Ram:
I have heard dredging doesn't work,
*** That was determined by some IAS babus, who were intimidated by
the thought of finding a place for the dredged silt.
US corps of engineers routinely dredge the major waterways to keep
the navigational channels open, including the one on our back-yard,
the Missouri and its sister river, the Mississippi.
Some are concerned about undermining the foundations of bridge piers.
But that is not a serious problem. Almost all the major bridges
built earlier than say ten years back, would have little to worry,
since the silt that has settled since then, when dredged, still will
reach the levels at which they were cast. And that alone will carry
huge amounts of water more than the rivers do now.
But if some IAS-wallas expect to dredge without having to remove
some of the material a short distance away, obviously are expecting
miracles, like they are used to. There is no free lunch. Question is
how much the alternative's cost?
Once the waterways are dredged, and allowed to flow with less
resistance, the weak banks would also encounter less erosive
pressures and erosion will become less virulent.
At 12:21 PM -0600 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
C'da
>*** Yes, you are off base here Ram :-).
I was actually talking about the Brahmaputra itself. I am wondering
how can human intervention change the course of the river? say in a
short time span (10-50 years). I have heard dredging doesn't work,
dams don't either and would have thought, that one could put up
embankments in one place, but the river would find some other place
(weak).
The river wins in the end :)
About Guwahati itself - I agree. A lot of the planning is faulty
planning, misspent/misdirected resources, corruption, and a general
lack of or indifference of civic sense among the citizenry.
The recent move by the city to ban all plastic bags from stores
-because the bags are thrown out by consumers (actually thrown out -
anywhere outside their well-kept homes) clog the drains - causing
floods is good.
But it is like putting the cart before the horse. Bad or no drainage
may be amajor problem, but the City's floods seem to have a host of
other reasons as well.
--Ram
On 7/4/07, Chan Mahanta
<<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
IMHO, the annual floods are are going to happen every year. I don't
think we can increase/or decrease floods by human action.
The river will find the weakest embankments to crest, and will do so.
*** Yes, you are off base here Ram :-).
There is an enormous amount that could be done and not a moment too soon.
BTW, Guwahati flooding is entirely a man-made phenomenon. It is the
Indian style of non-planning, uneducated citizenry and dysfunctional
govt. bodies that has caused it. To resolve the problem, much that
was done to desecrate the city has to be undone. And it will need
foresight, political will and resources. The last could be
generated. The first is widely available. But the the one in the
middle is the weak link.
At 11:40 AM -0600 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
Hi KJD,
>In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the
most >menacing natural calamity,experienced by the state every
year >particularly since the great earthquake of 1950
I agree, this is a much bigger and affecting more people than Engg.
colleges. And this is a problem that happens every year.
Yes, Umesh did report "after the negative reception he received at
Boston conference ". Don't know exactly what that means - but will
just leave it at that,
Regarding the annual floods: Here are thoughts (and I could be
totally off base in my assumptions)
IMHO, the annual floods are are going to happen every year. I don't
think we can increase/or decrease floods by human action.
The river will find the weakest embankments to crest, and will do so.
So, what exactly can the state do?
It can be ready for it every year by taking evasive actions.
Can be ready with large scale evacuvation plans including livestock
Can identify Highly flood prone areas, and advice settlers of the dangers.
Be prepared with medical facilities
Rescue operation readiness
Help farmers get back on their feet with seed/fertilizer supplies etc.
Help farmers acquire flood insurance - the state can mandate
insurance companies that they must offer reduced rates for farmers.
The state govt. can help farmers with the bulk of the premiums.
The list can go on.
--Ram
On 7/4/07, kamal deka <<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi RS,
My attention was drawn to the following remark,made by Umesh
Sarma.He wrote and I quote " after the negative reception he
received at Boston conference where he was only questioned about
annual flooding "
In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the most menacing
natural calamity,experienced by the state every year particularly
since the great earthquake of 1950.The stagnancy of economy of the
state owes much to this recurrent menace.For example,in the course
of last ten years,the total damage caused by floods to
crops,habitation of people and lives of cattle is estimated at over
Rs.1000 crores.
The dream of setting up of 111 engineering colleges in Assam is okay
( how many medical colleges will be needed to look after the
ailments of these folks,I wonder ?).But then,one must remember that
76% of Assam's population is rural-based,who eke out a living from
their poor surroundings and where facilities in the area of
power,basic education ,health care
benefits,roads/communication/transport etc.are non-existent.Unless
these areas are taken care of by the government,economic prosperity
is impossible,even if you build thousands of engineering colleges.
KJD
On 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani
<<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
Thank you, Umesh for providing an exhaustive account of Assam 2007.
any mecal colleges
--Ram da
On 7/3/07, umesh sharma <<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
Hi,
In the Day 2 of the meeting (on Sunday July 1st, 2007) we arrived
just in time to have the lunch (got value for money - the $110 we
had paid each for the Assam 2007) - I was able to identify the dish
with the shrimp (and avoided a painful alergy outbreak ) .
At the same time meeting of Assam Society was going on - I could
make out the sentences in English which were focused on non-profit
work and fund-raising (of about $2,500 only) and projects been
sponsored and monitored in Assam.
Later Partha-da Gogoi presented a passionate presentation for the
self-help groups and business initiative and mentoring for
engineering students etc <http://www.nepif.weblet.in/>
http://www.nepif.weblet.in/ North East Professional Institutes
Forum
under the leadership of Assam Institute of Management
<http://www.aimguwahati.com/> http://www.aimguwahati.com/ -- which
was later shown in front of the Chief Minister --
alongwith a presentation slideshow of
<http://www.pearllifeline.com/> http://www.pearllifeline.com/ funded
and spearheaded by an NRI/NRA
<http://www.assamtribune.com/may0507/Photo4.html>http://www.assamtribune.com/may0507/Photo4.html
who advised US President George Bush on medical stuff.
<http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/>http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/
After that was the persuasive presentation for promoting engineering
college by Jugal-da Kalita based on research by Jugal-da (IIT , Phd
UPenn - Ivy League Univ, Prof Computer Science, Colorado) , Umesh-da
Tabildar (IIT , NASA, USA ), Jukti-da Kalita (IIT, IIM, PhD
Columbia) , Mantu-da Bhaishya ( BITS, Pilani ) , Ganesh-a Bora (PhD
Kansas - Agriculture engineering) , Durba-da Bhattacharya (Prof
Computer science - Tejpur Univ, Assam)
--- with comments on it by Gautom Barua (Director IIT- Guwahati
Computer Science) and other IIT profs and Dipankar-da Medhi (Prof
Computer Science at Kansas and AssamNet Co-founder)
The Chief Minster was in a state of bliss --- especially after the
negative reception he received at Boston conference where he was
only questioned about the annual flooding of Guwahati (he later
spoke of Global Warming which might lead initail floods by melting
of glaciers followed by drought - when no more glaciers). He said
that he is so pleased with these presentation which have a positive
note and aim to improve the situation of Assam.
Main Points of the engineering college presentation -- Orissa has
13,000 employed by Infosys for computer work -- even though has much
worse travel connection than Assam. Gautam Barua (IIT - G director)
was told by Infosys Chief (Nilekani is IIT batchmate of Gautam-da )
that Assam only produces 750 engg grads compared to 13,000 by Orissa
- and Infosys wants 80% of its employees to be local -atleast.
Second, Assam has 2.5% of India's population but only 0.2% of its
engineering colleges and only 0.17% of its engineering graduates. I
agreed with Jugal-da that engineering education might act as a
"pull" in improving basic education (at school level) .
Later during lunch Jugal-da, Partha-da and others were having
lively discussion with the CM. The CM had declared that his govt had
declared already that the year 2007 was the Year of Education and
passed a Bill (confirmed by his ADC later to me) to open privately
run engineering colleges etc. Jugal-da however, told me that he was
not able to lay hands on any such Bill being passed by Assam govt -
but may have been introduced.
I was within one feet of the CM and even made eye contact but I
conceded to the stalwarts waiting to talk to him - who could have
more immediate impact or synergy.
Partha-da in his very professional approach showed that it was
possible to have business outreach delegations to US -- since
backward states like Jharkhand and Uttranchal have been making
waves in US. Utpal-da Brahma (IIT, IIM and National Defense
Academy selected ) was of the opinion that first local Indian
companies need to be invited to Assam and based on their
performance MNCs would get attracted to invest (FDI) in Assam.
There are more than one way to skin a cat , however!!!!
Jugal-da and Partha-da rightly noted that NRAs have yet to get
involved with entrepreneurial ventures and thus, professional
education is the key to economic development of Assam -- a fact
whole heartedly agreed to by Assam Chief Minister.
He did say the Assam's economy was growing at 3% before his tenure
and now is at 6% and want it to go up to 8-9% to catch up with rest
of India - and negated my question (anonymous) that corruption was
on the rise otherwise how could current growth be possible.
(My comment - Indian embassy in DC has now opened doors for anyone
seeking corroption of any other info - under RTI - Right To Info Act)
Any comments?
Umesh
Umesh Sharma
Washington D.C.
1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
<http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html>http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html
(Edu info)
<http://hbswk.hbs.edu/> http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)
<http://www.gse.harvard.edu/iep>www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the
above 2 are used )
<http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/>http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive emailing. Find
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<http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/mail/uk/taglines/default/championships/games/*http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://mail.yahoo.net/uk/>Yahoo!
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