Ram:
At 11:35 AM -0600 8/14/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
C'da
>I did not say anything is WRONG with flag waving, did I Ram?
No, you did not, but the implications are strong.
*** Can you explain HOW you read that in my post? You attended St.
Xaviers' College and thus don't qualify to invoke the 'that damned
English language' defense :-).
How do you infer that I was telling Thakuria that his flag waving
pursuit is wrong? I am pretty straightforward about what I want to
say. I don't beat around the bush like a lot of other netters do. If
I had deemed it WRONG I would have said so, without hesitation,
because over the decades I have found that subtlety of language is
not a desi-strength. One needs to be blunt for it to register. And
that is why I take the trouble to explain everything in so many
words, like now :-).
But I must say this: YOU are belaboring the point, because you know
that you don't have a leg to stand on to challenge what I wrote.
This from your other post:
>What I have NO respect for is when flagwaving or absence
thereof >is used as a yardstick to judge somebody's patriotism.
Now, what could be wrong with that? Count on my support here. But
how did you deduce that Thakuria & others are NOT patriotic, and
that they just wave flags - and hence, by inference, not really
'intellectuals' (HG Wells et al!)?
**** You are mixing up different contexts. Stay to the subject if you
have any respect for objectivity. I posted the Flagwaving Blues to
explain my views about others' falg-waving, because you charged me
with telling Thakuria that it is wrong.
What is that role, C'da? Why can't the media cover a broad
spectrum - some supportive of your cause, >while others not?
*** Again let us remain in context. Did I somehow imply that the
Press need not perform other
functions ? While it is your prerogative to jump to conclusions of
your liking, to air the figments of your imaginations in this
fashion has its consequences. And I hope you know what they are :-).
For all the critisism of Desi Democracy, the media in India is pretty free.
*** And look how they are using that freedom. What they are
CONTRIBUTING . Or for that matter take a look at your own judgement
in what makes for useful or constructive contributions from the
press when you posted that infantile Op-Ed piece from the sentinel.
Good thing Kamal wrote in judgement of the piece instead of me.
Maybe there should be a Chinese style Democracy - then everything
would straighten out, and people >will soon be singing praises of
India.
*** Come on Ram. You can do whole lot better than that. Try it!
I think, C'da you might want to take off those rose-colored glasses
*** Sorry Ram. They are my original eyes that can see right thru the
obfuscations and spin. And they shall remain where they are :-).
Finally, why don't you tell us WHAT exactly is it that troubled you
so about what I suggested to Thakuria for being useful and
constructive for Assam in this context?
c-da
I think they are. I have often enjoyed DN B's columns. I think of
him as one of Assam's intellectuals. I would not doubt his
patriotism for Assam or India.
The fact that these intellectuals are sending out a mass appeal to
all the people in Assam, and urging them NOT to be afraid and
cowed-down and celebrate with the rest of the Nation, is very
laudable.
>Because that is the role of the press in a democracy.
What is that role, C'da? Why can't the media cover a broad
spectrum - some supportive of your cause, while others not?
Are those that support your views the ONLY ones on the right track?
Are they the only ones that are patriotic, true upholders of genuine
jouranlism etc etc?
For all the critisism of Desi Democracy, the media in India is
pretty free. That is why even near anti-national views are
tolerated, and are free to publish almost anything. Maybe there
should be a Chinese style Democracy - then everything would
straighten out, and people will soon be singing praises of India.:)
I think, C'da you might want to take off those rose-colored glasses :):)
--Ram
Further,
On 8/14/07, Chan Mahanta
<<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I did not say anything is WRONG with flag waving, did I Ram? However
most intellectually able people do not hold it in high esteem.
Anyone can do it. Just like wearing ones patriotism on one's
shirtsleeves. That is why thoughtful people also do not give any
importance to such demonstration, in fact some very well thought of
people have called the pursuit the 'first resort of a scoundrel' or
'the last refuge of a scoundrel'.
I merely explained that it is meaningless , without anything
constructive in it, as far as I am concerned. Like HG Wells said.
Why my opinion ? That is because Thakuria was kind enough to inform
me of their effort with the appeal, no doubt something they believe
is useful or constructive or beneficial for Assam.
See my post from 2002 on the topic I am forwarding next.
>Why? Is there a sudden dearth of supporters, that you would urge
Thakuria & Co. to carry water for such causes?
*** Why don't YOU take a wild guess? But considering the question I
guess that would not be all that useful, so allow me to help out:
Because that is the role of the press in a democracy.
But I realize, desi-demokrasy and the Assam press' role in it does
not necessarily reflect that.
c-da
At 9:34 AM -0600 8/14/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
C'da,
As this is a public forum, thought I would weigh in too.
I really do not see anything wrong with some people wanting to and
encouraging others to celebrate the Independence Day by hoisting the
National Flag.
It may irk some that there are many Assamese who actually want to
celebrate in such a fashion. That is understandible.
What is so wrong that some people are willing to celebrate as they
wish, instead of staying home for fear of violence? All they want to
do is peacefully celebrate the Independence that they cherish - but
of course, only if others will let them!
>It seems to me that a far more useful activity for those of you
who are able, would >be to analyze, inform and educate the people
about how such things as an >armed insurgency came about from
popular discontent brewing over decades in >Assam
Why? Is there a sudden dearth of supporters, that you would urge
Thakuria & Co. to carry water for such causes? And who decides what
activities are useful and which ones are not?
--Ram
I
On 8/14/07, Chan Mahanta
<<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Greetings Thakuria.
I hope you are carrying the torch of Oxomiya journalism high and
bright in the international field as Assam's representative.
Thanks for sharing the appeal. Even though I don't, as a rule,
indulge in 'flag-waving' of any kind and think of the pursuit in
the same vein as how HG Wells viewed 'patriotism': " A mere national
self-assertion, a sentimentality of flag cheering, with no
constructive duties", I felt I owed a response since you were kind
enough to send me a personal copy.
It seems to me that a far more useful activity for those of you who
are able, would be to analyze, inform and educate the people about
how such things as an armed insurgency came about from popular
discontent brewing over decades in Assam and has not subsided in
spite of tens of thousands of Assamese lives taken and given by and
to Indian military operations spanning a quarter century; what the
much touted 'democratic' governments, past and present have done (
or not done) to eradicate the causes of such discontent and how to
hold what you all present to the world, by default, as the
'legitimate' government accountable; offer achievable and
sustainable solutions instead of merely crying hoarse without
anything to contribute.
And if you are unable to that yourself, go seek out those who can
and make use of collective wisdom of the people who call Assam
home, and help giving it the exposure from which the people can
learn and act to change things for the better.
That would be something meaningful.
Best.
cm
At 6:22 AM +0000 8/12/07, Nava Thakuria wrote:
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
We, the undersigned urge the people of Assam to
celebrate the 60th anniversary of our Independence Day
on August 15 in a befitting manner ignoring the
threats that have come from certain quarters.
We believe that we, the people of the State have every
right to celebrate the Day, as we have inherited the
spirit of the freedom fighters who had made immense
sacrifices and a good number of whom, like Kushal
Konwar and Kanaklata, had even laid down their lives
to free the country from the clutches of colonial
rulers. The Independence Day this time has added
significance as it coincides with the birth centenary
celebrations of martyr Bhagat Singh.
We therefore, call upon the people of the State to
hoist the National Tricolour on the Day atop their
houses and also to organize community celebrations in
their respective localities.
On the Day, we will also hoist the National Flag on
the Guwahati Press Club campus at 11a.m. So, it's our
appeal to the people to join the programme and make it
a success.
Nirupama Borgohain,
Dhirendra Nath Bezboruah
Dhirendra Nath Chakravarty,
Sushanta Talukdar,
Bhupen Bargohain
Ajit Patowary
Rupam Baruah,
Nava Thakuria,
Ranen Kumar Goswami,
Hiten Mahanta
Ratna Bharali Talukdar
Sabita Lahkar
Girindra Kumar Karjee
Mukul Kalita
Dhanjit Kakoti
Pramod Kalita
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PROTECTED]/1307758_1301384/1307141/1?PARTNER=3&OAS_QUERY=null+target=new+>
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