad for evaluation? Why do we apply for Humboldt fellowship? English is our official language, why not an Indian language? Why don't we wear Dhoti while coming to the department? By proceeding along these lines should IIT be changed along with MG?

Addressing this, the criticism on MG in the latest issue of Focus brings out unanimity among the critics in one sense. The bad part of MG should be removed immediately and meaningful objectives should be set. While the former is well understood the latter is being conceived.

• Professional shows incude Indian classical and modern along with Western,
• The general quiz questions on India and other parts of the globe,
• The fine arts and music competetions attract great talent in Indian classical & modern as well as western,
• The movies screened (off the line) are both Bollywood and Hollywood,
• The dishes in food stalls offer Bhelpuri and Pizza,
• Mardi Gras is a French name,
• The official language is English.

In essence, if Bharat Utsav represents 'Nationa' Mardi Gras stands for 'International'. If Bharat Utsav teaches 'Local' Mardi Gras preaches 'Global'. One should have a deep understanding of our 'local' culture and the see what 'non-local' culture has to offer for our improvement. That is why, in first semester we should learn about our own culture in Bharat Utsav and then only in second semester we can see global culture in Mardi Gras. Does not our culture uniquely represent 'Unity in Diversity'? As there is a nice organisation in the contents of Bharat Utsav to underline several 'good' aspects of Indian culture, Mardi Gras shoud also have similar contents to explore the 'good' aspects of other cultures of the world along with ours. We should strive towards a 'Global Village'.

In science, do we find solution for a problem by coining a new term? Does a new name for Mardi Gras remove the associated evils mentioned in Focus? Bombay, Cannaught place, ???