Dear Ram,
It's indeed a good question and a point of introspection. Eventhough it seems that some may not agree to my points, I'll try to be impartial.
Should NRAs/NRIs have an obligation or responsibility to criticize or
>advice, given that many are no longer vested in any developmental or
>political process? Most of us are not Lakshmi Mittals to invest back
>in the desh.
I feel in addition to obligation & responsibility, you have every right to criticise or advise the people of Assam on its way to progress. Investments may not be only in the form of money but in other forms such as guidance, motivation, pointing out the scope for further improvement & even lauding the performances. Further, its a duty on your part to contribute every which way you can towards the development of your motherland for making you the person you are. You owe it to your mother land.
Yes, many have homes (for investment property or for ultimate
>retirement) or send money to relatives, ( which are personal issues)
Yes, many have homes (for investment property or for ultimate
>retirement) or send money to relatives, ( which are personal issues)
This is also another way of contributing although its a personal issue, but the contribution of NRIs/NRAs is substantial.
>What do people in India/Assam think? Do they feel we ought not have
>any business telling them how to run things (even if things aren't
>right)
>any business telling them how to run things (even if things aren't
>right)
Then there is this other salvo: "Constructive Criticism". This term
>can actually be lobbed at anyone you don't think is on your side. Its
>easy to do, and really puts the other person on the defensive. Its a
>good means to deflect a discussion, but in realty, its difficult to
>find criticisms that are 'constructive' and palatable to all.
>can actually be lobbed at anyone you don't think is on your side. Its
>easy to do, and really puts the other person on the defensive. Its a
>good means to deflect a discussion, but in realty, its difficult to
>find criticisms that are 'constructive' and palatable to all.
I think you people constitute the top strata of Assamese intellectuals, there is no denying of this fact. Your brothers & sisters in Assam will always look upon you in the time of their distress. But, if you fight among yourself on trivial issues or take on each other personally, trying to prove your intellectual superiority (which I have seen taking place in AssamNet quite a few times), the onlookers will not take it in a good taste.
Further, as I have opined earlier, many of you may also contribute in the form of a regular column in the local newspapers of Assam, which I feel will serve your purpose in a more effective way. You can also guide the students/jobseekers from Assam, who are interested to go abroad to find a way out.
You'll always find people pelting stones at you, which doesn't in any way mean that you'll change course. Keep it up, you people are doing a good job. Try to engage more people residing in Assam. Besides, I think it'll be worthy to mention that creation of the site 'Assam.org' is a sincere & fruitful effort on your part.
Regards
Mridul
>From: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: Assam <[email protected]>
>Subject: [Assam] Do NRAs sermonize?
>Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2005 23:32:32 -0500
>
>NRAs/NRIs are often criticized for preaching or sermonizing how
>affairs ought to be conducted back home (Assam/India). While
>discussing this issue, with a good friend of mine, several things
>surfaced:
>
>Should NRAs/NRIs have an obligation or responsibility to criticize or
>advice, given that many are no longer vested in any developmental or
>political process? Most of us are not Lakshmi Mittals to invest back
>in the desh.
>
>Yes, many have homes (for investment property or for ultimate
>retirement) or send money to relatives, ( which are personal issues)
>but other than that, they have really left the country for good and in
>all probability will stay overseas permanently.
>
>Many of our discussions are based on second-hand information, so do we
>become Monday night quarterbacks or armchair philosophers?
>
>What do people in India/Assam think? Do they feel we ought not have
>any business telling them how to run things (even if things aren't
>right)
>
>On the flip side, why should we not have a say so in what is happening
> back home? Aren't we at least contributing ideas (if any)?
>
>Reminds me of Naipaul, who thought (well before his first visit to
>India) that he would be welcomed with open arms and a red carpet
>thrown. But he was really disappointed when no one really cared where
>he came from.
>He also goes into this invisible thread that made him want to visit
>India , even though he was the first to do so after several
>generations. Interestingly, many West Indians identify themselves as
>'originally from India" (or Indian immigrants)even though only their
>forefathers were the immigrants, and the present generation have very
>little to do with India.
>
>Then there is this other salvo: "Constructive Criticism". This term
>can actually be lobbed at anyone you don't think is on your side. Its
>easy to do, and really puts the other person on the defensive. Its a
>good means to deflect a discussion, but in realty, its difficult to
>find criticisms that are 'constructive' and palatable to all.
>
>What do netters think? What do you think Mridul, from the vantage
>point you have from Delhi?
>
>--Ram
>
>_______________________________________________
>Assam mailing list
>[email protected]
>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
>
>Mailing list FAQ:
>http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html
>To unsubscribe or change options:
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>retirement) or send money to relatives, ( which are personal issues)
>but other than that, they have really left the country for good and in
>all probability will stay overseas permanently.
>
>Many of our discussions are based on second-hand information, so do we
>become Monday night quarterbacks or armchair philosophers?
>
>What do people in India/Assam think? Do they feel we ought not have
>any business telling them how to run things (even if things aren't
>right)
>
>On the flip side, why should we not have a say so in what is happening
> back home? Aren't we at least contributing ideas (if any)?
>
>Reminds me of Naipaul, who thought (well before his first visit to
>India) that he would be welcomed with open arms and a red carpet
>thrown. But he was really disappointed when no one really cared where
>he came from.
>He also goes into this invisible thread that made him want to visit
>India , even though he was the first to do so after several
>generations. Interestingly, many West Indians identify themselves as
>'originally from India" (or Indian immigrants)even though only their
>forefathers were the immigrants, and the present generation have very
>little to do with India.
>
>Then there is this other salvo: "Constructive Criticism". This term
>can actually be lobbed at anyone you don't think is on your side. Its
>easy to do, and really puts the other person on the defensive. Its a
>good means to deflect a discussion, but in realty, its difficult to
>find criticisms that are 'constructive' and palatable to all.
>
>What do netters think? What do you think Mridul, from the vantage
>point you have from Delhi?
>
>--Ram
>
>_______________________________________________
>Assam mailing list
>[email protected]
>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
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