One of the
things I notice with Americans (not taking jobs that illegal Mexicans
do) is that they too are not willing to do menial jobs that a many
illegals do. One big reason often cited is that the jobs do not pay
well enough. But the illegals are willing to work for half or less for
the same job.
Further, of course, it is easier for Americans to find a better paying
job given some time.
This may not apply to the Assamese situation,
You are right.
>IMHO, the Assamese in general, have never had to work like illegal
>B'deshis because they simply did not have to. Human nature is such,
>that if there is a need, people will do what is required. Probably,
>there may still be some jobs available that pay better than pulling
>rickshaws, or the returns are betters for less labor.
but Ram, have you been to Lower Assam, specially Nalbari, Tihu.... etc. There I have seen assamese people doing all kinds of jobs and I admit that they are hardworking too, which I have mentioned in my earlier message. But in Upper Assam, the scenario is completely opposite. Specially in the villages, ther are hundreds of young people sitting idle running after politicians for a job as a teacher, at a monthly stipend of Rs.1000/-pm even by paying bribes to the tune of Rs.50,000/-. Instead, If atleast, they've tried their hands to grow the vegetables for their own consumption (forget about selling), they would have better off. In our home in my ancestoral village, they also buy vegetables just like us. Now some enterprising boys have started tea plantation in govt. lands and are earning good money. The scenario is changing. No doubt about that.
regards
Mridul Bhuyan
>From: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>CC: mridul bhuyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
>Subject: Re: [Assam] Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing - IANS
>Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 12:50:16 -0500
>
>Hi Mridul
>
> > I will give you a little time to go over your evidence, mull over it, and
> > see if you would like to make any corrections or amendments to your
> > judgement, before I explain things for you.
>
>I am sorry to pull you into this vortex of C'da's design. He is giving
>you enough rope so that you could hang yourself , inspite of he being
>from the same neck of the woods :-)
>
>Sorry C'da, just couldn't resist it. :-):-)
>
>But, seriously, Mridul, you do make some very good points. One of the
>things I notice with Americans (not taking jobs that illegal Mexicans
>do) is that they too are not willing to do menial jobs that a many
>illegals do. One big reason often cited is that the jobs do not pay
>well enough. But the illegals are willing to work for half or less for
>the same job.
>Further, of course, it is easier for Americans to find a better paying
>job given some time.
>This may not apply to the Assamese situation, but
>
>IMHO, the Assamese in general, have never had to work like illegal
>B'deshis because they simply did not have to. Human nature is such,
>that if there is a need, people will do what is required. Probably,
>there may still be some jobs available that pay better than pulling
>rickshaws, or the returns are betters for less labor.
>
>--Ram da.
>
>
>
>On 5/23/05, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Hi Mridul:
> >
> >
> > I will give you a little time to go over your evidence, mull over it, and
> > see if you would like to make any corrections or amendments to your
> > judgement, before I explain things for you.
> >
> > And if other netters want to pitch in too, they are welcome.
> >
> > c-da :-)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > At 5:54 PM +0530 5/23/05, mridul bhuyan wrote:
> > Dear Chan Da,
> > You can definitely take me on. :-). I will not mind. But am I wrong in
> > saying that Assamese people are the laziest of all? Let's take an example
> > from our part of Assam.
> > How many times in a year, our people indulge in farming? Only once in a
> > year. Does they try their hand on growing vegetables? Except some
> > vegetables, which doesn't require much labour, they'll never lay their hands
> > on even if they have enough land. In our part of Assam, each family (I am
> > talking about villages) has an average of two 'pura' of land. Do they
> > utilise their land fully, compared to Bihar, UP, Punjab & Haryana. In these
> > states of India, they do two or three crops simultaneously. In our part of
> > Assam, do they ever think of doing that inspite of being not so well off.
> > What's this that is preventing them from trying their hands inspite of
> > having all the resources in abundance? Even the weather God is also in
> > favour of them compared to other states.
> > Next one. Suppose an assamese youth is offered two jobs. One with a salary
> > of Rs.20,000/- in Delhi and another with Rs.10,000/- in Assam considering
> > all other conditions same. Which job will he take up? I bet he'll stay back
> > in Assam and content with it instead of venturing into Delhi. This is what I
> > have seen in case of some of my friends. They got good offers in Delhi.
> > Instead they preferrred to stay back in Assam. Why? What will you call them?
> > In our part of Assam have you ever seen a rickshaw puller or a barber or a
> > cobbler, who is an Assamese. Now the question can they handle such jobs?
> > Yes, they can. But, they'll never do it. May be its, their self-esteem,
> > laziness, whatever it may be.
> >
> > I'll tell you a personal story. My father is the middle one among the five
> > brothers. Out of the five, four are working outside and settled in some
> > other places. So, about ten 'pura' of land is owned by the second brother.
> > Now, he is no more in this world. He had only one son. Now, he is looking
> > after all this 'ten' pura of land. Being in Sibsagar, my father used to hire
> > some labourers also to help him during the crops. Now, with this plot of
> > land my grandfather used to generate enough money to cater to his family of
> > about 15/20 persons. But now his worthy grandson, can't even manage his
> > family of four with this plot of land. He too works very hard (?) from 7'o
> > clock in the morning till 10 o'clock in the morning. All the long three
> > hours in a single day. (I saw our uncles getting up at 3 o'clock in the
> > night and work till 11 o'clock and again in the eveing for 3/4 hours.) What
> > will you call him? He manages to find time to come to Sibsagar to enjoy
> > movies, but not enough time atleast to utilise the labourers, engaged to
> > help him.
> > These are very few examples, I have seen in my own family and friends. I'll
> > write about more if I can find some time. I am waiting to hear your part of
> > reasoning. :-)
> >
> > Regard
> > Mridul
> >
> >
> > >From: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >To: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, mridul bhuyan
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >CC: assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
> > >Subject: Re: [Assam] Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing - IANS
> > >Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 11:20:29 -0500
> > >
> > >>fact that Asssamese people are one of laziest of all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >The only reason I did not take Mridul on on this is because he is
> > >from my neck of the woods :-).
> > >
> > >I have beaten up enough of my own.
> > >
> > >>But if Mridul wants to take it on, I can and would certainly engage
> > >>him, or anybody else.
> > >
> > >
> > >Would you Mridul, like to explain how you came up with your
> > >conclusion that
> > >
> > >
> > >>"--that Asssamese people are one of laziest of all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam.
> > >
> > >
> > >?. Is it something that you concluded from your close personal
> > >observation, experiences, etc. etc.? I don't like to demand
> > >statistical data, but you are welcome to cite them if you choose to.
> > >
> > >And do you consider yourself an Assamese and thus lazy? If not how
> > >did you escape from this Assamese malady?
> > >
> > >c-da :-)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >At 10:44 AM -0500 5/21/05, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
> > >> > I think this is a challenge to the people of Assam how they
> > >>face it,
> > >> > considering the fact that Asssamese people are one of laziest
> > >>of all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam.
> > >>
> > >>Heh! heh! heh! Mridul, you have to be careful here. There are many
> > >>netters who are allergic to statements like this. Barua (Rajen
> > >>Barua)
> > >>tried this once or twice and was roundly beaten on the head by
> > >>some. I
> > >>think the word he uses is 'leketa' :-) :-)
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>I agree with you that this Manch movement in Dibrugarh should also
> > >>encourage the unemployed to fill in the gaps left by fleeing
> > >>B'deshis.
> > >>Ultimately, the work that these B'deshis were doing must be done -
> > >>pulling rickshaws, maid service, or as a brick layer. If no one is
> > >>willing to take up those jobs, then B'deshis or maybe Biharis will
> > >>come in again.
> > >>
> > >>This is a similar problem in the US , specially in Texas,
> > >>Califorinia,
> > >>Arizona. People don't want Mexican illegals to come in. But they
> > >>do,
> > >>inspite of all the money and advanced technology the US has, they
> > >>come
> > >>in by the millions.
> > >>
> > >>And why is that possible? The simple reason is Americans are
> > >>unwilling
> > >>( at those low wage rates) to take up jobs that illegals usually do
> > >>-
> > >>in argiculture, mowing the lawn, and a great number in home
> > >>building.
> > >>Home builders build, at a time 300-500 homes, and they can keep the
> > >>price of homes reasonable, only because they hire many illegals at
> > >>low
> > >>rates.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>On 5/21/05, mridul bhuyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> I think this is a challenge to the people of Assam how they face
> > >>>it,
> > >>> considering the fact that Asssamese people are one of laziest of
> > >>>all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam. I don't see any
> > >>>dearth of
> > >>> people to fill up these jobs, only if the people are willing.
> > >>>Regarding the
> > >>> largescale exodus, I don't think anybody is taking law in its
> > >>>own hand.
> > >>>
> > >>> "Just because they speak the Bengali language, practice a
> > >>>particular
> > >>> >religious faith, and resemble Bangladeshis, you cannot dub them
> > >>>as
> > >>> >foreigners," said Chandan Sarkar, a ruling Congress party
> > >>>legislator
> > >>> >in Assam.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Who are you Mr.Sarkar ? Where do you belong to? Abhayapuri?
> > >>>Really? The less
> > >>> you reply and less you say is better for you.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Mridul Bhuyan
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> >From: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >>> >Reply-To: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >>> >To: Assam <assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu>
> > >>> >Subject: [Assam] Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing - IANS
> > >>> >Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 09:27:30 -0500
> > >>>
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing in Assam:-
> > >>> >Guwahati | May 20, 2005 2:43:42 PM IST
> > >>> >
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Guwahati, May 20 : Until just the other day, streets across
> > >>>Assam were
> > >>> >crowded with cycle rickshaws and there was no dearth of workers
> > >>>for
> > >>> >construction companies and road contractors.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >But today commuters in many Assamese cities and towns are
> > >>>stranded
> > >>> >with rickshaw pullers doing the vanishing trick, while
> > >>>contractors
> > >>> >find their regular workforce virtually missing from their
> > >>>sites.
> > >> > >
> > >>> >The sudden disappearance of rickshaw pullers and other workers
> > >>>is a
> > >>> >direct fallout of the recent controversy in Assam over hounding
> > >>>of
> > >>> >illegal Bangladeshi migrants from the state.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"Until Wednesday we had up to a hundred workers, but all of
> > >>>sudden we
> > >>> >find that the entire workforce has simply vanished. We do not
> > >>>know
> > >>> >where they disappeared," said Mukul Das, a road contractor.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Thousands of Bengali speaking workers were engaged by local
> > >>> >contractors in brick kilns, road and building construction
> > >>>works. A
> > >>> >large number also pulled rickshaws.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >While some say these workers are illegal Bangladeshi migrants,
> > >>>others
> > >>> >dismiss such charges.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"Just because they speak the Bengali language, practice a
> > >>>particular
> > >>> >religious faith, and resemble Bangladeshis, you cannot dub them
> > >>>as
> > >>> >foreigners," said Chandan Sarkar, a ruling Congress party
> > >>>legislator
> > >>> >in Assam.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >During the past fortnight, thousands of Bengali speaking
> > >>>workers have
> > >>> >been fleeing several cities after an unidentified group began
> > >>> >distributing leaflets asking them to leave or face action.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >The group has been sending messages through mobile telephones
> > >>>and
> > >>> >distributing fliers asking locals not to employ "illegal
> > >>>foreigners".
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"I have met people who had fled their workplaces out of fear
> > >>>and
> > >>> >panic. But many of them that I met were genuine Indian citizens
> > >>>that I
> > >>> >had known since decades," another Congress party leader said.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >The issue has taken a political turn with the Assam government
> > >>> >accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rastriya
> > >>>Swayamsevak
> > >>> >Sangh (RSS) of trying to foment communal riots in the state.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >The issue assumes immense political ramifications in a state
> > >>>where
> > >>> >minority Muslim votes have always been the deciding factor in
> > >>>any
> > >>> >state elections. Muslims account for about 30 percent of
> > >>>Assam's 26
> > >>> >million people.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >With assembly elections scheduled for early next year, the
> > >>>Congress
> > >>> >party is trying its best to keep its traditional Muslim vote
> > >>>bank
> > >>> >intact by taking a strident posture on the issue.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"We do not want any foreigners in our state, but we cannot
> > >>>allow
> > >>> >anybody to take law in their hands to detect and deport illegal
> > >>> >Bangladeshis," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Assam shares a 272 km border with Bangladesh, a vast stretch
> > >>>remaining
> > >>> >unfenced with allegations that large-scale infiltration from
> > >>>across
> > >>> >the border was threatening the region's demographic profile.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Dhaka denies charges of illegal infiltration of their citizens
> > >>>into India.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >(IANS)
> > >>> >
> > >>> >_______________________________________________
> > >>> >Assam mailing list
> > >>> >Assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
> > >>> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Mailing list FAQ:
> > >>> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html
> > >>> >To unsubscribe or change options:
> > >>> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam
> > >>>
> > >>> ________________________________
> > >>> Are you job hunting? Get the best jobs on offer! Try Timesjobs
> > >>>now!
> > >>
> > >>_______________________________________________
> > >>Assam mailing list
> > >>Assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
> > >>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
> > >>
> > >>Mailing list FAQ:
> > >>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html
> > >>To unsubscribe or change options:
> > >>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam
> > >
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > Job hunting? Get the right one! Log on to www.timesjobs.com TODAY
> >
> >
>From: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>CC: mridul bhuyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
>Subject: Re: [Assam] Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing - IANS
>Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 12:50:16 -0500
>
>Hi Mridul
>
> > I will give you a little time to go over your evidence, mull over it, and
> > see if you would like to make any corrections or amendments to your
> > judgement, before I explain things for you.
>
>I am sorry to pull you into this vortex of C'da's design. He is giving
>you enough rope so that you could hang yourself , inspite of he being
>from the same neck of the woods :-)
>
>Sorry C'da, just couldn't resist it. :-):-)
>
>But, seriously, Mridul, you do make some very good points. One of the
>things I notice with Americans (not taking jobs that illegal Mexicans
>do) is that they too are not willing to do menial jobs that a many
>illegals do. One big reason often cited is that the jobs do not pay
>well enough. But the illegals are willing to work for half or less for
>the same job.
>Further, of course, it is easier for Americans to find a better paying
>job given some time.
>This may not apply to the Assamese situation, but
>
>IMHO, the Assamese in general, have never had to work like illegal
>B'deshis because they simply did not have to. Human nature is such,
>that if there is a need, people will do what is required. Probably,
>there may still be some jobs available that pay better than pulling
>rickshaws, or the returns are betters for less labor.
>
>--Ram da.
>
>
>
>On 5/23/05, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Hi Mridul:
> >
> >
> > I will give you a little time to go over your evidence, mull over it, and
> > see if you would like to make any corrections or amendments to your
> > judgement, before I explain things for you.
> >
> > And if other netters want to pitch in too, they are welcome.
> >
> > c-da :-)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > At 5:54 PM +0530 5/23/05, mridul bhuyan wrote:
> > Dear Chan Da,
> > You can definitely take me on. :-). I will not mind. But am I wrong in
> > saying that Assamese people are the laziest of all? Let's take an example
> > from our part of Assam.
> > How many times in a year, our people indulge in farming? Only once in a
> > year. Does they try their hand on growing vegetables? Except some
> > vegetables, which doesn't require much labour, they'll never lay their hands
> > on even if they have enough land. In our part of Assam, each family (I am
> > talking about villages) has an average of two 'pura' of land. Do they
> > utilise their land fully, compared to Bihar, UP, Punjab & Haryana. In these
> > states of India, they do two or three crops simultaneously. In our part of
> > Assam, do they ever think of doing that inspite of being not so well off.
> > What's this that is preventing them from trying their hands inspite of
> > having all the resources in abundance? Even the weather God is also in
> > favour of them compared to other states.
> > Next one. Suppose an assamese youth is offered two jobs. One with a salary
> > of Rs.20,000/- in Delhi and another with Rs.10,000/- in Assam considering
> > all other conditions same. Which job will he take up? I bet he'll stay back
> > in Assam and content with it instead of venturing into Delhi. This is what I
> > have seen in case of some of my friends. They got good offers in Delhi.
> > Instead they preferrred to stay back in Assam. Why? What will you call them?
> > In our part of Assam have you ever seen a rickshaw puller or a barber or a
> > cobbler, who is an Assamese. Now the question can they handle such jobs?
> > Yes, they can. But, they'll never do it. May be its, their self-esteem,
> > laziness, whatever it may be.
> >
> > I'll tell you a personal story. My father is the middle one among the five
> > brothers. Out of the five, four are working outside and settled in some
> > other places. So, about ten 'pura' of land is owned by the second brother.
> > Now, he is no more in this world. He had only one son. Now, he is looking
> > after all this 'ten' pura of land. Being in Sibsagar, my father used to hire
> > some labourers also to help him during the crops. Now, with this plot of
> > land my grandfather used to generate enough money to cater to his family of
> > about 15/20 persons. But now his worthy grandson, can't even manage his
> > family of four with this plot of land. He too works very hard (?) from 7'o
> > clock in the morning till 10 o'clock in the morning. All the long three
> > hours in a single day. (I saw our uncles getting up at 3 o'clock in the
> > night and work till 11 o'clock and again in the eveing for 3/4 hours.) What
> > will you call him? He manages to find time to come to Sibsagar to enjoy
> > movies, but not enough time atleast to utilise the labourers, engaged to
> > help him.
> > These are very few examples, I have seen in my own family and friends. I'll
> > write about more if I can find some time. I am waiting to hear your part of
> > reasoning. :-)
> >
> > Regard
> > Mridul
> >
> >
> > >From: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >To: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, mridul bhuyan
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >CC: assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
> > >Subject: Re: [Assam] Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing - IANS
> > >Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 11:20:29 -0500
> > >
> > >>fact that Asssamese people are one of laziest of all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >The only reason I did not take Mridul on on this is because he is
> > >from my neck of the woods :-).
> > >
> > >I have beaten up enough of my own.
> > >
> > >>But if Mridul wants to take it on, I can and would certainly engage
> > >>him, or anybody else.
> > >
> > >
> > >Would you Mridul, like to explain how you came up with your
> > >conclusion that
> > >
> > >
> > >>"--that Asssamese people are one of laziest of all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam.
> > >
> > >
> > >?. Is it something that you concluded from your close personal
> > >observation, experiences, etc. etc.? I don't like to demand
> > >statistical data, but you are welcome to cite them if you choose to.
> > >
> > >And do you consider yourself an Assamese and thus lazy? If not how
> > >did you escape from this Assamese malady?
> > >
> > >c-da :-)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >At 10:44 AM -0500 5/21/05, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
> > >> > I think this is a challenge to the people of Assam how they
> > >>face it,
> > >> > considering the fact that Asssamese people are one of laziest
> > >>of all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam.
> > >>
> > >>Heh! heh! heh! Mridul, you have to be careful here. There are many
> > >>netters who are allergic to statements like this. Barua (Rajen
> > >>Barua)
> > >>tried this once or twice and was roundly beaten on the head by
> > >>some. I
> > >>think the word he uses is 'leketa' :-) :-)
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>I agree with you that this Manch movement in Dibrugarh should also
> > >>encourage the unemployed to fill in the gaps left by fleeing
> > >>B'deshis.
> > >>Ultimately, the work that these B'deshis were doing must be done -
> > >>pulling rickshaws, maid service, or as a brick layer. If no one is
> > >>willing to take up those jobs, then B'deshis or maybe Biharis will
> > >>come in again.
> > >>
> > >>This is a similar problem in the US , specially in Texas,
> > >>Califorinia,
> > >>Arizona. People don't want Mexican illegals to come in. But they
> > >>do,
> > >>inspite of all the money and advanced technology the US has, they
> > >>come
> > >>in by the millions.
> > >>
> > >>And why is that possible? The simple reason is Americans are
> > >>unwilling
> > >>( at those low wage rates) to take up jobs that illegals usually do
> > >>-
> > >>in argiculture, mowing the lawn, and a great number in home
> > >>building.
> > >>Home builders build, at a time 300-500 homes, and they can keep the
> > >>price of homes reasonable, only because they hire many illegals at
> > >>low
> > >>rates.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>On 5/21/05, mridul bhuyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> I think this is a challenge to the people of Assam how they face
> > >>>it,
> > >>> considering the fact that Asssamese people are one of laziest of
> > >>>all in the
> > >>> country excepting some people from lower Assam. I don't see any
> > >>>dearth of
> > >>> people to fill up these jobs, only if the people are willing.
> > >>>Regarding the
> > >>> largescale exodus, I don't think anybody is taking law in its
> > >>>own hand.
> > >>>
> > >>> "Just because they speak the Bengali language, practice a
> > >>>particular
> > >>> >religious faith, and resemble Bangladeshis, you cannot dub them
> > >>>as
> > >>> >foreigners," said Chandan Sarkar, a ruling Congress party
> > >>>legislator
> > >>> >in Assam.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Who are you Mr.Sarkar ? Where do you belong to? Abhayapuri?
> > >>>Really? The less
> > >>> you reply and less you say is better for you.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Mridul Bhuyan
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> >From: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >>> >Reply-To: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > >>> >To: Assam <assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu>
> > >>> >Subject: [Assam] Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing - IANS
> > >>> >Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 09:27:30 -0500
> > >>>
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Rickshaw pullers, labourers go missing in Assam:-
> > >>> >Guwahati | May 20, 2005 2:43:42 PM IST
> > >>> >
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Guwahati, May 20 : Until just the other day, streets across
> > >>>Assam were
> > >>> >crowded with cycle rickshaws and there was no dearth of workers
> > >>>for
> > >>> >construction companies and road contractors.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >But today commuters in many Assamese cities and towns are
> > >>>stranded
> > >>> >with rickshaw pullers doing the vanishing trick, while
> > >>>contractors
> > >>> >find their regular workforce virtually missing from their
> > >>>sites.
> > >> > >
> > >>> >The sudden disappearance of rickshaw pullers and other workers
> > >>>is a
> > >>> >direct fallout of the recent controversy in Assam over hounding
> > >>>of
> > >>> >illegal Bangladeshi migrants from the state.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"Until Wednesday we had up to a hundred workers, but all of
> > >>>sudden we
> > >>> >find that the entire workforce has simply vanished. We do not
> > >>>know
> > >>> >where they disappeared," said Mukul Das, a road contractor.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Thousands of Bengali speaking workers were engaged by local
> > >>> >contractors in brick kilns, road and building construction
> > >>>works. A
> > >>> >large number also pulled rickshaws.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >While some say these workers are illegal Bangladeshi migrants,
> > >>>others
> > >>> >dismiss such charges.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"Just because they speak the Bengali language, practice a
> > >>>particular
> > >>> >religious faith, and resemble Bangladeshis, you cannot dub them
> > >>>as
> > >>> >foreigners," said Chandan Sarkar, a ruling Congress party
> > >>>legislator
> > >>> >in Assam.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >During the past fortnight, thousands of Bengali speaking
> > >>>workers have
> > >>> >been fleeing several cities after an unidentified group began
> > >>> >distributing leaflets asking them to leave or face action.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >The group has been sending messages through mobile telephones
> > >>>and
> > >>> >distributing fliers asking locals not to employ "illegal
> > >>>foreigners".
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"I have met people who had fled their workplaces out of fear
> > >>>and
> > >>> >panic. But many of them that I met were genuine Indian citizens
> > >>>that I
> > >>> >had known since decades," another Congress party leader said.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >The issue has taken a political turn with the Assam government
> > >>> >accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rastriya
> > >>>Swayamsevak
> > >>> >Sangh (RSS) of trying to foment communal riots in the state.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >The issue assumes immense political ramifications in a state
> > >>>where
> > >>> >minority Muslim votes have always been the deciding factor in
> > >>>any
> > >>> >state elections. Muslims account for about 30 percent of
> > >>>Assam's 26
> > >>> >million people.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >With assembly elections scheduled for early next year, the
> > >>>Congress
> > >>> >party is trying its best to keep its traditional Muslim vote
> > >>>bank
> > >>> >intact by taking a strident posture on the issue.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >"We do not want any foreigners in our state, but we cannot
> > >>>allow
> > >>> >anybody to take law in their hands to detect and deport illegal
> > >>> >Bangladeshis," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Assam shares a 272 km border with Bangladesh, a vast stretch
> > >>>remaining
> > >>> >unfenced with allegations that large-scale infiltration from
> > >>>across
> > >>> >the border was threatening the region's demographic profile.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Dhaka denies charges of illegal infiltration of their citizens
> > >>>into India.
> > >>> >
> > >>> >(IANS)
> > >>> >
> > >>> >_______________________________________________
> > >>> >Assam mailing list
> > >>> >Assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
> > >>> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
> > >>> >
> > >>> >Mailing list FAQ:
> > >>> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html
> > >>> >To unsubscribe or change options:
> > >>> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam
> > >>>
> > >>> ________________________________
> > >>> Are you job hunting? Get the best jobs on offer! Try Timesjobs
> > >>>now!
> > >>
> > >>_______________________________________________
> > >>Assam mailing list
> > >>Assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu
> > >>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
> > >>
> > >>Mailing list FAQ:
> > >>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html
> > >>To unsubscribe or change options:
> > >>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam
> > >
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > Job hunting? Get the right one! Log on to www.timesjobs.com TODAY
> >
> >
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