Thanks Mridul, your comments are very helpful. > 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. I agree. I think all NRAs try to do that in some fashion or another. > I think you people constitute the top strata of Assamese intellectuals,> > there is no denying of this fact. Thanks for that vote of confidence. But do you think that some of us'know' this and so sermonize, maybe unknowingly? :-) But, seriously, many are just trying to do their small part, and indoing so are at times perceived as making comments over the top. > 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. That is a good idea. Some netters write 'letters to the editor' andthere have been some columns by NRAs over the years. >But, if you fight among yourself on trivial issues or take on eachother >>personally, trying to prove your intellectual superiority(which I have seen >taking >place in AssamNet quite a few times), theonlookers will not take it >in a good >taste. That they do (I mean quarrel on trivial issues). But most of the timeit is just friendly banter. And, I think, many of us are able toseparate 'quarrels' on the net from any personal friendship. >Besides, I think it'll be worthy to mention that creation of thesite >'Assam.org' is >a sincere & fruitful effort on your part. That I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks to the 'founding fathers' ofAssam.org. They have done a great job. Over the years, the net hasbecome a wonderful place for exchange of ideas, and information.Sometimes I am amazed at the issued discussed here. I once show ourdiscussion threads to a friend of mine, and was impressed at thelevel, and passion of the discussions. --Ram
On 6/2/05, mridul bhuyan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:> > > 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 inve! stment 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)> 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.> 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 eac! h 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: [A! ssam] 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 bu! siness 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> > ________________________________> Find e-mail and documents on your PC instantly with the new MSN Search> Toolbar–FREE! _______________________________________________ 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
