Re: [Assam] [SupportAChild-Assam] Re: [NorthEastIndia] INVITATION FROM AGP SOCIAL MEDIA FORUM
Fully agree with Ankur. If Prafulla Mahanta and his cabinet colleagues have betrayed the people of Assam, should the new leadership forget about Assam Accord and Illegal Migrants issue? I had recently visited the porous border; it will have to be sealedBidyananda BarkakotyGuwahatiCell : 9435046211 On Wednesday, 17 December 2014 3:16 AM, Ankur Bora ankur_bora2...@yahoo.com [NorthEastIndia] northeastindia-nore...@yahoogroups.com wrote: The adverse response to the invitation email is understandable,the political leadership of AGP failed not only to implement but also to raisethe constitutional validity of the accord in national stage.The question is – should the failure of one sectionof leadership supersede all others? Are we saying – since they failed , let’sforget about it all ? No it can’t be –We sacrificed so much , during the six years old agitation , I myself ( likemany others) lost one year of schooling , my uncle ( ‘mama’ ) who wasknown as one of the most sincere , honest administrator had to go through the ignominy of ‘suspension’ because of his supportto the movement. If we declare a closure , it would betray our children andfuture generations. Even after 29 years of Assam accord , most of thepeople have no idea what the accord stands for. Clause 6 of the Accord providedfor giving constitutional safeguard to the indigenous people of Assam while clause7 of the Accord said that the Government of India would take steps for the allround economic development of Assam. These are vital aspects , we have Constitution of India in our supportwhich is supreme. In USA , I have seen , how the rights of native red Indiangetting protection , the local law of the land supersedes the federal law – since it is defined in the Constitutionof America. Can’t we have next generation of leaders , parliamentarians who canput forth the cause of Assam in the national forum ? and that is why theseminar organized Seminar organised by AGP Social Media Forum is so important , I feelAs mentioned earlier , the sentiments echoed by themembers are expected , at the same time , we shouldn't lose sight of somethingelse. Let’s be optimist , positive and hopethat the next generation of leaders will be successful in espousing the causeof Assam.ThanksAnkur On Tuesday, December 16, 2014 3:33 PM, Vavani Sarmah vav...@yahoo.com [SupportAChild-Assam] supportachild-as...@yahoogroups.com wrote: Yes, it's like beating a dead horse. Assam accord is out dated. Deporting legal or illegal immigrants are simply not possible and impractical. Even if slightly consider humanitarian aspect of it - these poor people are living in those chars so miserably without having the basic needs. Children, women are dying everyday, women delivering babies in open sky... Yes, it time to decide and take right course of action to meet the future need and no point evaluating defeat or win. It's a good lesson from AASU to AGP in last so many years. Now, many of them are taking political advantage out of it and trying again. What a pathetic situation and human we areI would say, AGP has lost morale right to discuss about this issue any more. Vavani Sarmah From: Shantikam Hazarika shntikam...@yahoo.co.uk [NorthEastIndia] northeastindia-nore...@yahoogroups.com To: Hitesh Kalita hitesh.kal...@gmail.com; Dr. Aroop J. Kalita aroo...@yahoo.com Cc: assamfoundati...@yahoogroups.com assamfoundati...@yahoogroups.com; Looitporia looitpo...@yahoogroups.com; North East northeastin...@yahoogroups.com; Friendsof Assam NE friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com; Support A. Child supportachild-as...@yahoogroups.com; Assam Bangalore assam_in_bangal...@yahoogroups.com; Rini Kakati rinikak...@hotmail.com; Aana aanaonl...@yahoogroups.com; Ankur Bora ankurb...@hotmail.com Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2014 9:40 AM Subject: [NorthEastIndia] INVITATION FROM AGP SOCIAL MEDIA FORUM As such, to discuss after 28 years whether the Assam Accord was faulty or improperly implemented is like flogging a dead horse. I do not know what useful purpose will be served by the seminar, except giving the usual seminarists to regurgitate the same old/ the usual platitudes. Let us admit, the Bangladeshi problem has defeated us. Now what is the road ahead is the question we should ask and decide on.Shantikam Hazarika From: Hitesh Kalita hitesh.kal...@gmail.com [NorthEastIndia] northeastindia-nore...@yahoogroups.com That should have done that time. The time has changed. They cant fool people anymore. If they want to survive, have them change the leadership and discuss about NE development. On Sat, Dec 13, 2014 at 11:30 PM, Dr. Aroop J. Kalita aroo...@yahoo.com wrote: That is the big question. What was in that accord that prevented them from doing so ? And why could not others also do anything in the rest of the 20 years post 1985 ? Lets see what answers we get , particularly from the
Re: [Assam] FASS GENERAL BODY MEETING
Mr. Neiphiu Rio’s Speech at NDA Parliamentary Meeting on 20th May 2014 (Tuesday) in New Delhi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UejZGmXgBQU Mr. Rio is a Member of Parliament (MP) from Nagaland and was/is Chief Minister of Nagaland for three consecutive terms. Mr. Rio may be inducted into Mr. Modi’s Council of Ministers. Mr. Rio will be of help in taking forward Ike’s proposal. Bidyananda Barkakoty Guwahati Cell : 9435046211 On Fri, May 2, 2014 at 9:17 PM, Madan Bezbaruah mpbezbar...@yahoo.co.in wrote: I was delighted to read the proposal from Ike. As you know I chair a committee on NE ( the work was suspended when the Code of Conduct came into operation) to look onto the concerns of people from NE in the Metros. As part of our tentative recommendations I was thinking of such a centre. We had a little wider view -- wanted the centre to be 'one stop' centre for grievances, counselling, orientation for people coming for the first time to the metro about 'do's and dont's', spoken hindi classes etc. Any suggestions is welcome. It will be very helpful if a proper proposal could be sent to me so that I can make it a part of our report after consulting the other members. If it comes in the name of an organisation--like FASS- it will be even better. Can you also suggest a good name for the centre-- instead of the bland centre, complex etc?-- a name that symbolises the NE spirit. Madan Bezbaruah On Fri, Apr 25, 2014 at 10:35 AM, Ike Sinha ikesinha_i...@hotmail.com wrote: Dear Mr. Rajen Barua, Greetings from India. I have received your mail and that FASS is having its General Annual Meeting on Sunday April 27 ,2014 in Houston. Everyone seems to be sending complimentary words and good wishes. But I am writing to give you a proper idea and a commitment from all NE living abroad and FASS members all over the world to come together and if you are really serious to promote the interest of North East states ,it is suggested that you plan to have NORTH EAST STATES CENTER OF EXCELLENCE at New Delhi. The nation soon will have a new government by 16 May 2014. The country needs a change. The nation have not yet understood the potential of NE States ,its resources and how it could involve in nation building. We are surrounded by foreign countries all around and connected with mainland India just by 22 km. All such good brains have moved to greener pastures. So now it is time to do reverse investment and make all NE States progressive and developed state. POINTS TO BE NOTED 1. Government of India has a Ministry of DONER to look into the interests of the NE people of all 8 NE States. 2. As an organization ,FASS to make sure that Government land to be allotted at New Delhi and create a complex to be called NORTH EAST STATES CENTER OF EXCELLENCE 3. Make all MP's who will get selected to come together irrespective of party lines to ask the Government of the day to allot such land.They will all be taken as members but they have to work for their people in their constituencies. 4. The complex to have independent state pavilion who would sell products of their states on daily basis. 5. All handicraft /handloom products. 6. Convert this place as a Cultural Center with at least two or three restaurants providing both the food of the NE and also other Indian /continental food . Employ only people from the NE States. 7. All NE people become members and they must have a Membership number. 8. Have a state of the art auditorium. Hire it out when the state functions not held. 9. Invite all foreign delegation who visit India ,to come to this Center and to know more about the NE States. 10. Have a Conference room,library with all authors from the respective states to be able to display their product. 11. Let it be a Tourist place for all foreigners to be able to see all the NE States under one roof. 12. Let this Center be the doorway to the NE States. 13. Create Travel Facility and Information Center. 14. Create atmosphere for Exports for all NE products,for eg: Tea,Bamboo,Cane,Handicraft,Hand loom products,herbal products,organic food,Film release,book release ,fashion show of designers from NE.You hire out the place to other designers for their event and that money goes into the upkeep and maintenance of the Center. 15. The allotment of land must be negotiated with Chairman,NDMC so that the site must be centrally located. 16.All state events to be showcased here. 17. Let this place be vibrant and an everyday event place. In fact ,I had taken 1 year to prepare this project few years ago.I have discussed this subject with Mr. Mukundakam Sharma when he was President,Assam Association but he could not take any initiative. The project is ready already with me.It was my dream to show the potential of NE people and their creative talents which is a great resource not yet tapped properly by any Government.If allowed to begin this venture at New Delhi,in less than 6 months,we can employ 40 thousand people,5000 per state. This is my
Re: [Assam] [NorthEastIndia] Thanks to Jeevan magazine for selecting me in the list of ‘Special 10 of the Year’ [2 Attachments]
Thank you to JEEVAN for selecting a deserving person like Buljit Buragohain. Bidyananda Barkakoty Chairman, North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) Cell : 9435046211. --- On Mon, 20/2/12, Buljit Buragohain buluas...@yahoo.co.in wrote: From: Buljit Buragohain buluas...@yahoo.co.in Subject: [NorthEastIndia] Thanks to Jeevan magazine for selecting me in the list of ‘Special 10 of the Year’ [2 Attachments] To: assam@assamnet.org assam@assamnet.org, friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com, northeastin...@yahoogroups.com northeastin...@yahoogroups.com, silc...@yahoogroups.com silc...@yahoogroups.com, axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com, assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com Cc: Jeevan jeevan.initiat...@gmail.com Date: Monday, 20 February, 2012, 5:32 PM [Attachment(s) from Buljit Buragohain included below] Thanks to 'Jeevan' (http://www.facebook.com/ JeevanInitiative) for selecting me in the list of 'Special 10 of the Year'. Buljit Buragohain .. .. .. . Jeevan magazine list of ‘Special 10 of the Year’: •Birobala Rabha, fighting against witchcraft and saved life of about 35 victim women. •Karunadhara, a social support movement for the differently-abled. •Dr. Aparajita Gogoi, leading a national coordination for safe motherhood. •Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati, the newly appointed India's High Commissioner to UK. •Prantik, three decades of social thought process. •Dr. M Firoz Ahmed, wildlife biologist and conservationist. •Dr. Buljit Buragohain Himjyoti Talukdar, Assam’s envoys in the Internet world. •Laila Hilali-Xile Xile, the fusion song of a ethnic tune and old melody. •Jatadhari, Prarthana Saikia's political fantasy redefining Assamese literature. •Ramdhenu, which sparkled signs of industry in Assamese cinema. .. .. ... ‘Special 10 of the Year’ for 2011. (The Assam Tribune ,20.02.2012)) http://www.assamtribune.com/ scripts/showpage.asp?id= feb2012,5,918,651,495,543 News from Dainik Asam (20.02.2012) : http://www.assamtribune.com/ scripts/displaypage.asp?id= feb2012,3,420,1107,663,4 __._,_.___ Attachment(s) from Buljit Buragohain 2 of 2 Photo(s) The Assam Tribune (20.02.2012).JPG Dainik Asam (20.02.2012).JPG Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use . __,_._,___ ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] The media of Assam deserves a round of applause
The media of Assam deserves a round of applause from the people of Assam for the wonderful role they have played in the last few days as a mark of respect to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The round-the-clock coverage by the media houses and the immense hard work of the media persons is unprecedented. This tribute paid by the media houses reflects the love and respect showered by the people of Assam on this great cultural icon. The half-holiday observed by the tea industry to pay homage to legendary Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is also unprecedented. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was a global citizen. It is now our responsibility to take forward the legacy of Bhupen da and keep his memory and works green and fresh forever all over the world. We urge the Govt. of India to confer Bharat Ratna to Late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, an illustrious son of the soil. Bidyananda Barkakoty Chairman, North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Third party role in The Tech Awards 2011 by The Tech Museum
Third party role in The Tech Awards 2011 by The Tech Museum The controversy over the Tech Award to Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarmah of CRD, Guwahati took a new turn after a press release by Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA). AFNA has mentioned that: i) it has submitted the application for this award. ii). as part of the application process, AFNA submitted detailed information about the contributions of all stakeholders in the Rickshaw Bank project, including those of CRD and IIT Guwahati. Now going by the statement of AFNA, the questions that arise are: i) Who authorized AFNA to apply for this award without prior permission from the stakeholders (AFNA has never discussed this with Project Investigator and Designer of the Dipbahan, Dr. Amarendra Kumar Das)? ii) Was it that AFNA only nominated Rickshaw bank? iii) Why AFNA and CRD will attend the award function and why not IIT Guwahati? iv) In whose account is the award money going to be deposited (in case it is announced at the award function)? It has been pointed out that AFNA applied for the award and it is logical that they will receive the amount and then they will pass it on to whom - Dr. Pradip Sarmah or CRD or AFNA coffers? AFNA needs to justify its action, because nobody can claim awards like this on other stakeholder’s behalf, without prior permission. Is this acceptable in today’s knowledge driven economy? The press release by AFNA looks like a damage control measure (or shall we say face saving measure?) taken by AFNA. If readers are keenly following the whole episode, one can see that AFNA still did not touch Dr. A. K. Das’s main allegation of PLAGIARISM. CRD and its executive director have received several awards based on plagiarism. CRD claims that the Rickshaw Bank concept was innovated by them. However this concept was practiced much earlier in the year 1994-95 when Rastriya Gramin Vikash Nidhi (RGVN) sanctioned this project to the Bastar Sevak Mandal, Madhya Pradesh. Please go through the pdf attachment regarding the project of the Bastar Sevak Mandal. AFNA themselves should inform about this plagiarism to The Tech Museum so that we can be sure that AFNA is not in league with this plagiarism. AFNA, instead of initiating face saving measure like telling the world now that they gave credit to Dr. Das and IIT Guwahati, should take corrective measures so that the guilty get their due share of blame and the one who deserves due honor gets it, otherwise this will bring disgrace to Assam and Assamese Community. AFNA has mentioned that CRD has made some changes in the original design but question arises whether CRD has taken permission from IIT Guwahati for such changes and whether by making some changes they have compromised with the quality and passenger safety. I have seen many rickshaws on the roads of Guwahati which have been manufactured by some local manufacturer other than CRD, so can they too claim to be the innovator because they have made certain changes? Dipbahan tricycle rickshaw designed by Dr. Amarendra Kr. Das and supported by the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, is excellently designed for passengers’ benefit like space, safety, comfort etc., which only a professionally trained designer like Dr. A.K. Das can conceptualize and deliver. When the whole success of DIPBAHAN is to be attributed to the design, leaving Dr. Amarendra Kr. Das and IIT Guwahati out of this award is nothing short of treachery and we must play our role that “if we cannot do any good for the society, let us not harm it”. Action of AFNA/CRD will have a big effect on de-motivating people like Dr. Das and his colleagues in IIT Guwahati. Bidyananda Barkakoty Guwahati From: Buljit Buragohain buluas...@yahoo.co.in To: assamonl...@yahoogroups.com assamonl...@yahoogroups.com Cc: assam@assamnet.org assam@assamnet.org; friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com; northeastin...@yahoogroups.com northeastin...@yahoogroups.com; silc...@yahoogroups.com silc...@yahoogroups.com; axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com; assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com; Amarendra Kumar Das da...@iitg.ernet.in Sent: Sunday, 9 October 2011 8:21 PM Subject: [NorthEastIndia] AFNA : Rickshaw Bank receives prestigious international economic development award CANTON, MICHIGAN, USA, Oct 8 2011 - Rickshaw Bank, a project of the Centre for Rural Development (CRD), has been named as a laureate of the Flextronics Economic Development Award this year. The award will be presented later this month in Santa Clara, California, USA. The Flextronics Economic Development Award is a part of the Tech Awards, named after the prestigious Tech Museum in Silicon Valley, California. The awards are in five categories - Environment, Economic Development, Education, Equality, and Health. Each category has multiple laureates and one laureate
[Assam] Innovator alleges bogus claims over Dipbahan design
THE ASSAM TRIBUNE : 9 OCT. 2011 : FRONT PAGE Innovator alleges bogus claims over Dipbahan design Staff Reporter GUWAHATI, Oct 8 – The issue of The Tech Awards received by the Dipbahan cycle rickshaw recently took a new turn today with the innovator of the vehicle Dr Amarendra Kumar Das of the Design Department of IIT, Guwahati, alleging that the award was manipulated by some persons through fake claims. It needs mention here that The Tech Museum, USA recently named the Rickshaw Bank of the city-based Centre for Rural Development (CRD) as the laureate of The Tech Awards 2011 for the Dipbahan cycle rickshaw. The Tech Museum said, the technology used in this vehicle has benefited the humanity and has the power to spark global change. The CRD has been claiming that its executive director Dr Pradip Kumar Sarma has been named for the award. But Dr Das claimed at a press conference here today that he himself had developed the design and technology of the Dipbahan cycle rickshaw. One model of the vehicle was given free of any fees to the CRD for manufacturing as a part of the corporate social responsibility of IIT, Guwahati. The arrangement was such that the CRD would be acknowledging the contribution of IIT, Guwahati. But it has been noticed that the CRD and its executive director Dr Pradip Sarma have been claiming the concept of the design of this vehicle as their own. Based on such bogus claims, the CRD and its executive director have been receiving several awards. They have also been claiming that the concept of the rickshaw bank has also been evolved by them. But, the concept of the rickshaw bank was evolved way back in 1994-95 by The Bastar Sevak Mandal of Lalbagh village in Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. The Rastriya Gramin Vikash Nidhi (RGVN) had sanctioned a project to this organisation and granted it funds for income generation activities through cycle rickshaw. Dr Das said that the rickshaw bank, which has been named for the award is virtually a non-entity. The entire episode has been stage-managed by some people in the Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA), in league with Dr Sarma, Dr Das alleged. -- CRD clarifies stand Staff Reporter GUWAHATI, Oct 8 – Reacting to the assertions made by Dr Amarendra Kumar Das on the Tech Award to Rickshaw Bank, CRD chief Dr Pradip Sarma told this newspaper that his organisation has always been acknowledging the fact that the design of the Dipbahan cycle rickshaw belongs to IIT, Guwahati. The Rickshaw Bank, which is the flagship programme of the CRD, has been named for the Tech Award not for the design of its rickshaw, but for the technology for humanity under the category of Flextronics economic development. This has been clearly mentioned in the website of the Tech Museum, claimed Dr Sarma. He also maintained that the cash award under the categories of the Tech Award would be declared only on October 22. Hence any assumption of the Rickshaw Bank being rewarded by the Tech Museum authorities with any cash amount is premature at this point of time, he said. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] [NorthEastIndia] Objection against Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarma being named as laureate of the Tech Awards 2011
Thank you Pratul for bringing the facts to the notice of our netters. I fully agree with Pratul Kalita. We are in the process of doing a project with IITG Design Dept. on Mechanisation of tea garden plucking and pruning activities. Bidyananda Barkakoty Chairman, North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) Cell : 9435046211 --- On Sun, 18/9/11, Pratul Kalita pratul_kal...@yahoo.co.in wrote: From: Pratul Kalita pratul_kal...@yahoo.co.in Subject: [NorthEastIndia] Objection against Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarma being named as laureate of the Tech Awards 2011 To: supportachild-as...@yahoogroups.com, friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com Cc: assam org assam@assamnet.org, North East northeastin...@yahoogroups.com, A.K. Das da...@iitg.ernet.in Date: Sunday, 18 September, 2011, 9:20 PM Dear friends, It has come to our notice from the local media that Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarma has been named as laureate of the Tech Awards 2011. We would like to inform you that the Rickshaw Bank is just an annex of the actual project named “ Dipbahan”. The extensive research project of integrated design of the tricycle rickshaw was carried out by Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das of Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. At present Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das is the Head of the Department of Design at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. The new tricycle Rickshaw branded as Dipbahan is his design creation and as a matter of the fact he got his PhD from IITG on his Dipbahan project. The idea of integration of micro finance services with the product (rickshaw) is inbuilt in the project Dipbahan initiative. Apart from providing microfinance to the rickshaw puller, there are various other services associated with the product. All the services were included in the project Dipbahan initiative. Therefore Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das calls it an “integrated design”. Prof. Das has received the award of excellence from the Institute of Urban Transport India on behalf of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati for his Dipbahan project.(http://www.iutindia.org/urban2008.php). Several research papers have been presented in reputed national and international conferences and symposiums on this issue. This is one of the most prestigious projects of Department of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. Centre for Rural Development is just one of those NGOs who was helping in the implementation the Dipbahan initiative. Here it is worth mentioning that microfinance models like Rickshaw Bank for the cycle rickshaws were tried several times before. But these models resulted in failures. It is the new integrated design of the rickshaw, designed by Prof. Das that had come out as a result of extensive consumer behavior study and hardcore design research, that has transformed the lives of rickshaw pullers in particular and people in general. Here we would like to inform you that Department of Design is selling Dipbahan rickshaws since its inception and more than 15000 Dipbahan rickshaws were sold through the Department of Design IIT Guwahati in the last two years. The Government of Assam, the Government of Tripura and the Government of West Bengal had been very encouraging in taking the project forward. We do appreciate the contribution of the NGOs like Centre for Rural Development in implementing the project but the act of claiming it to be their initiative is not acceptable. Here it is worth mentioning that the brand “Dipbahan” has been derived from Prof. Das’s nick name “Dipan” and “Bahan” means vehicle in Assamese, Hindi and Sanskrit. It has been observed that Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarma changed the spelling of Dipbahan to Deepbahan in some of the rickshaws. Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das being an academician did not intervene the manipulating activities of Dr. Pradip Kumar Sarma, keeping in mind the grater social responsibility. But for us, now it appears to be plagiarism. The information regarding the Dipbahan project is available in the internet. It is quite surprising to us, being reputed organization like Tech Awards, why it was not being properly investigated from their end before conferment of the award? Dr. Pradip Kumar Sharma was a colleague of Prof. AK Das, when he served as consultant at Rastriya Gramin Vikash Nidhi (RGVN) in Guwahati during 1989-91, a NGO promoted by various banks in India for funding development activities. Thus his acquaintance with Dr. Pradip Kumar Sharma is more than two decades. When new rickshaw was released, most of the news item highlighted the achievement of IIT Guwahati and its innovator, Prof. A.K. Das. Dr. Pradip Kumar Sharma always seeking media attention was disappointed and stopped acknowledging Dr. Das as innovator. He tried not to mention even IIT Guwahati, and removed the name Dipbahan being painted at the back of the tricycle rickshaws but this backfired and beneficiaries stopped taking these and rickshaw bank could resume the operation only after they started
Re: [Assam] Congratulations
Respected Shantikam da,
Thank you very much for your encouraging words. You are a role model for many
of us.
Regards,
Bidyananda
--- On Sun, 14/8/11, shantikam hazarika shntikam...@hotmail.com wrote:
From: shantikam hazarika shntikam...@hotmail.com
Subject: Congratulations
To: FASS FASS friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com, Assam net
assam@assamnet.org, assamonl...@yahoogroups.com,
northeastin...@yahoogroups.com, silc...@yahoogroups.com,
axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com, assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Babul Barkakoty barkak...@yahoo.co.in
Date: Sunday, 14 August, 2011, 9:48 PM
Heartiest congratulations, Mr. Barkakati.
I would like you to now effectively lead the Tea Industry from the front.
I doubt there is anyone else who can do this. So you must take it as a
challenge.
Shantikam Hazarika
To: assam@assamnet.org; assamonl...@yahoogroups.com;
friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com; northeastin...@yahoogroups.com;
silc...@yahoogroups.com; axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com;
assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com
CC: barkak...@yahoo.co.in
From: buluas...@yahoo.co.in
Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2011 07:18:39 +0530
Subject: [FriendsofAssamNE] Barkakoty re-elected NETA Chairman (PTI).
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Barkakoty re-elected NETA Chairman
PTI | 05:08 PM,Aug 06,2011
Guwahati, Aug 6 (PTI) The incumbent
Chairman of North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) Bidyananda Barkakoty has been
re-elected
for the second time for the term 2011-13. Barkakoty successfully completed his
first tenure 2009-11 and members of the association unanimously elected him for
a second term, according to a press release issued by NETA. A Mechanical
Engineer by qualification, Barkakoty belongs to a tea planter's family which
has been in the industry continuously for five generations. Barkakoty co-owns
Nandapur and Mahalaxmi Tea Estates alongwith his father. D P Khetan of Lengree
Tea Estate has been reelected as the Vice-Chairman of the Association for the
same term.
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[Assam] An Assamese in Guinness Book of World Records
GREAT NEWS TO SHARE Bidyananda Barkakoty Guwahati Cell : +91-9435046211 --- On Sun, 10/7/11, Apuraj Barooah rajapubaro...@rediffmail.com wrote: From: Apuraj Barooah rajapubaro...@rediffmail.com Subject: To: barkak...@yahoo.co.in, Date: Sunday, 10 July, 2011, 2:48 PM Hi Hello, Mr.Jack Brockbank,adjudicator of Guinness World Record,London declared me as the World Record Holder for Longest Scratch Art on 9/7/11 at 11 am(GMT) in London. I drew two scratch art pieces, one of 20 inches X 200 metres with 100 portraits of famous persons the other one 1.4 metre X 20.3 metre (this art work is done in just 12 hours)with folk dances of 40 countries starting with an Assamese Bihu Dance then the Indian Bhangra. The Other countries it includes are UK (Morris Dance), Italy, France, Australia, China, Sri Lanka, Peru, USA, Russia, Japan, Germany others. The art piece with dance has been accepted for the record as the other one miss it because of its width (thier guide lines requires minimum 1 metre of width,mine one was of 20 inch only. Thank you. Yours Apuraj 07425199321 Treat yourself at a restaurant, spa, resort and much more with Rediff Deal ho jaye! ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] An Assamese in Guinness Book of World Records
GOOD NEWS TO SHARE. Bidyananda Barkakoty Guwahati Cell : +91-9435046211 --- On Sun, 10/7/11, Apuraj Barooah rajapubaro...@rediffmail.com wrote: From: Apuraj Barooah rajapubaro...@rediffmail.com Subject: To: anip...@yahoo.co.in, amalgoswami...@gmail.com, atul@gmail.com, barkak...@yahoo.co.in, darshana.gosw...@yahoo.com, debupam.hazar...@gmail.com, duttakausha...@gmail.com, jitulkrgo...@gmail.com, jyotirmoy.hazar...@gmail.com, lakhimi.chutiago...@gmail.com, mailme_anantanat...@rediffmail.com, manjoriborkot...@gmail.com, mrinalda...@gmail.com, pankajkejri...@hotmail.com, pankajkrdu...@yahoo.co.in, pronib...@gmail.com, r...@assamtribune.com, saikiaaditya...@gmail.com, san...@ndtv.com, sudarshinin...@ymail.com Date: Sunday, 10 July, 2011, 2:48 PM Hi Hello, Mr.Jack Brockbank,adjudicator of Guinness World Record,London declared me as the World Record Holder for Longest Scratch Art on 9/7/11 at 11 am(GMT) in London. I drew two scratch art pieces, one of 20 inches X 200 metres with 100 portraits of famous persons the other one 1.4 metre X 20.3 metre (this art work is done in just 12 hours)with folk dances of 40 countries starting with an Assamese Bihu Dance then the Indian Bhangra. The Other countries it includes are UK (Morris Dance), Italy, France, Australia, China, Sri Lanka, Peru, USA, Russia, Japan, Germany others. The art piece with dance has been accepted for the record as the other one miss it because of its width (thier guide lines requires minimum 1 metre of width,mine one was of 20 inch only. Thank you. Yours Apuraj 07425199321 Treat yourself at a restaurant, spa, resort and much more with Rediff Deal ho jaye! ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Corporate touch for SEBA - Dispur appoints Shantikam Hazarika as board chairperson
(THE TELEGRAPH : 27 July 2011) Corporate touch for Seba - Dispur appoints Shantikam Hazarika as board chairperson DAULAT RAHMAN Guwahati, June 26: Dispur has decided to give a corporate touch to the functioning of the Board of Secondary Education, Assam, the state-level authority for conducting school examinations. The government’s intention was evident in the appointment of Shantikam Hazarika as the chairperson of Seba. Hazarika, who graduated from the Birla Institute of Technology Science in Pilani and then did his MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad, has wide experience in handling the management of top bracket organisations, including Oil India Ltd and India Carbon Ltd, Calcutta. He is currently holding the post of director of Assam Institute of Management and is considered to be the main force behind making it one of the prominent management institutes in the country. Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told The Telegraph that the government had appointed Hazarika to bring about the much-desired changes in the functioning of Seba. He said considering his experience, the government hoped that Hazarika would be able to bring professionalism among Seba officials and employees. An official in the education department said the minister was not very happy with the board’s way of functioning and had discussed in details how to improve it. “During his first day of visit to the Seba office on June 10, Sarma told the officials that people must feel a different environment once they enter the board office. The office must be well maintained and people must not face any hassle to get their work done. Officials and employees must develop a professional attitude. The minister, in other words, gave broad hints that Seba must work in corporate style,” the official said. He said there would not have been a better choice than Hazarika in helping Seba to function in the corporate style. According to the plan, the manual way of functioning of the board will be done away in a phased manner. The entire functioning of Seba will be computerised to maintain transparency, accountability and expedite its work. The finance department of Seba has already been computerised. Seba officials and employees will be trained on modern way of office functioning. Motivating sessions will be held among board officials to develop work culture. The official said the Seba building would be renovated and a new look would be brought in its designing. There will be a grievance box where people will be able to lodge complaints. There will be another box where the board will invite suggestions and ideas to improve its functioning. Hazarika expressed happiness over his appointment. He said he wanted to join Seba with an open mind.(The Telegraph : 27 July 2011) ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Anna Hazare's letter to the PM
Anna Hazare's letter to the PM Dear Dr. Singh, I have started my indefinite fast at Jantar mantar. I had invited you also to fast and pray for a corruption free India on 5th April. Though I did not receive any reply from you, I am hopeful that you must have done that. I am pained to read and hear about government's reaction to my fast. I consider it my duty to clarify the points raised on behalf of Congress party and the government by their spokespersons, as they appear in media: 1. It is being alleged that I am being instigated by some people to sit on this fast. Dear Manmohan Singh ji, this is an insult to my sense of wisdom and intelligence. I am not a kid that I could be instigated into going on an indefinite fast. I am a fiercely independent person. I take advice from many friends and critics, but do what my conscience directs me to do. It is my experience that when cornered, governments resort to such malicious slandering. I am pained that the government, rather than addressing the issue of corruption, is trying to allege conspiracies, when there are none. 2. It is being said that I have shown impatience. Dear Prime Minister, so far, every government has shown complete insensitivity and lack of political commitment to tackling corruption. 62 years after independence, we still do not have independent and effective anti‐corruption systems. Very weak versions of Lokpal Bill were presented in Parliament eight times in last 42 years. Even these weak versions were not passed by Parliament. This means, left to themselves, the politicians and bureaucrats will never pass any law which subjects them to any kind of objective scrutiny. At a time, when the country has witnessed scams of unprecedented scale, the impatience of the entire country is justified. And we call upon you, not to look for precedents, but show courage to take unprecedented steps. 3. It is being said that I have shown impatience when the government has initiated the process. I would urge you to tell me - exactly what processes are underway? a. You say that your Group of Ministers are drafting the anti‐corruption law. Many of the members of this Group of Ministers have such a shady past that if effective anticorruption systems had been in place, some of them would have been behind bars. Do you want us to have faith in a process in which some of the most corrupt people of this country should draft the anti‐corruption law? b. NAC sub‐committee has discussed Jan Lokpal Bill. But what does that actually mean? Will the government accept the recommendations of NAC sub‐committee? So far, UPA II has shown complete contempt for even the most innocuous issues raised by NAC. c. I and many other friends from India Against Corruption movement wrote several letters to you after 1st December. I also sent you a copy of Jan Lokpal Bill on 1st December. We did not get any response. It is only when I wrote to you that I will sit on an indefinite fast, we were promptly invited for discussions on 7th March. I wonder whether the government responds only to threats of indefinite fast. Before that, representatives of India Against Corruption had been meeting various Ministers seeking their support for the Jan Lokpal Bill. They met Mr Moily also and personally handed over copy of Jan Lokpal to him. A few hours before our meeting with you, we received a phone call from Mr Moily's office that the copy of Jan Lokpal Bill had been misplaced by his office and they wanted another copy. This is the seriousness with which the government has dealt with Jan Lokpal Bill. d. Dear Dr Manmohan Singh ji, if you were in my place, would you have any faith in the aforesaid processes? Kindly let me know if there are any other processes underway. If you still feel that I am impatient, I am happy that I am because the whole nation is feeling impatient at the lack of credible efforts from your government against corruption. 4. What are we asking for? We are not saying that you should accept the Bill drafted by us. But kindly create a credible platform for discussions - a joint committee with at least half members from civil society suggested by us. Your spokespersons are misleading the nation when they say that there is no precedent for setting up a joint committee. At least seven laws in Maharashtra were drafted by similar joint committees and presented in Maharashtra Assembly. Maharashtra RTI Act, one of the best laws of those times, was drafted by a joint committee. Even at the centre, when 25,000 tribals came to Delhi two year ago, your government set up a joint committee on land issues within 48 hours. You yourself are the Chairperson of that committee. This means that the government is willing to set up joint committees on all other issues, but not on corruption. Why? 5. It is being said that the government wants to talk to us and we are not talking to them. This is utterly false. Tell me a single meeting when you called us and we did not
[Assam] Parliament approves new name for Orissa
Parliament approves new name for Orissa PTI – Thu, Mar 24, 2011 2:36 PM IST New Delhi, March 24 (PTI) Orissa will hereafter be called ''Odisha'' and the Oriya language will be known as ''Odia'' with Parliament giving approval to amendment of the Constitution and also passing the related bill. The Rajya Sabha passed the Orissa (the Alteration of Name) Bill and adopted the Constitution (113th) Amendment Bill after a brief debate with members from all parties hailing the move as historic for people of the state. Supported by all parties, including the Biju Janta Dal, the Constitution Amendment Bill was adopted by all 169 members present and voting. Such a bill requires support of at least two-third of members present and voting. Besides, the majority of the strength of the House should be present for voting. The Upper House has a strength of 245 members. Lok Sabha has already adopted these measures after the Centre received the resolution passed by the state Assembly. While there was all round support for the measure, BJP and Congress members sought to target Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik charging him with non-performance and heading a government facing scams. The bills were piloted by Home Minister P Chidambaram. However, the electronic voting system witnessed glitches during the division so much so that even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh''s vote was also cast wrongly. Participating in the debate, members said the name change was the process of decolonisation as Britishers had changed the Indian names of cities and states. Pyarimohan Mohapatra (BJD) said it was a great moment for people of the state and added that with the change of name, they are getting back their pride. R C Khuntia (Cong) rued that the state, which was prosperous once, has become poverty-stricken. He, however, hoped the change of name will fulfil aspirations of people. He said the state was facing many scams and corruption charges in the present rule. Rudra Narayan Pany (BJP) charged the Orissa Chief Minister with non-performance and said Patnaik could not speak even the local language. His colleague Chandan Mitra said, Orissa regains its prestige and sense of history. Mitra said while India''s heritage was revered in many parts of the world, we have forgotten our own heritage. There have been many cities and states that have been renamed after independence. These include Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Mumbai (Bombay), Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Pune (Poona), Kochi (Cochin) and Bangaluru (Banglore). ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] [NorthEastIndia] Foundation Stone of Dhemaji Engineering College
Congratulations Buljit. Your many years of effort has borne fruit now. Bidyananda Barkakoty FASS, Guwahati --- On Sun, 20/2/11, Buljit Buragohain buluas...@yahoo.co.in wrote: From: Buljit Buragohain buluas...@yahoo.co.in Subject: [NorthEastIndia] Foundation Stone of Dhemaji Engineering College To: assam@assamnet.org, northeastin...@yahoogroups.com, silc...@yahoogroups.com, axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com, assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, 20 February, 2011, 7:24 PM Today (20.02.2011, Sunday),Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi laid the foundation stone of Dhemaji Engineering College ( Public-Private Partnership mode) at Tekjuri,Dhemaji. __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group MARKETPLACE Get great advice about dogs and cats. Visit the Dog Cat Answers Center. Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now. Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use . __,_._,___ ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Fiscal help to blast victim kin (THE ASSAM TRIBUNE : 16 Feb. 2011)
THE ASSAM TRIBUNE : 16 February 2011 Fiscal help to blast victim kin Voluntary organisation Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS) on Saturday handed over a cheque of Rs.12,000 to the mother of Bishal Acharjee, who was orphaned by the October 30, 2008 blasts, for his education for the current academic year. The FASS bore the cost of education of Bishal last year too. Bishal lost his father Sujit Acharjee in the blast that took place at Ganeshguri. Bishal is now six-year-old. His father was working with a car accessories shop and was the sole bread earner for the family. Bishal’s mother Rita Acharjee received the FASS cheque from FASS India President Shantikam Hazarika and its Vice-President Dr. S.I. Ahmed at a function held on the Paltan Bazar campus of Snehalaya, a shelter home for the destitute children. Bishal is now studying at a popular Assamese medium school at Dhirenpara area.in the city. His school reports suggest that he is doing well. But when the tragedy struck the family on that fateful day, Bishal's mother with a little academic background, was at a loss as to how to look after the education of her son. But the visit of Snehalaya founder director Father Lukose and FASS India Secretary General Bidyananda Barkakoty to their house a few weeks after the tragedy brought succour to the family. FASS promised to bear the cost of education of Rita's son up to class X. (THE ASSAM TRIBUNE : 16 Feb. 2011) ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] [NorthEastIndia] Article invited to Asom Vision Document 2025
To, Mr. Yadab Doloi, Convener, Intellectual Cell, BJP, Assam. Dear Mr. Doloi, We do not know any State in India as ASOM. We know there is a State in the North-east part of India called ASSAM. If you want to mean about this State then please make the correction of the spelling. All higher-ups in your Central Committee knows about it and Sarbananda Sonowal is very much aware why it should be ASSAM and not ASOM. We hope you will make the corrections soon. Regards, Bidyananda Barkakoty Guwahati Cell : 9435046211 --- On Mon, 14/2/11, Buljit Buragohain buluas...@yahoo.co.in wrote: From: Buljit Buragohain buluas...@yahoo.co.in Subject: [NorthEastIndia] Article invited to Asom Vision Document 2025 To: xo...@googlegroups.com, assam@assamnet.org, assamonl...@yahoogroups.com, friendsofassa...@yahoogroups.com, northeastin...@yahoogroups.com, silc...@yahoogroups.com, axomiya_stude...@yahoogroups.com, assamsoci...@yahoogroups.com Cc: “Asom Vision Document 2025” avd2...@gmail.com Date: Monday, 14 February, 2011, 8:51 AM Bharatiya Janata Party wants to include your opinion in Asom Vision Document 2025. Interested persons can write their opinion within 300 words on the following topics: Governance, Internal Security, Law Order, Judiciary, Infrastructure, Urban Development, Education, Sports, Women Empowerment and Child Development, Information Technology, Industry, Agriculture and Food, Tribal Welfare and Development, Social Justice, Rural Development, Water Resource Management, Health, Defence and Border Security, Energy and Non-Conventional Energy, Railways, Sustainable Development, Culture, Poverty Alleviation, Demographic Aggression, Tourism, Insurgency Terrorism, Flood Land Erosion, Employment Guarantee, Healthy Interstate Relationship, Land Reform, Natural Resources Management, Integrated Development of Barak Valley , Nationwise Exposure to Asom (People Culture). Interested persons can choose any topic or topics from the subjects mentioned above and send their opinion to BJP North-East Office, Sati Radhika Santi Path , Uzan Bazar, Guwahati-7871001 or can also E-mail to avd2...@gmail.com on or before 21st February 2011. Contact: Sri Yadab Doloi, Convener, Intellectual Cell, BJP, Asom. Mobile No: 09435043931 Fax No: 0361-2604957 __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use . __,_._,___ ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] THE AMAR AXOM : 13 Feb 2011
THE AMAR AXOM : 13 Feb 2011 Full Story- ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] information
I know about a Govt. Blind school located at Kahilipara, Guwahati. Their establishment is big. The students of this blind school participated in an interactive meet with Col. Mike Fince, a NASA Astronaut organised by FASS. I shall contact them and get all the information including contact details. They may like to know the reason for collecting their contact details therefore please let me know why you want the list of blind schools in Assam. Regards, Bidyananda Barkakoty Guwahati Cell : 9435046211 --- On Sun, 13/2/11, Alpana B. Sarangapani absarangap...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Alpana B. Sarangapani absarangap...@hotmail.com Subject: [Assam] information To: assam@assamnet.org Date: Sunday, 13 February, 2011, 12:17 PM Anybody has any idea about how many 'blind schools' are there in Assam? And at least some of thier contact information? Thanks for your help in advance. You can send it to me directly, if you wish! -A. Sarangapani Houston, Texas. “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” - Helen Keller ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] THE AMAR AXOM : 13 Feb 2011
THE AMAR AXOM : 13 Feb 2011 FASS sponsors educational expenses of the son of a victim of Oct 30 2008 Guwahati serial bomb blast Full Story- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = For news updates throughout the day, visit http://119.82.71.95/amarasom/epapermain.aspx = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] INDIANS
INDIANS ALL INDIANS AND EXPATS MUST READ THIS I would like to sum up our performance in the 20th century in one sentence. Indians have succeeded in countries ruled by whites, but failed in their own. This outcome would have astonished leaders of our independence movement. They declared Indians were kept down by white rule and could flourish only under self-rule. This seemed self-evident The harsh reality today is that Indians are succeeding brilliantly in countries ruled by whites, but failing in India. They are flourishing in the USA and Britain. But those that stay in India are pulled down by an outrageous system that fails to reward merit or talent. Fails to allow people and businesses to grow, and keeps real power with netas, babus, and assorted manipulators. Once Indians go to white-ruled countries, they soar and conquer summits once occupied only by whites. Rono Dutta has become head of United Airlines, the biggest airline in the world. Had he stayed in India, he would have no chance in Indian Airlines. Even if the top job there was given to him by some godfather, a myriad netas, babus and trade unionists would have ensured that he could never run it like United Airlines. Rana Talwar has become head of Standard Chartered Bank, one of the biggest multinational banks in Britain, while still in his 40s. Had he been in India, he would perhaps be a local manager in the State Bank, taking orders from babus to give loans to politically favoured clients. Rajat Gupta is head of Mckinsey, the biggest management consultancy firm in the world. He now advises the biggest multinationals on how to run their business. Had he remained in India he would probably be taking orders from some sethji with no qualification save that of being born in a rich family. Lakhsmi Mittal has become the biggest steel baron in the world, with steel plants in the US, Kazakhstan, Germany, Mexico, Trinidad and Indonesia. India's socialist policies reserved the domestic steel industry for the public sector. So Lakhsmi Mittal went to Indonesia to run his family's first steel plant there. Once freed from the shackles of India, he conquered the world. Subhash Chandra of Zee TV has become a global media king, one of the few to beat Rupert Murdoch. He could never have risen had he been limited to India, which decreed a TV monopoly for Doordarshan. But technology came to his aid: satellite TV made it possible for him to target India from Hong Kong. Once he escaped Indian rules and soil, he soared. You may not have heard of 48-year old Gururaj Deshpande. His communications company, Sycamore, is currently valued by the US stock market at over $ 30 billion, making him perhaps one of the richest Indians in the world. Had he remained in India, he would probably be a babu in the Department of Telecommunications. Arun Netravali has become president of Bell Labs, one of the biggest research and development centres in the world with 30,000 inventions and several Nobel Prizes to its credit. Had he been in India, he would probably be struggling in the middle cadre of Indian Telephone Industries. Silicon Valley alone contains over one lac Indian millionaires. Sabeer Bhatia invented Hotmail and sold it to Microsoft for $ 400 million. Victor Menezes is number two in Citibank. Shailesh Mehta is CEO of Providian, a top US financial services company. Also at or near the top are Rakesh Gangwal of US Air, Jamshd Wadia of Arthur Andersen, and Aman Mehta of Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp. In Washington DC, the Indian CEO High Tech Council has no less than 200 members, all high tech-chiefs. While Indians have soared, India has stagnated. At independence India was the most advanced of all colonies, with the best prospects. Today with a GNP per head of $370, it occupies a lowly 177th position among 209 countries of the world. But poverty is by no means the only or main problem. India ranks near the bottom in the UNDP's Human Development Index, but high up in Transparency International's Corruption Index. The neta-babu raj brought in by socialist policies is only one reason for India's failure. The more sordid reason is the rule-based society we inherited from the British Raj is today in tatters. Instead money, muscle and influence matter most. At independence we were justly proud of our politicians. Today we regard them as scoundrels and criminals. They have created a jungle of laws in the holy name of socialism, and used these to line their pockets and create patronage networks. No influential crook suffers. The Mafia flourish unhindered because they have political links. The sons of police officers believe they have a licence to rape and kill (ask the Mattoo family). Talent cannot take you far amidst such rank misgovernance. We are reverting to our ancient feudal system where no rules applied to the powerful. The British Raj brought in abstract concepts of justice for all,
