[Assam] Beijing the Bully

[Pradip Kumar Datta]

Beijing the Bully
China’s refusal to grant visa to Gonesh Koyu, an IAS officer of the Arunachal 
Pradesh cadre who was among a 107-strong delegation of IAS officers set to 
visit China for training at the prestigious Beijing National Academy of 
Administration, has come at a time when India is leaving its past behind and 
moving with diplomatic pragmatism to cement its ties with the neighbouring 
giant. Mr Koyu was denied visa on the grounds that China still considers 
Arunachal Pradesh a part of its own territory and not India’s, and that the 
‘‘disputed status’’ of Arunachal Pradesh obviously prevents Chinese diplomacy 
from effecting a visa regime for people from its ‘‘own’’ territory. This is a 
total perversion of the fact of the day. India, on its part, did the right 
thing by cancelling the proposed trip of IAS officers. In this lies the Indian 
assertion that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, and just that. 
In this is also manifest the unfolding of a resurgent India refusing to be
 cowed down by Beijing’s bullying tactics. While Beijing may have stormed into 
the dynamics of free-market economics and dictated terms to set new global 
trends, India does not lag behind either, despite a plethora of problems. A 
global player in the making — and recognized by the international community 
today — India cannot remain a mute spectator to the overtly aggressive Chinese 
design on Arunachal Pradesh. It would be reassuring indeed if Prime Minister 
Manmohan Singh himself had straightaway sent a message to his Chinese 
counterpart conveying India’s downright rejection of the Chinese claim on any 
part of Arunachal Pradesh. The message should also have it that as long as 
China cherishes Arunachal Pradesh as part of its expansionist design, there 
cannot be any pragmatic move towards resolving the vexed issues between the two 
countries; and that recognition of each other’s well-defined territories with 
settled populations, leaving the phantoms of the past behind, is the
 only way out of the impasse. 
On the flip side of it all, one wonders whether China realizes that India has 
come a long way from the Nehruvian era — reminiscent of that meek psychological 
surrender of 1962 when Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘‘heart went out to the people of 
Assam’’ as the Chinese forces rampaged through Arunachal Pradesh. Today the 
Indian Prime Minister will definitely not surrender in that characteristic 
Nehruvian style. It is high time Beijing realized this Indian 
politico-diplomatic metamorphosis. More important, as Beijing strives to set 
new global trends by economic miracles, it would only make a laughing stock of 
itself and its people by eyeing an integral part of its neighbour, India, no 
less powerful and economically buoyant. We understand that there is no 
likelihood of any war between India and China on Arunachal Pradesh; so what 
does China want to prove by harping on Arunachal Pradesh? That it can still 
bully around without being scoffed at?
 http://sentinelassam.com/
   
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Re: [Assam] Anti-ULFA slogans resonate in city - Sentinel

[Ram Sarangapani]

C'da

>Heh-heh! This looks like a BJP vs Congress battle.

I think I could well agree with you. I mean, any  political group will now
take advantage (if it can) out of the situation - (othi bhokti), Isn;t
that how band wagons are garnered in the first place?

But, what I wanted to point out is that the tide seems to be changing and
not just in towns, but also the rural areas - against the
ULFA's violence and generally against violence (say against the military)
There is a limit, even for ordinary folks, as to how much a group like the
ulfa can frighten them into submission and just plain acquiescence and for
how long. They kind a tolerated and even went along for a while - till they
plainly saw where they are being led into - nowhere and into oblivion.

--Ram


On 5/30/07, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 >The BJYM leader said that the Centre should immediately impose
President's Rule in the State for the State >Government's failure to tackle
the activities of the ISI and other Islamic fundamentalists in the State.






Heh-heh! This looks like a BJP  vs Congress battle. ULFA just happens to
be a convenient catalyst.






















At 6:30 PM -0600 5/30/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:

Where is all that much touted support? Not in the villages, nor in the
cities?





*Anti-ULFA slogans resonate in city
**'Paresh Baruahar dalali nasaliba'**
*By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 30: Anti-ULFA slogans resonated in the air in the city today
when hundreds of people responded to the call of a number of senior
journalists and writers, and took to the streets with a protest march
followed by a rally. The Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha (BJYM), on the other
hand, took out a separate procession and staged a dharna near the
Dighalipukhuri in the city demanding immediate imposition of President's
Rule in the State for the failure of the State Government to tackle the
activities of the ISI and other Islamic fundamentalists in the State.
Responding to the call of as many as 14 senior journalists and writers
like Dhirendranath Chakravarty, Ranen Kumar Goswami, Rupam Baruah, Nirupama
Borgohain and others, over 100 activists of various organizations like the
Athgaon Binapani Samiti, Brihattar Athgaon Rajohuwa Samiti, the Assam Public
Works (APW) etc took to the streets from the Guwahati Press Club (GPC) to
the office of the Deputy Commissioner and returned to the GPC where they
held a rally.* Slogans like aah oi aah, ulai aah; khed oi khed; ULFA khed
(come and drive the ULFA away), ISI hoshiyar (ISI, be careful), PCGik
eghoria kar (outcast the PCG from the society), Paresh Baruahar dalali
nasaliba* (broker Paresh Baruah's policy won't be allowed), Dhakar adesh
aami naamaanu (we won't obey Dhaka's diktat) etc rocked the thoroughfares of
the city from the GPC to the DC office and back when the processionists
began to shout slogans against the killing in the city and the State by the
ULFA.
Speaking at the rally later, Ranen Kumar Goswami said: "We don't want an
independent Asom as demanded by the ULFA, and we will never accept the
diktat of Dhaka or Islamabad. The ULFA should stop killing in the State or
else the people of the State won't remain mute spectators".
Meanwhile, there was a hot altercation between BJYM president Dilip Saikia
and district Magistrate CK Bhuyan on the permission for the procession taken
by the BJYM against the State Government's failure to bring the
law-and-order situation under its control.

The BJYM leader said that the Centre should immediately impose President's
Rule in the State for the State Government's failure to tackle the
activities of the ISI and other Islamic fundamentalists in the State. The
BJYM staged a dharna near the Dighalipukhuri in support of its demands.


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Re: [Assam] [WaterWatch] Join us, Medha patkars visit to Assam on 17- 18 June 2007

[Chan Mahanta]

*** My very best wishes to all, including Medha 
Patkar, Dinesh Mishra, Himanshu Thakkar, and a 
BIG THANK YOU.


cm



At 12:37 AM -0700 5/29/07, subansiriDam update\(PMSBV\) wrote:

Dear all ,

please give attention

Bhai,   Akhil
Assam


Medha Patker’ s visit to Assam
Date 17-18 June 2007
(On invitation from Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Assam)

Medha Patkar is a voice of peoples’ resistance 
against the authoritarian approaches of 
development pursued by the Indian state in 
connivance with the national and international 
capital. Leader of the Naramada Bachao Andolan, 
Medha invited wrath of Indian state by exposing 
the hidden agenda behind the development 
strategies. She mobilized thousands of people in 
the Bank of Narmada to resist the Sardar Sarovar 
Dam Project demanding the peoples’ right to land 
and livelihood. In the decade long struggle, she 
has generated the support of the democratic, 
progressive and secular communities/individuals 
in different parts of the country and her 
movement against Dams and Displacement has 
transformed into a peoples’ movement for right 
to land, resources and livelihood. In the long 
run, Medha has emerged as a voice against state 
authoritarianism, neo-imperialism and 
communalism.
 Medha, along with her 
colleagues Prof. D. K. Mishra and Himanshu 
Takkar will visit Assam on 17-18 June 2007 on 
invitation by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, 
Assam. She and her colleagues will address 
around 1000 activists engaged in struggle for 
right to land, water, resources and livelihood 
in Assam and will explore the peoples’ 
strategies for realizing those rights in Assam 
in the light of their experience in India. Three 
important issues i.e. Land Rights in Assam; 
Dams, Development and Displacement in Assam and 
Seismic Survey and Oil Drilling in the Riverbed 
of Brahmaputra have been earmarked for 
discussion. Medha will also attend a meeting on 
18th June at 3-0 PM at Gauhati University.
Assam, which is passing 
though turmoil today, has been witnessing three 
different forms of movements. Whereas ULFA and 
other armed groups are fighting for secession 
from India and establishment of independent 
states of their own; the ethnic movements are 
demanding more autonomy and territorial councils 
within the Indian federalism. On the other hand, 
series of grass roots political movements have 
come up in Assam on different substantive issues 
centred on peoples’ right to life, security and 
livelihood. For example, thousands of people 
come on the street in Tinsukia district, 
fighting against the state atrocities 
perpetuated by the military and para-military 
forces and demanding their right to life, 
security and dignity. The Doiyang-Tengani 
movement in Golaghat district in Assam has 
mobilized thousands of people, particularly the 
forest dwellers, demanding land rights. This 
movement has now spread to different parts of 
the state, particularly among the tribal and the 
down-trodden who are suffering in the hands of 
state anti-people strategies. The Doiyang-Tegani 
movement, which has transformed into an All 
Assam Movement today in the form of Krishak 
Mukti Sangram Samiti, Asom has now emerged as a 
very strong and visible voice of peoples’ 
resistance.
 Movements have also 
come up against the big dams/projects in 
different parts of the state today. Lower 
Subansiri Hydro Electrical Project, Pagladiya 
Dam Project and the Bogibeel have been resisted 
by the potential displacees in organized way. 
The visit of Medha is expected to give a new 
dimension to these peoples’ movements.




Arrival on 16th June 2007 & Departure on 19th June 2007
Medha Patker
Himanshu Takkar
D. K. Mishra
Issues: Land Rights
Dams and Displacement
Seismic Survey and Oil drilling in Brahmaputra
Tentative Programme
17th June 2007
Venue: Not yet decided
1.  A briefing on the situation in Assam 9-00 Am to 10-00 AM
By Nitya Bora & Akhil Ranjan Dutta followed by a discussion
2.  The Issue of Land rights in Assam: 10-15 Am to 10-45
3.  Discussion on Peoples’ Strategies in 
Assam in the light of the situation/experience 
in India: Medha Patker : 11-00 AM to 1-00 PM


   LUNCH: 1-00 PM to 2-00 PM

4.  The Issue of Dams and Displacement in Assam:
  To be introduced by Prof. M. Hussain & Prakash Mahanta
Discussion by Prof. D. K. Mishra & Himanshu Takkar
5.  Discussion on Peoples’ strategies: Medha Patkar

18th June 2007
9-00 AM to 10-00 AM
1.  Introduction to the issue of Seismic 
Survey and Oil Drilling in Assam by

  Saumyadwip Dutta
2. Discussion on the situation by Bhagabat Pran 
Duoarah &  Prasanta Saikia  9-00


10-15 AM to 12-30 PM
 3. Discussion on Peoples’ Strategies by Medha Patker

Medha Patker’ s visit to Assam
Date 17-18 June 2007
(On invitation from Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Assam)

Medha Patkar is a voice of peoples’ resistance 
agains

Re: [Assam] Anti-ULFA slogans resonate in city - Sentinel

[Chan Mahanta]

The BJYM leader said that the Centre should immediately impose 
President's Rule in the State for the State >Government's failure to 
tackle the activities of the ISI and other Islamic fundamentalists 
in the State.




Heh-heh! This looks like a BJP  vs Congress battle. ULFA just happens 
to be a convenient catalyst.












At 6:30 PM -0600 5/30/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:

Where is all that much touted support? Not in the villages, nor in the cities?


Anti-ULFA slogans resonate in city
'Paresh Baruahar dalali nasaliba'
By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 30: Anti-ULFA slogans resonated in the air in the city 
today when hundreds of people responded to the call of a number of 
senior journalists and writers, and took to the streets with a 
protest march followed by a rally. The Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha 
(BJYM), on the other hand, took out a separate procession and staged 
a dharna near the Dighalipukhuri in the city demanding immediate 
imposition of President's Rule in the State for the failure of the 
State Government to tackle the activities of the ISI and other 
Islamic fundamentalists in the State.
Responding to the call of as many as 14 senior journalists and 
writers like Dhirendranath Chakravarty, Ranen Kumar Goswami, Rupam 
Baruah, Nirupama Borgohain and others, over 100 activists of various 
organizations like the Athgaon Binapani Samiti, Brihattar Athgaon 
Rajohuwa Samiti, the Assam Public Works (APW) etc took to the 
streets from the Guwahati Press Club (GPC) to the office of the 
Deputy Commissioner and returned to the GPC where they held a rally. 
Slogans like aah oi aah, ulai aah; khed oi khed; ULFA khed (come and 
drive the ULFA away), ISI hoshiyar (ISI, be careful), PCGik eghoria 
kar (outcast the PCG from the society), Paresh Baruahar dalali 
nasaliba (broker Paresh Baruah's policy won't be allowed), Dhakar 
adesh aami naamaanu (we won't obey Dhaka's diktat) etc rocked the 
thoroughfares of the city from the GPC to the DC office and back 
when the processionists began to shout slogans against the killing 
in the city and the State by the ULFA.
Speaking at the rally later, Ranen Kumar Goswami said: "We don't 
want an independent Asom as demanded by the ULFA, and we will never 
accept the diktat of Dhaka or Islamabad. The ULFA should stop 
killing in the State or else the people of the State won't remain 
mute spectators".
Meanwhile, there was a hot altercation between BJYM president Dilip 
Saikia and district Magistrate CK Bhuyan on the permission for the 
procession taken by the BJYM against the State Government's failure 
to bring the law-and-order situation under its control.
The BJYM leader said that the Centre should immediately impose 
President's Rule in the State for the State Government's failure to 
tackle the activities of the ISI and other Islamic fundamentalists 
in the State. The BJYM staged a dharna near the Dighalipukhuri in 
support of its demands.


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[Assam] Anti-ULFA slogans resonate in city - Sentinel

[Ram Sarangapani]

Where is all that much touted support? Not in the villages, nor in the
cities?

**
*Anti-ULFA slogans resonate in city
'Paresh Baruahar dalali nasaliba'
*By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 30: Anti-ULFA slogans resonated in the air in the city today
when hundreds of people responded to the call of a number of senior
journalists and writers, and took to the streets with a protest march
followed by a rally. The Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha (BJYM), on the other
hand, took out a separate procession and staged a dharna near the
Dighalipukhuri in the city demanding immediate imposition of President's
Rule in the State for the failure of the State Government to tackle the
activities of the ISI and other Islamic fundamentalists in the State.
Responding to the call of as many as 14 senior journalists and writers like
Dhirendranath Chakravarty, Ranen Kumar Goswami, Rupam Baruah, Nirupama
Borgohain and others, over 100 activists of various organizations like the
Athgaon Binapani Samiti, Brihattar Athgaon Rajohuwa Samiti, the Assam Public
Works (APW) etc took to the streets from the Guwahati Press Club (GPC) to
the office of the Deputy Commissioner and returned to the GPC where they
held a rally. *Slogans like aah oi aah, ulai aah; khed oi khed; ULFA khed
(come and drive the ULFA away), ISI hoshiyar (ISI, be careful), PCGik
eghoria kar (outcast the PCG from the society), Paresh Baruahar dalali
nasaliba* (broker Paresh Baruah's policy won't be allowed), Dhakar adesh
aami naamaanu (we won't obey Dhaka's diktat) etc rocked the thoroughfares of
the city from the GPC to the DC office and back when the processionists
began to shout slogans against the killing in the city and the State by the
ULFA.
Speaking at the rally later, Ranen Kumar Goswami said: "We don't want an
independent Asom as demanded by the ULFA, and we will never accept the
diktat of Dhaka or Islamabad. The ULFA should stop killing in the State or
else the people of the State won't remain mute spectators".
Meanwhile, there was a hot altercation between BJYM president Dilip Saikia
and district Magistrate CK Bhuyan on the permission for the procession taken
by the BJYM against the State Government's failure to bring the
law-and-order situation under its control.
The BJYM leader said that the Centre should immediately impose President's
Rule in the State for the State Government's failure to tackle the
activities of the ISI and other Islamic fundamentalists in the State. The
BJYM staged a dharna near the Dighalipukhuri in support of its demands.
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Re: [Assam] Clamour for a political solution to the ULFA demands from the trader community in Assam

[Chan Mahanta]

What I propose is to bring the conflict to an end, through 
negotiations and a political solution. Even Indian military brass, 
time and again, have declared that the conflict could be ended only 
with a political solution. And even the most reactionary of 
newspapers have declared, time and again, that the conflict will not 
end, unless the root causes are addressed and solutions found.


MY question for Jyoti is: WHAT is YOUR solution? What do YOU propose?

Of course we have seen Jyoti's earlier proposals. Now if I asked him 
to grade those proposals, like a teacher might do to a student's 
home-work, how would Jyoti grade his own work?


Some suggested grades:

A -- for brilliant, imaginative
B -- for having a decent chance at success
C -- for Childish
D -- for DUMB



cm




















At 5:24 PM -0500 5/30/07, Alpana B. Sarangapani wrote:

I agree and do the same - call around to find out if everyone is ok.









"In order to make spiritual progress you must be patient like a tree 
and humble like a blade of grass"


- Lakshmana






 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 19:26:57 +0800
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 CC: assam@assamnet.org
 Subject: Re: [Assam] Clamour for a political solution to the ULFA 
demands from the trader community in Assam is a positive 
development. Every one should look at the ULFA stand as the core 
issue. NOT to treat i


 " ... instead of shedding crocodile tears like so many of our
 highly intelligent friends here, who are never affected by what is
 happening?"
 Everyone who has someone in Assam is affected. Everytime a bomb
 blast happens I have to check the papers and call home to see that
 everyone is OK.
 Is this the "Freedom" that you are proposing ?

 JS

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[Assam] from the AT

[Alpana B. Sarangapani]

..on The Athgaon blast and after— Harekrishna Deka
 
Click here to read this editorial or cut & paste into your address bar if that 
doesn't work:
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=may3007\edit2
 

“In order to make spiritual progress you must be patient like a tree and humble 
like a blade of grass”
- Lakshmana
 
 
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Re: [Assam] Clamour for a political solution to the ULFA demands from the trader community in Assam

[Alpana B. Sarangapani]

I agree and do the same - call around to find out if everyone is ok.

 
 
 
 
“In order to make spiritual progress you must be patient like a tree and humble 
like a blade of grass”
- Lakshmana
 
 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 19:26:57 +0800> To: [EMAIL 
 > PROTECTED]> CC: assam@assamnet.org> Subject: Re: [Assam] Clamour for a 
 > political solution to the ULFA demands from the trader community in Assam is 
 > a positive development. Every one should look at the ULFA stand as the core 
 > issue. NOT to treat i> > " ... instead of shedding crocodile tears like 
 > so many of our > highly intelligent friends here, who are never affected by 
 > what is > happening?"> Everyone who has someone in Assam is affected. 
 > Everytime a bomb > blast happens I have to check the papers and call home to 
 > see that > everyone is OK.> Is this the "Freedom" that you are proposing ?> 
 > > JS> > ___> assam mailing list> 
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Re: [Assam] The making of a melody

[Alpana B. Sarangapani]

Great work, Ankur. 
 
Thanks for sending it to us. 
 
 
 
 

“In order to make spiritual progress you must be patient like a tree and humble 
like a blade of grass”
- Lakshmana
 
 


Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 12:36:39 -0700From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL 
PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; assam@assamnet.org; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL 
PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [Assam] The making of a melody
Some of the early memories of my childhood are those of my Grandma singing 
lullabies to me. Her familiar beautiful voice would often calm my discontented 
restless little body and lull me to sleep. As my Grandma crooned over and over 
those soothing tender tunes I would often feel swiftly transported into 
dreamland, a fantasy world of vibrant colors and sweet imaginations. Today the 
tables are turned. I often struggle with my kids who at many times tire me out 
with their boundless energy and their insatiable thirst for stories and songs. 
I then felt the need to remember, mixed in fond memories, those quaint old 
songs to sing to my little ones. And help came unexpectedly and in pleasant 
surprise.
 
Mr Rajen Baruah of Houstan , after painstaking research, has collected and 
compiled , in the Roman script  , around twenty of those lyrical lullabies 
which in Assamese are called " Nisukoni Git". On a recent trip to Austin, Rajen 
da came over to my place and we worked together in compiling and giving voice 
to these age old songs. Rajen da believes that sound has its own energy; sound 
breathes and shapes itself into musical work, and the importance of getting the 
pronunciations phonetically correct in order to preserve and uphold our 
Assamese language.
We were also delighted to have Alpona Barooah ( Lonee baidew ) of Houstan in 
midst of us that day. Lonee baidew possesses insurmountable energy and has a 
great passion for life. She enthusiastically volunteered to give her voice to 
recording those sweet lullabies. We watched in awe and delight as she began 
singing, putting her heart and soul into each song, some of which she would 
often sing for her own little grandson. A few of the lullabies also got laced 
by the melodious voice of Ajanta Baruah of Houston and Ranu Dutta of Austin. 
 
Dear Readers, for all those with little children to enjoy, and for the rest who 
are far away from their homeland, these beautiful lullabies will touch your 
hearts and bring back memories of times gone by. You can read and listen to 
them at the website
 
www.friendsofassam.org
 
 And selecting the menu NE Languages / lullabies
 
Alternatively you can click directly to the url
 
http://friendsofassam.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=71
 
On that page, you will find an audio link alongside each of the lullaby. To 
listen, move your mouse over audio, right click and select “open in new window”.
 
Most of the Laptops now-a-days come with an in built speaker. While this is 
sufficient for audio, external speakers offer a better volume. 
 
Thanks and I would appreciate your comment and suggestion. 
 
Ankur
 
Austin , Texas


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[Assam] Fwd: Study that you participated in

[Dilip/Dil Deka]

Dilip/Dil Deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 06:08:42 
-0700 (PDT)
From: Dilip/Dil Deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Fwd: Study that you participated in 
To: ASSAMNET 

  My wife Dil took the lead in contacting the Assamese families in Texas to 
provide the samples for the Assamese group of the Indian-Americans in the 
study. When we met Pragna Patel she spoke eloquently on the subject of genetic 
variations. During our conversation, she expected variation among the Indian 
genetic samples. However as the study says Indian samples form one group and 
there is not much variation in the group.
   
  If you want more information on the subject, please contact Pragna directly.
  Dilip Deka
   
  P.S. This is purely a scientific study in genes and diseases. Do not mix it 
with political discussions that frequent this net, though the Hindustan Times 
attempts to do so.
  === 

Pragna Patel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  Subject: Study that you participated in 
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 23:57:33 -0700
From: "Pragna Patel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Dear Study Participant,
  The study on Genetic variation in Indians that you participated in was 
published and it was the subject of an Editorial in Hindustan Times. 
  Please see the following links for details and email me if you have any 
questions or if your information needs to be updated. 
  
  The article is seen at:
  
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17194221
  The Hindustan Times Editorial may be seen at:
  
http://www.usc.edu/schools/medicine/research/institutes/igm/face.php?C=whats_new_patel
  For those of you who do not know, I have moved to University of Southern 
California from Baylor College of Medicine and my new details are below. 
  Many thanks for your participation. It really made a difference!
  We have now launched a research study on the genetics of heart disease and 
type 2 diabetes in Asian Indians. If you or anybody you know is interested in 
this study, please do visit our website: www.usc.edu/RICADIA and send me your 
information or you may directly email me. 
  
  Best wishes, 
  
  Pragna Patel
  
  Pragna Patel
Institute for Genetic Medicine
University of Southern California
  2250 Alcazar Street , IGM 240
Los Angeles, CA 90033
323-442-2751 (office)
323-442-2764 (fax)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  
  


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[Assam] The making of a melody

[Ankur Bora]

Some of the early memories of my childhood are those of my Grandma singing 
lullabies to me. Her familiar beautiful voice would often calm my discontented 
restless little body and lull me to sleep. As my Grandma crooned over and over 
those soothing tender tunes I would often feel swiftly transported into 
dreamland, a fantasy world of vibrant colors and sweet imaginations. Today the 
tables are turned. I often struggle with my kids who at many times tire me out 
with their boundless energy and their insatiable thirst for stories and songs. 
I then felt the need to remember, mixed in fond memories, those quaint old 
songs to sing to my little ones. And help came unexpectedly and in pleasant 
surprise.
   
  Mr Rajen Baruah of Houstan , after painstaking research, has collected and 
compiled , in the Roman script  , around twenty of those lyrical lullabies 
which in Assamese are called " Nisukoni Git". On a recent trip to Austin, Rajen 
da came over to my place and we worked together in compiling and giving voice 
to these age old songs. Rajen da believes that sound has its own energy; sound 
breathes and shapes itself into musical work, and the importance of getting the 
pronunciations phonetically correct in order to preserve and uphold our 
Assamese language.
  We were also delighted to have Alpona Barooah ( Lonee baidew ) of Houstan in 
midst of us that day. Lonee baidew possesses insurmountable energy and has a 
great passion for life. She enthusiastically volunteered to give her voice to 
recording those sweet lullabies. We watched in awe and delight as she began 
singing, putting her heart and soul into each song, some of which she would 
often sing for her own little grandson. A few of the lullabies also got laced 
by the melodious voice of Ajanta Baruah of Houston and Ranu Dutta of Austin. 
   
  Dear Readers, for all those with little children to enjoy, and for the rest 
who are far away from their homeland, these beautiful lullabies will touch your 
hearts and bring back memories of times gone by. You can read and listen to 
them at the website
   
  www.friendsofassam.org
   
   And selecting the menu NE Languages / lullabies
   
  Alternatively you can click directly to the url
   
  
http://friendsofassam.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=71
   
  On that page, you will find an audio link alongside each of the lullaby. To 
listen, move your mouse over audio, right click and select “open in new window”.
   
  Most of the Laptops now-a-days come with an in built speaker. While this is 
sufficient for audio, external speakers offer a better volume. 
   
  Thanks and I would appreciate your comment and suggestion. 
   
  Ankur
   
  Austin , Texas

   
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Re: [Assam] About My Instigations and Your Contributions

[Nayanjyoti Medhi]

C-Da,
Accept my invitation and I will answer all your questions. And as regards
the following:

*** That shows your fair-and-balanced outlook and respect for the law which,
I presume,  holds no one should be held guilty until so proven in a court of
justice.

I surely believe that as I was the Advocate fighting for release of the DHD
(ceasefire group) when their cadres were arrested by the Indian Army in
violation of the ceasefire ground rules. And ultimately the Gauhati High
Court released those cadres.

Regards

Nayan

p.s: I did not post my observations in assamnet to intimidate you, I did
that because maybe you could contribute in lessening of the killings of
innocent people. I apologise. I was wrong.


On 5/30/07, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 Hi Nayan:




>  I'm glad that at last you admitted that you are a wimp.


*** Didn't realize you were under the mistaken idea that I was otherwise.
Why didn't you just ask. I am not ashamed of being a wimp to admit it.
Haven't you noticed how I never accuse anyone of being a 'coward' unlike
your brave compatriots in assamnet?  That is because I am one myself :-).




>about the suicide bomber thing, no matter who ever says that, Till the
attacks are against the civilians >of Assam, they will be deplorable and
taken as an act of terrorism by the people of assam against >them and not as
anything else.


*** I am sure  your warning will be taken due note of those who might be
contemplating such.  Question is whether they will be shaking in their
chappals  from it ? If past and present experience is any guide however,
that may not be enough of a deterrence. What do you think ? Maybe you can as
ask a Tamil Tiger or a Kashmir Freedom Fighter if they are deterred by
warnings of the righteous like yourself.











 Will you be able to demonstrate your  commitments to a peaceful
resolution of the conflict by  standing up and supporting the plea of the
'traders'   published in the AT that Barta Bistar posted ?









>In case you have not noticed, I have not commented upon the doings of any
organisations until now


*** That shows your fair-and-balanced outlook and respect for the law
which, I presume,  holds no one should be held guilty until so proven in a
court of justice. Such magnanimity is the stuff of legends and
differentiates a high-court advocate  from ordinary mortals .




> I as a concerned citizen of Assam, would like the fear factor out of the
minds of the people, who are >afraid to venture out to any market areas even
during the day time.


*** That must make you unique! Glad you pointed that out.






>So for me and for the people of assam, who does not have the means to
find out who are behind such >heinous acts, these will be just random acts
of terrorism.


*** There you go! You do know how to distance yourself from the realities
that surround you with the use of words. Just like Ram distanced himself
from the humanity of those people who appealed to GoI for bringing and end
to the violence thru negotiations with just one word "TRADERS",  thus
discounting their humanity and concerns.


With such intellectual bravery, you all  hold up your civilization as a
beacon to the world.






>Everybody is concerned about only one thing. THAT IT SHOULD STOP.


*** But are YOU? And if you are, why did you AVOID answering the question
I asked:



 Will you be able to demonstrate your  commitments to a peaceful
resolution of the conflict by  standing up and supporting the plea of the
'traders'   published in the AT that Barta Bistar posted ?





But I realize, one gets carried away with all the writings and can miss a
point or two.  So, would YOU put your money where your mouth is and support
the plea of these TRADERS, even though they could be expended as mere
opportunists, to seek the ONLY possible way to bring an end to the conflict?


I shall wait with bated breath :-).






>I'm on your case because i know that you alongwith some others who do not
have the guts to give >blood are instigating others to do that on your
behalf. and that is setting a bad trend.




***  So do you think you are having any effect?  Is your getting on my
case and extracting the confession that I AM a wimp and a coward  is doing
any good to your cause - namely silencing  me or even those other unnamed
few?  You don't observe too well do you Nayan?








Now why do you think anyone is getting instigated by what I say or write?
Because I say good things? Or because I say bad things? Are these folks who
get instigated by my writings  fools and are willing to go die on MY BEHALF
fighting the Indian Army, me who does not even live in Assam , because I
defend Assam's rights to its resources and rights to reform its governance
for the BENEFIT of ALL its people, not just a select few like you folks want
to perpetuate?


That is quite an inference  if you asked me. You flatter me so.


But something tells me it is a rather brazen attempt to intimidate me.
Unfortunatel

[Assam] BBC E-mail: Army deployed after India riots

[Chandan Mahanta]

Chandan Mahanta saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you
should see it.

** Message **
This is typical of the Indian state's conflict resolution program, which has 
not changed in sixty years after freedom.

** Army deployed after India riots **
Troops are deployed in India's Rajasthan state after 14 people are killed in 
clashes over government job quotas.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/6703133.stm >


** BBC Daily E-mail **
Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all
in one daily e-mail
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/email >


** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written 
in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please 
note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.

If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more 
about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked 
questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

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[Assam] Cool Math for Chilling Out!

[umesh sharma]

http://www.coolmath.com/
   
  http://www.coolmath4kids.com/
   
  http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/web/2000/heal/mathsites.htm for big kids


Umesh Sharma

Washington D.C. 

1-202-215-4328 [Cell]

Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005

http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info)

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)




www.gse.harvard.edu/iep  (where the above 2 are used )




http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
   
-
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Re: [Assam] About My Instigations and Your Contributions

[Ram Sarangapani]

C'da

I am just going to respond to this one portion.


*** There you go! You do know how to distance yourself from the realities
that surround you with the use of words. Just like Ram distanced himself
from the humanity of those people who appealed to GoI for bringing and end
to the violence thru negotiations with just one word "TRADERS",  thus
discounting their humanity and concerns.

With such intellectual bravery, you all  hold up your civilization as a
beacon to the world.


The reason I brought up "TRADERS" was because you and BB brought it up as if
"these traders" were
ALL for some negotiations.

All I am saying is, yes they may well be - but not for the reasons you would
would others to think - THAT IS, even these traders want a fast, negotiated
peace talks - and maybe even "Assam's independence"

I don't see it that way at all. The traders are NOT the GOI, they are just
looking for their own interests. You go ask a common person from the Fancy
Bazar or Athgaon area - you will probably get that reply too "we want talks"
& Peace.
(basically meaning - leave us alone)

The concerns of all these people are genuine - their safety, their
livelihood. But who is perpetrating this violence? The ULFA. The supporters
of ULFA (and ULFA) are back-peddling really fast now. They see public anger,
a couple of lynchings (in the rural areas - the supposed ulfa "ghatti"
-stronghold).

So what do they do?
Deny vehementally (Of course after gauging which way the wind is blowing)
that ulfa was responsible
Get some comments from frightened-out-of-their-wits common folks, traders
etc, who want "peace" and turn those around to sound as if the whole of
Assam is behind this "cause"
Keep spinning this thing - find anyone or anything to pin the bombings on
Take full advantage of the genuine anger of people on the Govt. for NOT
being able to provide security for its citizens.
Put as much time & spin in-between this - so that people will forget. The
ulfa can run away and cause mayhem another day.

Lastly, just because the the Govt. machinery was/is not able to protect the
lives of all citizens from the so many blasts, should the ULFA then sneak in
to kill more people (because the Govt. is supposedly inept?)?
(This is NOT to excuse the govt. of its responsibility to citizens, but it
certainly DOES MEAN that when the Govt.'s guard is down (or the ULFA sees a
chance) it will take it to kill ordinary Assamese.

Really, its no bravado to bomb, kill, and hurt people in a public place.

--Ram




On 5/30/07, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Hi Nayan:


>  I'm glad that at last you admitted that you are a wimp.

*** Didn't realize you were under the mistaken idea that I was otherwise.
Why didn't you just ask. I am not ashamed of being a wimp to admit it.
Haven't you noticed how I never accuse anyone of being a 'coward' unlike
your brave compatriots in assamnet?  That is because I am one myself :-).


>about the suicide bomber thing, no matter who ever says that, Till the
attacks are against the civilians >of Assam, they will be deplorable and
taken as an act of terrorism by the people of assam against >them and not

as

anything else.

*** I am sure  your warning will be taken due note of those who might be
contemplating such.  Question is whether they will be shaking in their
chappals  from it ? If past and present experience is any guide however,
that may not be enough of a deterrence. What do you think ? Maybe you can

as

ask a Tamil Tiger or a Kashmir Freedom Fighter if they are deterred by
warnings of the righteous like yourself.






Will you be able to demonstrate your  commitments to a peaceful resolution
of the conflict by  standing up and supporting the plea of the 'traders'
published in the AT that Barta Bistar posted ?




>In case you have not noticed, I have not commented upon the doings of any
organisations until now

*** That shows your fair-and-balanced outlook and respect for the law

which,

I presume,  holds no one should be held guilty until so proven in a court

of

justice. Such magnanimity is the stuff of legends and differentiates a
high-court advocate  from ordinary mortals .


> I as a concerned citizen of Assam, would like the fear factor out of the
minds of the people, who are >afraid to venture out to any market areas

even

during the day time.

*** That must make you unique! Glad you pointed that out.



>So for me and for the people of assam, who does not have the means to

find

out who are behind such >heinous acts, these will be just random acts of
terrorism.

*** There you go! You do know how to distance yourself from the realities
that surround you with the use of words. Just like Ram distanced himself
from the humanity of those people who appealed to GoI for bringing and end
to the violence thru negotiations with just one word "TRADERS",  thus
discounting their humanity and concerns.

With such intellectual bravery, you all  hold up your civilization as a
beacon to the world.



>Everyb

Re: [Assam] It is well known how saintly are the India controlled police force in Assam! Why not com

[Alpana B. Sarangapani]

This is even more scary. 
 
Anybody with a political motive would not care for the people of Assam! 
 
Only ULFA can stop this violence in Assam created by groups of other people 
(granting them the benefit of doubt) and they know how - by having a "real" 
peace talk with the Center instead of a 'bhekoo-bhauna' of having one like 
before. And drop 'akoor-gooz' issues that are not practical.
 
My two cents again..
 
A. Sarangapani
Spring/Houston, Texas.
 
 

“In order to make spiritual progress you must be patient like a tree and humble 
like a blade of grass”
- Lakshmana
 


Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 05:52:04 +0100From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: [EMAIL 
PROTECTED]: [Assam] It is well known how saintly are the India controlled 
police force in Assam! Why not commission an impartial inquiry into ALL the 
incidents where the ULFA has not claimed responsibility? Is it because the 
State indeed is involved in those?
Ulfa denies role in blasts
A STAFF REPORTER 
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070530/asp/northeast/story_7847505.asp
Guwahati, May 29: A day after the people of Guwahati sent a strong message by 
observing a total bandh against the string of blasts in the city, Ulfa came out 
with a statement denying its hand in any of the violence. 
Instead, the outfit today demanded an impartial inquiry to determine the 
"forces" behind the incidents. 
The outfit's denial came three days after the latest blast that left six dead 
and over a score injured in the Athgaon area, triggering a massive public 
outcry against the mindless violence. 
Denying Ulfa's involvement, the outfit's self-styled military spokesman Raju 
Barua said in a written statement said there should be an independent inquiry 
to find the "truth". The outfit also denied its involvement in the spurt of 
extortion. 
The denial was, however, brushed aside by police who said it was an old Ulfa 
tactic to wash its hands of any "nefarious incident" once it is faced with 
public resistance. "There has been a series of bomb blasts in Guwahati for the 
past month. But the outfit thought it right to make its position clear only 
after people registered a strong protest by observing a bandh," a senior police 
official said. 
"Ulfa was waiting for the public reaction. If the bandh was not a resounding 
success as it was yesterday, it would have remained silent like it was about 
several other blasts that took place in the city this month," the official 
said. 
 

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[Assam] About My Instigations and Your Contributions

[Chan Mahanta]

Hi Nayan:



  I'm glad that at last you admitted that you are a wimp.


*** Didn't realize you were under the mistaken idea that I was 
otherwise. Why didn't you just ask. I am not ashamed of being a wimp 
to admit it. Haven't you noticed how I never accuse anyone of being a 
'coward' unlike your brave compatriots in assamnet?  That is because 
I am one myself :-).



about the suicide bomber thing, no matter who ever says that, Till 
the attacks are against the civilians >of Assam, they will be 
deplorable and taken as an act of terrorism by the people of assam 
against >them and not as anything else.


*** I am sure  your warning will be taken due note of those who might 
be contemplating such.  Question is whether they will be shaking in 
their chappals  from it ? If past and present experience is any guide 
however, that may not be enough of a deterrence. What do you think ? 
Maybe you can as ask a Tamil Tiger or a Kashmir Freedom Fighter if 
they are deterred by warnings of the righteous like yourself.






Will you be able to demonstrate your  commitments to a peaceful 
resolution of the conflict by  standing up and supporting the plea 
of the 'traders'   published in the AT that Barta Bistar posted ?





In case you have not noticed, I have not commented upon the doings 
of any organisations until now


*** That shows your fair-and-balanced outlook and respect for the law 
which, I presume,  holds no one should be held guilty until so proven 
in a court of justice. Such magnanimity is the stuff of legends and 
differentiates a high-court advocate  from ordinary mortals .



 I as a concerned citizen of Assam, would like the fear factor out 
of the minds of the people, who are >afraid to venture out to any 
market areas even during the day time.


*** That must make you unique! Glad you pointed that out.



So for me and for the people of assam, who does not have the means 
to find out who are behind such >heinous acts, these will be just 
random acts of terrorism.


*** There you go! You do know how to distance yourself from the 
realities that surround you with the use of words. Just like Ram 
distanced himself from the humanity of those people who appealed to 
GoI for bringing and end to the violence thru negotiations with just 
one word "TRADERS",  thus discounting their humanity and concerns.


With such intellectual bravery, you all  hold up your civilization as 
a beacon to the world.





Everybody is concerned about only one thing. THAT IT SHOULD STOP.


*** But are YOU? And if you are, why did you AVOID answering the 
question I asked:


Will you be able to demonstrate your  commitments to a peaceful 
resolution of the conflict by  standing up and supporting the plea 
of the 'traders'   published in the AT that Barta Bistar posted ?



But I realize, one gets carried away with all the writings and can 
miss a point or two.  So, would YOU put your money where your mouth 
is and support the plea of these TRADERS, even though they could be 
expended as mere opportunists, to seek the ONLY possible way to bring 
an end to the conflict?


I shall wait with bated breath :-).



I'm on your case because i know that you alongwith some others who 
do not have the guts to give >blood are instigating others to do 
that on your behalf. and that is setting a bad trend.



***  So do you think you are having any effect?  Is your getting on 
my case and extracting the confession that I AM a wimp and a coward 
is doing any good to your cause - namely silencing  me or even those 
other unnamed few?  You don't observe too well do you Nayan?





Now why do you think anyone is getting instigated by what I say or 
write? Because I say good things? Or because I say bad things? Are 
these folks who get instigated by my writings  fools and are willing 
to go die on MY BEHALF  fighting the Indian Army, me who does not 
even live in Assam , because I defend Assam's rights to its resources 
and rights to reform its governance for the BENEFIT of ALL its 
people, not just a select few like you folks want to perpetuate?


That is quite an inference  if you asked me. You flatter me so.

But something tells me it is a rather brazen attempt to intimidate 
me. Unfortunately it does not work here

Nayan. You should have known that  by now.


c-da






At 12:46 PM +0530 5/30/07, Nayanjyoti Medhi wrote:

C-Da,
I did not ask you how many times you have/had been in Assam and 
whether you know Assam. I know that you know.


*** Unlike you brave folks , I am quite a wimp and have neither the 
desire nor the commitments required to become a suicide bomber or 
for that matter any bomber. Thus I also do not instigate others to 
become such. But I thought you were informed enough to have known 
where news of that possibility
came from. FYI, that was what was hinted by none other than ULFA's 
chairman, Rajkhowa. I would not take that lightly, unlike you 
military strategists of Assam Net.  Because that has been a well 
define tren

[Assam] Fwd: Study that you participated in

[Dilip/Dil Deka]

My wife Dil took the lead in contacting the Assamese families in Texas to 
provide the samples for the Assamese group of the Indian-Americans in the 
study. When we met Pragna Patel she spoke eloquently on the subject of genetic 
variations. During our conversation, she expected variation among the Indian 
genetic samples. However as the study says Indian samples form one group and 
there is not much variation in the group.
   
  If you want more information on the subject, please contact Pragna directly.
  Dilip Deka
   
  P.S. This is purely a scientific study in genes and diseases. Do not mix it 
with political discussions that frequent this net, though the Hindustan Times 
attempts to do so.
  === 

Pragna Patel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
  Subject: Study that you participated in 
Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 23:57:33 -0700
From: "Pragna Patel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Dear Study Participant,
  The study on Genetic variation in Indians that you participated in was 
published and it was the subject of an Editorial in Hindustan Times. 
  Please see the following links for details and email me if you have any 
questions or if your information needs to be updated. 
  
  The article is seen at:
  
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17194221
  The Hindustan Times Editorial may be seen at:
  
http://www.usc.edu/schools/medicine/research/institutes/igm/face.php?C=whats_new_patel
  For those of you who do not know, I have moved to University of Southern 
California from Baylor College of Medicine and my new details are below. 
  Many thanks for your participation. It really made a difference!
  We have now launched a research study on the genetics of heart disease and 
type 2 diabetes in Asian Indians. If you or anybody you know is interested in 
this study, please do visit our website: www.usc.edu/RICADIA and send me your 
information or you may directly email me. 
  
  Best wishes, 
  
  Pragna Patel
  
  Pragna Patel
Institute for Genetic Medicine
University of Southern California
  2250 Alcazar Street , IGM 240
Los Angeles, CA 90033
323-442-2751 (office)
323-442-2764 (fax)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  
  

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[Assam] Advertising in India - From the NYT

[Ram Sarangapani]

May 30, 2007
Advertising
Telling India's Modern Women They Have Power, Even Over Their Skin
Tone By HEATHER
TIMMONS 

NEW DELHI, May 29 — The modern Indian woman is independent, in charge — and
does not have to live with her dark skin.

That is the message from a growing number of global cosmetics and skin care
companies, which are expanding their product lines and advertising budgets
in 
Indiato
capitalize on growth in women's disposable income. A common thread
involves creams and soaps that are said to lighten skin tone. Often they are
peddled with a "power" message about taking charge or getting ahead.

Avon,
L'Oréal, Ponds, Garnier, the Body Shop and Jolen are selling lightening
products and all of them face stiff competition from a local giant, Fair and
Lovely, a 
Unileverproduct
that has dominated the market for decades.

Fair and Lovely, with packaging that shows a dark-skinned unhappy woman
morphing into a light-skinned smiling one, once focused its advertising on
the problems a dark-skinned woman might face finding romance. In a sign of
the times, the company's ads now show lighter skin conferring a different
advantage: helping a woman land a job normally held by men, like announcer
at cricket matches. "Fair and Lovely: The Power of Beauty," is the tagline
on the company's newest ad.

Not surprisingly, the rush to sell skin-lightening products has drawn some
criticism, with people saying that the products are at best unsavory and
that they reinforce dangerous prejudices.

When Unilever markets Fair and Lovely, it "doesn't cause bias," but it does
make use of it, said Aneel G. Karnani, a professor with the Stephen M. Ross
School of Business at the University of
Michiganwho
earned a business degree in India.

Global cosmetics companies — which also sell skin-lightening products
throughout Asia and in the United States, where they are marketed as spot or
blemish removers — argue that they are just giving Indian women what they
want.

Taking offense at the products is "a very Western way of looking at the
world," said Ashok Venkatramani, who is in charge of the skin care category
at Unilever's Indian unit, Hindustan Lever. "The definition of beauty in the
Western world is linked to anti-aging," he said. "In Asia, it's all about
being two shades lighter."

Sales of Fair and Lovely have been growing 15 to 20 percent year over year,
Mr. Venkatramani said.

Skin-lightening products are by far the most popular product in India's
fast-growing skin care market, so manufacturers say they ignore them at
their peril. The $318 million market for skin care has grown by 42.7 percent
since 2001, says Euromonitor International, a research firm.

"Half of the skin care market in India is fairness creams," said Didier
Villanueva, country manager for L'Oréal India, and 60 to 65 percent of
Indian women use these products daily. L'Oréal entered this specific market
four years ago with Garnier and L'Oréal products, but so far has a small
market share, he said.

The idea of "glowing fairness" has nothing to do with colonialism, or
idealization of European looks, Mr. Villanueva said. "It's as old as India,"
he said, and "deeply rooted in the culture."

There's no denying that the notion of "fairness," as light skin is known in
India, is heavily ingrained in the culture. Nearly all of Bollywood's top
actresses have quite pale skin, despite the range of skin tones in India's
population of more than a billion people.

Lightening products can damage the skin if they are overused, dermatologists
say, particularly if they contain hydroquinone. The compound reduces melanin
but can leave permanent dark spots in high doses.

Deeply rooted ideas about women's roles are slowly shifting in India. The
percentage of women married before the age of 19, for example, has dropped
sharply. Advertising and marketing gurus are aiming at young, urban Indian
women, who are earning their own money and are potential customers for a
host of products including name-brand clothes, cosmetics and new cars.

India is hardly alone in its pursuit of "fairness." Korea, Japan and China
are big markets for skin-whitening products. And the United States is not
exempt. Ebony magazine ran similar ads relating to full-face "skin
brightening" or "skin whitening" creams aiming at African-American consumers
through the 1950s and 1960s, said Jeanine Collins, communications director
for Ebon

Re: [Assam] Clamour for a political solution to the ULFA demands from the trader community in Assam is a positive development. Every one should look at the ULFA stand as the core issue. NOT to treat i

[Jyotirmoy Sharma]

" ... instead of  shedding crocodile tears like so many of our  
highly intelligent friends here, who are never affected by what is  
happening?"
Everyone who has someone in Assam is affected. Everytime  a bomb  
blast happens I have to check the papers and call home to see that  
everyone is OK.
Is this the "Freedom" that you are proposing ?

JS

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[Assam] Abandoned on Everest!

[Pradip Kumar Datta]

Abandoned on  Everest!
Sudeshna  Sarkar
T he cry was: ‘‘Oxygen.  Oxygen. I must have oxygen.’’ Winds tossed the 
desperate cry among the  implacable mountains in the ‘‘Death Zone’’ — the 
freezing, oxygen-scarce no  man’s land above 8,000 m. But there was no answer.
‘‘I could feel my lungs  bursting,’’ says the wire-thin woman slumped 
despondently in a chair, both her  feet still in bandages and the right thumb.
‘‘My pack grew too heavy and my  body buckled. Then everything grew black,’’ 
says Usha Bista, the Nepali woman  who hit the headlines last week after she 
was abandoned by her teammates on Mt  Everest but was miraculously rescued by a 
group of Westerners and their Sherpas,  The next memory Usha has is of someone 
giving her a vigorous massage.
‘‘There  were three of them,’’ she remembers. ‘‘They dragged me down and tried 
to revive  me. But I couldn't get up.’’
An aerospace engineer with Canadian Air Force,  Meagan McGrath, 29, an unnamed 
Western male climber and his Sherpa came across  Bista on May 22, at a height 
of about 8,600 m while they were descending from a  successful summit of the 
8,848 m peak. They alerted other climbers below,  setting in motion a Herculean 
rescue operation.
The 22-year-old — whose  father, a watchman at Ajmeri Gate in New Delhi, died 
when she was only a year —  was brought up along with nine siblings by her 
mother, an illiterate peasant  woman in Patheriya village in Kailali district, 
one of the most backward areas  in Nepal.
The seven-member Democratic Everest Expedition was headed by Ang  Ngima Sherpa, 
who had summited the peak earlier, Everest legend Ang Rita Sherpa,  known as 
the Snow Leopard because of his ascent 10 times without bottled oxygen,  and 
Dorjee Sherpa, with 12 summits to his credit.
‘‘I felt I was in safe  hands,’’ Usha says. ‘‘Even if I couldn’t make it to the 
summit under my own  steam, they would drag me to the top.’’ However, things 
turned out different.  When the journey to the summit began, Usha says she was 
mentally tortured by the  team, who did not cooperate.
‘‘I had hired a Sherpa with my own money,’’ she  says. ‘‘But Kami Sherpa 
refused to go any further after we reached the last  camp. I have frostbite, he 
told me. I can’t go any further.’’ She also says Ang  Ngima tried to dissuade 
her from going any further.
‘‘I was mad,’’ she says.  ‘‘After having spent so much money and effort and 
having come so close to my  dream, how could I go back? I told them, if no one 
comes with me, I am going on  my own.’’ She says she had lost her water bottle 
and asked her teammates several  times to give her water.
‘‘No one listened,’’ she says. ‘‘Then someone said,  you can drink once you get 
to the summit.’’ When she had climbed up to nearly  8,600 m, Usha could see Ang 
Ngima summit. Incredibly, he was accompanied by Kami  Sherpa, who had claimed 
to have frostbite.
The Bistas want unwary climbers to  know about the pitfalls lurking behind 
expeditions. ‘‘Some of them are into it  to make a quick buck and don’t care 
what happens to the people with them,’’ they  say.
‘‘Snow Leopard Ang Rita never went beyond the third camp. And Dorjee,  after he 
had set out with the Democratic expedition, went off with a western  team.’’ 
Ang Ngima has not contacted the family since the fateful day when he  left Usha 
in the Death Zone. The phone number he had provided now belongs to  someone 
else.
Nepal Mountaineering Association, the key agency for  mountaineering, was 
reported as saying it would undertake an investigation. But  with Nepal’s 
record of not a single commission having ever dealt justice to  victims, it 
remains to be seen if the promise is kept. (IANS)
http://sentinelassam.com/


   
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Re: [Assam] Anti-ULFA slogans rattle Pengere

[Nayanjyoti Medhi]

C-Da,
I did not ask you how many times you have/had been in Assam and whether you
know Assam. I know that you know.

*** Unlike you brave folks , I am quite a wimp and have neither the desire
nor the commitments required to become a suicide bomber or for that matter
any bomber. Thus I also do not instigate others to become such. But I
thought you were informed enough to have known where news of that
possibility
came from. FYI, that was what was hinted by none other than ULFA's chairman,
Rajkhowa. I would not take that lightly, unlike you military strategists of
Assam Net.  Because that has been a well define trend in countless
asymmetrical warfares waged by freedom fighters and terrorists alike in
recent decades, around the globe.

I'm glad that at last you admitted that you are a wimp.
about the suicide bomber thing, no matter who ever says that, Till the
attacks are against the civilians of Assam, they will be deplorable and
taken as an act of terrorism by the people of assam against them and not as
anything else. In case you have not noticed, I have not commented upon the
doings of any organisations until now. I as a concerned citizen of Assam,
would like the fear factor out of the minds of the people, who are afraid to
venture out to any market areas even during the day time. Whoever is doing
this is not helping the people of assam in any way but rather they are
contributing to the backwardness of this region.
Now the question arises as to who are behind these acts of terrorism. No one
has come forward to claim responsibility till now neither has there been any
explanation as to why these acts has been committed. I as a private citizen
do not have the means to find out who are behind these. So for me and for
the people of assam, who does not have the means to find out who are behind
such heinous acts, these will be just random acts of terrorism. But I have
asked you to come and enlighten us as you seem to know more about these.

But your non acceptance of my offer would only make me come to a conclusion
that although you know more than us, you for some unknown reason are
unwilling to share it with us and so further make me conclude that you are
not sincere to the thoughts you defend vehemently in assamnet.
And as to your knowledge about why these things are happening, no one in
assam is concerned as to why its happening. Everybody is concerned about
only one thing. THAT IT SHOULD STOP.

Thus you can count on hearing from me again . Don't forget , if my analyses
and reasoning had no influence, you would NOT be on my case like crows over
june-bugs :-), as they might say here in the US midwest.

You are right. I'm on your case because i know that you alongwith some
others who do not have the guts to give blood are instigating others to do
that on your behalf. and that is setting a bad trend. it is getting the
young peole of assam into early graves. And  they also say many others
things in US midwest. I would not like to say that to a  Assamese elder no
matter how crazy he may be.

Regards,

Nayan

p.s: i will be in Geneva for 2 weeks, so replies may be a late in coming.
please bear with me.





On 5/30/07, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 Hi Nayan:


At 11:19 PM +0530 5/29/07, Nayanjyoti Medhi wrote:

C Da,



Don't beat around the bush. Just say in a plain 'YES' or 'NO' whether you
are coming or not








*** I have already been in Assam twice this year.  Thanks much for your
generosity in offering guide services, but I really don't need it. You may
not know this, but I happen to know Assam fairly well.




You have forgotten that here in India, the government is by the people,
so,



*** You are quite the humorist, aren't you :-)?  I wished you had read  a
recent address by Newsweek editor Fareed Zakaria and what he thinks of
Indian democracy.  If I can locate it again, I will send a copy of it for
your reading pleasure. BTW, Zakaria is quite an India promoter, not like
yours truly at all :-).




>If you want I can get all the families of the victims send an invitation
to you.


*** That will not at all be necessary Nayan. I happen to know all about
their plight , and WHY it continues. Thanks to Assam and Indian
intelligentsia's role in helping perpetuate the tragedy.




> I had refrained from answering your questions then because someone else
had answered them >better than i could ever have. And if you remember I had
said that.


*** If I am not mistaken, you wrote that you will wait to hear what OTHERS
say about the first set of questions. And I don't recall anyone attempted to
answer it, as I expected none to.


>Even recently Chittaranjan Da had replied to some of your queries in a
very liberal manner to which I >throughly agree and can't think of adding
anything more.


*** I haven't had a chance to reply to Chitta yet on that, but rest
assured there WAS NOTHING that resembled an answer to HOW he or his
supporters and admirers plan to end the conflict in Assam, unless you
consider w