Greece fighting for its self-respect: JNU professors

The academic world in the Jawaharlal Nehru University has expressed concern about the possible fallout of Greek economic crisis on its rich culture. JNU Professors believe that Greece, which is culturally and historically rich country, is fighting for its self respect after years of living on borrowed money and paying the price with savage austerity. Assistant Professor of Greek Studies Anil Kumar Singh said on Monday that injustice is being done to Greece and the European Union should give its monetary power back because Greece has its cultural legacy.

“Greece has big relevance in the present scenario of the European Union. Only business and economy are not the only factors. Greece has given a lot to EU in terms of culture,” Singh said. According to historians, Greece was the only country in Europe which was known for its cultural legacy. And to maintain the cultural legacy, Greece has constructed a museum despite facing poor economic conditions. 

“The museum was made to restore all the incalculable sculptures which were robbed by British and Germans in the 19th century from Parthenon temple,” Singh said. “It is believed that presently, many sculptures, which were robbed by lord Elgin from Athens, are preserved in British Museum.” Greece, which is facing economic crisis, has to pay loans to the European Union. Earlier, the developed nations of European Union - Germany and Britain - had invested in Greece for the infrastructure development. 

“In 1980, Greece was at rank 28 in the category of the developed nations. The economic crisis occurred later in Greece,” said Singh. According to the scholars in JNU, England and Britain are big investors in Greece. “EU cannot neglect the economical contributions of the Greece. Greece is considered a valuable contributor because of the tourism factor,” said Singh.

“During the peak summers, tourists from the country like Finland where the temperature drops to minus 20, stay in Greece for two months. The tourism factor of Greece is non-negligible,” said the Professor while reacting on the present crisis faced by Greece. As per professor Singh, Greeks are conservative people but are highly Europeanised too. The present generation is pro-Europe while the older Greeks are more opposite to the European Union. 

“Greek people are freedom lovers. They are not to do compromise with their sovereignty on the mercy attitude of France and Germany towards them,” Singh added. In the entire South-Asian region, Singh is the only professor who is teaching Greek Studies in the School of International Studies, JNU.