Re: [Assam] Indian Cell Phone Myths

[Malabika Brahma]

I agree with the above statement about REAL and FREE.
   
  Although there has been move about Free markets in India, the bureaucracy 
is still too stifling and still promotes/encourages underhand dealings. Until 
India remedies the centrally controlled dysfunctional bureaucratic set up, it 
will take decades for the people reap benefits free market economy or to get 
any social justice.
   
  Yes, the ENRON saga did happen in a free market economy. But SOVIET and EAST 
BLOCK saga or NO REGULAR ELECTRICITY SAGA in the backwaters of Dhubri 
district and Namti also happened in controlled economy with ever meddling 
dysfunctional bureaucratic set up.
   
  ENRON saga in the US led to increased pressure from the Feds for corporate 
transparency and accountability, as it should in a country with Free Market 
where the role of the government is primarily to enforce the rule of law.  
   
  Besides signs of stifling bureaucracy and deeply faulty systemic and 
institutional structures  (to quota c-da) we encounter another symptom with 
Indian ethos.  On our last visit to India, I had bought hot coffee from Kolkata 
airport. The hot coffee was served in ultra thin plastic cups, which proved to 
be extremely hot to hold. When I protested and asked for an extra cup to lessen 
the impact of burning heat on my poor hands, the sales person displayed the 
least concern.
   
  The emphasis of Indian business is still short-term profit with little 
respect for customer care. I suspect the same applied to the current cell phone 
market in India.
   
  But as market economy grows and if the grip of stifling bureaucracy is 
reduced and REAL FREE ECONOMY takes shape, things are bound to change.
   
  At least that's what we have seen in the rest of the FREE world. 
  
Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I do not take issue with the proven efficacy of  REAL competition and 
FREE market forces. But the keywords are REAL and FREE. In a land where the 
make-believe is readily accepted in lieu of the real thing by its 
intelligentsia EVEN when the truths are open for all to see and that need to 
tell the world they are no push-overs as far as modernity is involved, the 
nuances of the REAL and the FREE takes on huge importance. One only needs to 
look at the ENRON saga. Are there Enron like goings on in the cellphone 
industry in Assam?  I don't know. But from the comments I heard from users from 
Guahati to Dibrugarh to Namti to Tawang--I have to suspect there is.
  

  The fact of Dhubri's or Guahati's or Namti's lack of paved roads, reliable 
electricity or potable water or sanitation systems and the governments' failure 
that it points to ought not to be issues to be forgotten or
  explained away as mere  ideology rooted failure of governance  and thus 
implied that it could be all remedied by the 'free market gods' is  where the 
fallacy is.
  

  That Indian governance is dysfunctional has little to do with ideological 
hang-ups but everything to do with deeply faulty systemic and institutional 
structures that Indian intelligentsia has neither been aware of nor have been 
willing to tackle.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  At 9:07 PM + 11/19/07, Malabika Brahma wrote:
  Soon Reliance and others will be forced to improve their service if they want 
to survive and prosper. But they have achieved to provide at least 
rudimentary service in 5/6 years of operation (in cell phones) which government 
failed to provide for (take electricity) in last 60 years. My village in 
Dhubri district does not yet have regular electricity, paved roads and clean 
water supply (we rely on wells) after 60 years but does receive NextTel cell 
phone signals. People who never had land phone lines had cell phones as the 
first phone.  

mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { FONT-SIZE: 10pt; 
FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma } Cellphone Cos are like Indian IT Miracles.
Each one is a Benami shadow of likes of Eriksson/Siemens/Nokia/Motorola.Even 
screws are imported.- mostly from China. Customs do not hold them for Minutes. 
And they were/are being milked for Upfront+Below the Table n000Crores@ time for 
licensing CeNtrallyat Delhi
Remember Pramod Mahajan's Brother fuming and shooting him dead
-You took 5000 crores and did nothing to US?
Currently there is something bigger happening-all Hush Hush:
Reliance trying to corner huge Spectrum(allowed to be a cOuntry's right by ITU 
rules)and  all the other players crying out loudYou cannot do that.
So they can Cheat the Economy  as they like--Licensed to Kill.

{Compare mine --a few Welding/Sawing machines not released by Kolkata 
CustomsWhere is it written--the address of the Party to be Notified?And of 
course I have to be penalized for Demurrage that longer.As per  Rules. 
Nedfi--Oh they are Busy Developing Look East!!!}
mm

-
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:50:08 -0600
To: assam@assamnet.org

Re: [Assam] Indian Cell Phone Myths

[Malabika Brahma]

   *** To point to totalitarianism or a controlled economy as the only 
alternative to  what 
 gave rise to Enron or Enron like  results is a false argument.
   
  Actually the argument was quite to the contrary. Totalitarianism ( in the 
form of omipresent Delhi rule) or a controlled economy ( through the hangovers 
of dysfunctional license raj) has produced ills that affect lives in the 
sub-continent that is million times worst that the Enron saga in the US.  India 
rands 126 out of 177 nations in terms of Human Development Index. And this not 
solely an Indian experience.
   
  
 
    There has to be a reason. What is it/are they? How will they 
change? WHO will 
 change them? WHEN?
 Those are the questions that affect  Assam, as it does India and 
all it controls.
   
  The reasons are obvious - humans like to improve their quality of life. Who 
will change - you and I. 
   
  When - when we question the relevance of the dysfunctional set up and adopt 
more pragmatic set up. A FREE market economy supported by an accountable govt 
enforcing the rule of law is a tool that has produced result in the rest of the 
world.
   
  In the Indian context,  we also need a change of the mindset before we can 
ensure free FREE. Amongst other things this includes the courage of the nation 
to respect rights and sentiments of those who have little faith or trust in the 
system that they consider dysfunctional and seek a way to liberate their 
lives from the existing set up some consider beneficial for their own selfish 
reasons.
  
Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
At 4:26 PM + 11/20/07, Malabika Brahma wrote:
  I agree with the above statement about REAL and FREE. Although there has 
been move about Free markets in India, the bureaucracy is still too stifling 
and still promotes/encourages underhand dealings. Until India remedies the 
centrally controlled dysfunctional bureaucratic set up, it will take decades 
for the people reap benefits free market economy or to get any social justice.  


  *** The  'bureaucracy' is only the tip of the iceberg.
  

  

  

  

 Yes, the ENRON saga did happen in a free market economy. But SOVIET and 
EAST BLOCK saga or NO REGULAR ELECTRICITY SAGA in the backwaters of Dhubri 
district and Namti also happened in controlled economy with ever meddling 
dysfunctional bureaucratic set up.  


  

  *** To point to totalitarianism or a controlled economy as the only 
alternative to  what gave rise to Enron or Enron like  results is a false 
argument.
  

  

  

  The following is a good illustration of that.
  

  

  

  

  
   ENRON saga in the US led to increased pressure from the Feds for corporate 
transparency and accountability, as it should in a country with Free Market 
where the role of the government is primarily to enforce the rule of law.  


  The key phrase here is as it should.  And if we look at the Indian 
condition, will there be a dearth of what SHOULD have been? Question is WHY do 
they NOT happen? History keeps repeating itself as if it is the ONLY  way.
  

  There has to be a reason. What is it/are they? How will they change? WHO will 
change them? WHEN?
  Those are the questions that affect  Assam, as it does India and all it 
controls.
  

  

  

  But as market economy grows and if the grip of stifling bureaucracy is 
reduced and REAL FREE ECONOMY takes shape, things are bound to change.  


  

  *** So the hope is that a REAL and FREE ECONOMY is all that is needed to 
deliver India to the promised land and thast it will in due course.
  

  I hope it was merely a slip of the keyboard , and not a well considered 
conclusion  to bank on:-).
  

  
 
  

  

  

  

  

  


 Besides signs of stifling bureaucracy and deeply faulty systemic and 
institutional structures  (to quota c-da) we encounter another symptom with 
Indian ethos.  On our last visit to India, I had bought hot coffee from Kolkata 
airport. The hot coffee was served in ultra thin plastic cups, which proved to 
be extremely hot to hold. When I protested and asked for an extra cup to lessen 
the impact of burning heat on my poor hands, the sales person displayed the 
least concern. The emphasis of Indian business is still short-term profit 
with little respect for customer care. I suspect the same applied to the 
current cell phone market in India. But as market economy grows and if the 
grip of stifling bureaucracy is reduced and REAL FREE ECONOMY takes shape, 
things are bound to change. At least that's what we have seen in the rest 
of the FREE world.  
Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  I do not take issue with the proven efficacy of  REAL competition and FREE 
market forces. But the keywords are REAL and FREE. In a land where the 
make-believe is readily accepted in lieu of the real thing by its 
intelligentsia EVEN when the truths are open for all to see and that need to 
tell the world

[Assam] Cell Phone Vs Electricity in India

[Malabika Brahma]

Cell phone services are available all over India at a very reasonable rate with 
excellent service, however electricity is not.

This is because cell phone was considered a luxury and hence left to the market 
forces whereas electricity was considered essential and left for the government 
to  provide.

Government always messes up whereas fair  market dynamics does not.

Utpal



   
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Re: [Assam] mainland vs northeast in delhi

[Malabika Brahma]

What do you think is a better choice :

1.  Ask the NE people to be more mainstream like in their food or dress 
habits. May be even suggest they undergo  plastic surgery to look more 
mainstream like .

2. Educate the mainstream Indians that India is a diverse country and not all 
look like Harayanvi and honorable practises like dowry and female infanticide.


Looks like Delhi  police will choose option 1.


Priyankoo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: and why  people from the NE region MUST 
assimilate to the mainstream culture? In case of Assam haven't we seen more 
than 90% of the non-Assamese population never trying to assimilate with the 
local culture?

If there is a failure on part of the NE population in assimilating to the 
mainstream culture, may be the reason is the same as why the non- Assamese 
population in Assam never assimilated to the local culture/s.

best
Priyankoo

Priyankoo [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Assimilation is not the aim of the 
booklet. It just forces some dos and don'ts to people from a particular region. 

In any case, a booklet is never helpful for any kind of assimilation.

best
Priyankoo

SANDIP DUTTA [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There is no problem with assimilation 
for students or citizens from Assam. This advisory should be better worded and 
directed at our bros from Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur who stay apart not just 
in Delhi but in other parts of India too.
  
 Rgds,
 Sandip


 - Original Message 
From: Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To:  xourov pathok [EMAIL PROTECTED]; assam@assamnet.org
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 7:33:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Assam] mainland vs northeast in delhi

 I wonder if similar circular was issued to Indians in the US ( regarding the 
spices we use), how would the Indians react ?
 

xourov pathok [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 having been in delhi for sometime as a student, i see
it is getting worse.

x

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070712/asp/frontpage/story_8048182.asp

Right  intentions, wrong message
- Delhi police accused of dividing India into
‘mainland’  ‘Northeast’
NISHIT DHOLABHAI

New Delhi, July 11: Delhi police’s advisory to youths
from the Northeast studying in the capital is being
seen by most as segregating the region from the
so-called  mainland.

The minister for development of the northeastern
region (DoNER), Mani Shankar Aiyar, had only recently
discouraged the use of this syntax. “There is no
mainland, you are the mainland,” he had told a
reporter in Shillong.

Aiyar was unavailable for comment on the booklet
released by Delhi police, but those who responded
seemed to cringe at the thought of  someone advising
students from the region to change their food habits,
customs and manner of dressing to assimilate into the
“mainstream”.

Dipankar Gupta, professor of sociology at Jawaharlal
Nehru University, said the police’s advice not to
create a “ruckus  in the neighbourhood” by cooking
“smelly dishes” and dress decently was gratuitous, to
say the least.

“The police come up with these advisories, but there
is no implementation. There should be a departmental
memo of some sort that if a person from the Northeast
is harmed, punishment  will be stringent,” Gupta said.

Moses Kharbithi, who is doing his MPhil at JNU, said
the advisory was tantamount to undermining the ability
of Northeast students in New Delhi to assimilate. “I
wonder if they have given such booklets to students
from the South,” he said.

Kharbithi said the fact that the booklet was
well-intentioned could not mask the sense  of
discrimination.

Asom Gana Parishad MP Arun Kumar Sarma and his
Congress colleague Kirip Chaliha said there was no
denying the need to spruce up security for students
from the region in view of some incidents in the
recent past. But commenting on food habits  and
clothing was unfair, the duo said.

“How can one tell somebody what to eat and how to
dress?” Sarma asked.

Chaliha said he would take up the issue with the authorities.




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Dex matho eta dharona, thikonar xex xari...
   

-
Food fight

Re: [Assam] mainland vs northeast in delhi

[Malabika Brahma]

I wonder if similar circular was issued to Indians in the US ( regarding the 
spices we use), how would the Indians react ?
  

xourov pathok [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  having been in delhi for sometime as a student, i see
it is getting worse.

x

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070712/asp/frontpage/story_8048182.asp

Right intentions, wrong message
- Delhi police accused of dividing India into
‘mainland’  ‘Northeast’
NISHIT DHOLABHAI

New Delhi, July 11: Delhi police’s advisory to youths
from the Northeast studying in the capital is being
seen by most as segregating the region from the
so-called mainland.

The minister for development of the northeastern
region (DoNER), Mani Shankar Aiyar, had only recently
discouraged the use of this syntax. “There is no
mainland, you are the mainland,” he had told a
reporter in Shillong.

Aiyar was unavailable for comment on the booklet
released by Delhi police, but those who responded
seemed to cringe at the thought of someone advising
students from the region to change their food habits,
customs and manner of dressing to assimilate into the
“mainstream”.

Dipankar Gupta, professor of sociology at Jawaharlal
Nehru University, said the police’s advice not to
create a “ruckus in the neighbourhood” by cooking
“smelly dishes” and dress decently was gratuitous, to
say the least.

“The police come up with these advisories, but there
is no implementation. There should be a departmental
memo of some sort that if a person from the Northeast
is harmed, punishment will be stringent,” Gupta said.

Moses Kharbithi, who is doing his MPhil at JNU, said
the advisory was tantamount to undermining the ability
of Northeast students in New Delhi to assimilate. “I
wonder if they have given such booklets to students
from the South,” he said.

Kharbithi said the fact that the booklet was
well-intentioned could not mask the sense of
discrimination.

Asom Gana Parishad MP Arun Kumar Sarma and his
Congress colleague Kirip Chaliha said there was no
denying the need to spruce up security for students
from the region in view of some incidents in the
recent past. But commenting on food habits and
clothing was unfair, the duo said.

“How can one tell somebody what to eat and how to
dress?” Sarma asked.

Chaliha said he would take up the issue with the authorities.




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[Assam] IMHO ??????????????????

[Malabika Brahma]

If you were like me who pondered for days what does the modern acronyms like 
IMHO, LOL, ROFLMAO meant, there is a list of acronyms that is becoming a part 
of cyber lingo
   
  HTH 
   
  TTFN
   
  Cyber English   Non Cyber English
  =   ==
  AFAIC   As far as I'm concerned AFAIK   As far as I know AFK  
 Away from keyboard BRB   Be right back BTDT   Been there, done that
 BTW   By the way BUAG   Butt-ugly ASCII graphic C/C   Comments and 
criticism EOM   End of message FAQ   Frequently Asked Question. FTW 
  For the win FWIW   For what it's worth FYI   For your information 
HTH   Hope this helps IANAL   I am not a lawyer IIRC   If I recall 
correctly IMHO   In my humble opinion IMNSHO   In my not so humble 
opinion IMO   In my opinion IOW   In other words l33t or 1337   
From elite. This has become a term used to describe the informal 
communication of Internet gaming. L33t speak is easily identified by the 
substitution of number and other characters for regular letters; e.g., hackers 
becomes h4XX0rz. LFG   Looking for group, usually used in MMORPGsLMAO   
Laughing my butt off LOL   Laughing out loud MMORPG  
 Massive, multiplayer, online role-playing game, such as World of Warcraft or 
Star Wars Galaxies MOTAS   Member of the appropriate sex MOTOS   Member 
of the opposite sex MOTSS   Member of the same sex NG   Newsgroup 
n00b   From newbie, meaning a newcomer not yet familiar with the rules 
OTOH   On the other hand PWN   Usage of the term own, as in I PWNed 
you! RL   Real Life, as opposed to the Internet ROFL   Rolling on the 
floor laughing ROFLMAO   Rolling on the floor laughing my butt off RTFM 
  Read The Fine Manual. . SO   Significant other, used to refer to 
someone's romantic partner without making any assumptions about gender or legal 
status TLA   Three letter acronym TTFN   Ta ta for now TTYL   Talk 
to you later w00t   An expression of joy WFN   Wrong forum, noob 
WTF   What the heck YMMH   You might mean here YMMV   Your mileage may 
vary {g}   Grin {BG}   Big grin
   

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[Assam] My Tyrst with Indian Air Force :: Sir Thomas Elmhirst

[Malabika Brahma]

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1950s/Elmhirst.html

Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  The First Non British/ Non Anglo 
Indian Air Marshal of IAF was a Bengali - Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee.

Here are the Air Marshals of India

 Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh
 

 Name


 Tenure

 Air Marshal Sir Thomas Elmhirst


 15 August 1947-21 February 1950

 Air Marshal Sir Ronald Lvelaw Chapman


 22 February 1950-9 December 1951

 Air Marshal Sir Gerald Gibbs


 10 December 1951-31 March 1954

 Air Marshal S. Mukherjee


 1 April 1954-8 November 1960

 Air Marshal A.M.Engineer


 1 December 1960-31 July 1964

 Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh


 1 August1964-15 July 1969

 Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal


 16 July 1969-15 January 1973

 Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra


 16 January 1973-31 January 1976

 Air Chief Marshal H. Moolgavkar


 1 February 1976-31 August 1978

 Air Chief Marshal I.H.Latif


 1 December 1978-31 August 1981

 Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh


 1 September 1981-3 September 1984

 Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre


 4 September 1984-1 July 1985

 Air Chief Marshal D.A. La Fontaine


 3 July 1985-31 July 1988

 Air Chief Marshal S.K. Mehra


 1 August 1988-31 July 1991

 Air Chief Marshal N.C. Suri


 1 August 1991-31 July 1993

 Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul


 1 August 1993-31 December 1995

 Air Chief Marshal S.K. Sareen


 31 December 1995-31 December 1998

 Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis


 1 January 1999- 31 December 2001

 Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishna Swamy


 31 December 2001 - 1 January 2005

 Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi


 1 January 2005 - till date

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Re: [Assam] Air Marshal spills beans on 'hypocrisy'

[Malabika Brahma]

The First Non British/ Non Anglo Indian Air Marshal of IAF was a Bengali - Air 
Marshal Subroto Mukherjee.

Here are the Air Marshals of India

 Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh
 

 Name


 Tenure

 Air Marshal Sir Thomas Elmhirst


 15 August 1947-21 February 1950

 Air Marshal Sir Ronald Lvelaw Chapman


 22 February 1950-9 December 1951

 Air Marshal Sir Gerald Gibbs


 10 December 1951-31 March 1954

 Air Marshal S. Mukherjee


 1 April 1954-8 November 1960

 Air Marshal A.M.Engineer


 1 December 1960-31 July 1964

 Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh


 1 August1964-15 July 1969

 Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal


 16 July 1969-15 January 1973

 Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra


 16 January 1973-31 January 1976

 Air Chief Marshal H. Moolgavkar


 1 February 1976-31 August 1978

 Air Chief Marshal I.H.Latif


 1 December 1978-31 August 1981

 Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh


 1 September 1981-3 September 1984

 Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre


 4 September 1984-1 July 1985

 Air Chief Marshal D.A. La Fontaine


 3 July 1985-31 July 1988

 Air Chief Marshal S.K. Mehra


 1 August 1988-31 July 1991

 Air Chief Marshal N.C. Suri


 1 August 1991-31 July 1993

 Air Chief Marshal S.K. Kaul


 1 August 1993-31 December 1995

 Air Chief Marshal S.K. Sareen


 31 December 1995-31 December 1998

 Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis


 1 January 1999- 31 December 2001

 Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishna Swamy


 31 December 2001 - 1 January 2005

 Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi


 1 January 2005 - till date


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Re: [Assam] An Engali ( or Benglish?) Poem

[Malabika Brahma]

Banerjee Babu Going Going For Tiger Hunting
  But Banerjee Babu Coming Back Running Running with Tiger Following Following

Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Life's many  dilemmas :-) !
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  At 6:29 AM +0530 3/16/07, mc mahant wrote:
  Enjoy ed
  What should be Title  ?
  
   Banerjee and the Tiger   
   Bannerji tried to avenge but ran for too soon   
   Banerjee's priorities in lifequestion of survival
  mm

-
From: Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: assam@assamnet.org
Subject: [Assam] An Engali ( or Benglish?) Poem
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:59:10 -0500

blockquote, dl, ul, ol, li {padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;}  This came from a 
friend in Europe. Enjoy :-)  
  - Original Message -
  From
  To:
  Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2007 2:54 PM
  Subject: A Bengali?? English poem
  
   Through the jongole I am went
  On shooting Tiger I am bent
  Bashtaard Tiger has eaten my wife
  No doubt I will avenge poor darling's life
  Too much quiet, snakes and leeches
  But I not fear these sons of beeches
  Hearing loud noise I am jumping with start
  But noise is coming from damn fool's heart
  Taking care not to be fright
  I am clutching rifle tight with eye to sight
  Should Tiger come I will shoot and fall him down
  Then like hero return to native town
  Then through trees I am espying one cave
  I am telling self - Bannerjee be brave
  I am now proceeding with too much care
  From far I smell this Tiger's lair
  My leg shaking, sweat coming, I start pray
  I think I will shoot Tiger some other day
  Turning round I am going to flee
  But Tiger giving bloody roar spotting Bengalee
  He bounding from cave like footballer Pele
  I run shouting Kali Ma tumi kothay gele
  Through the jongole I am running
  With Tiger on my tail closer looming
  I am telling that never in life
  I will risk again for my damn wife
 
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Re: [Assam] Fwd: Bangla alphabet

[Malabika Brahma]

Thanks for forwarding that. That was awsome and have forwarded to all my 
Bengali friends. All of us had a jolly good laugh.

Can some one try the same on the Assamese ?

Utpal

Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Re: Fwd: Bangla alphabet  
 
  Henjoy! *A* is for Awpheesh (as in Office). This is where the average 
Kolkakatan goes and spends a day hard at work. And if he works for the 'Vest 
Bengal
 Gawrment' he will arrive at 10, wipe his forehead till 11, have a tea break at 
12, throw around a few files at 12.30, break for lunch at 1, smoke an
 unfiltered cigarette at 2, break or tea at 3, sleep sitting down at 4 and go 
home at 4:30. It's a hard life! *B* is for Bhision. For some reason many 
Bengalis don't have good bhision. In fact in Kolkata most people are wearing 
spectacles all the time. *C* is for Chappell. Currently, this is the Bengali 
word for the Devil, for the worst form of evil. In the night mothers put their 
kids to sleep saying,
 'Na ghumaley Chappell eshey dhorey niye jabe.' *D* is for Debashish or any 
other name starting with Deb. By an ancient law every fourth Bengali Child has 
to be named Debashish. So you have a
 Debashish everywhere and trying to get creative they are also called Deb, 
Debu, Deba with variations like Debopriyo, Deboprotim, Debojyoti, etc. thrown 
in at times. *E* is for Eeesh. This is a very common Bengali exclamation made 
famous by Aishwarya Rai in the movie Devdas. It is estimated that on an average 
a
 Bengali, especially Bengali women, use eeesh 10,089 times every year.   'Ei 
Morechhey' is a close second to Eeesh. *F* is for Feeesh. These are creatures 
that swim in river and seas and are a favourite food of the Bengalis. Despite 
the fact that a fish market has
 such strong smells, with one sniff a Bengali knows if a fish is all right. If 
not, he will say 'eeesh what feeesh is theesh!' *G* is for Good name. Every 
Bengali boy will have a good name like Debashish or Deboprotim and a pet name 
like Motka, Bhombol, Thobla, etc. While every
 Bengali girls will have pet names like Tia, Tuktuki, Mishti, Khuku, et cetera. 
*H* is for Harmonium. This the Bengali equivalent of a rock guitar. Take four 
Bengalis and a Harmonium and you have the successors to The Bheatles!  *I* is 
for lleesh. This is a feeesh with 10,000 bones which would kill any ordinary 
person, but which the Bengalis eat with releeesh! *J* is for Jhola. No 
selfrespecting Bengali is complete without his Jhola. It is a shapeless cloth 
bag where he keeps all his belongings and he fits an
 amazing number of things in. Even as you read this there are two million 
jholas bobbling around Kolkata, and they all look exactly the same! Note
 that 'Jhol' as in Maachher Jhol is a close second. *K* is for Kee Kaando !. It 
used to be the favourite Bengali exclamation till eeesh took over because of 
Aishwarya Rai (now Kee Kando's agent is
 trying to hire Bipasha Basu). *L* is for Lungi, the dress for all occasions. 
People in Kolkata manage to play football and cricket wearing it not to mention 
the daily trip in the
 morning to the local bajaar. Now there is talk of a lungi expedition to Mt 
Everest. *M* is for Minibus. These are dangerous half buses whose antics would 
effortlessly frighten the living daylights out of all James Bond stuntmen as
 well as Formula 1 race car drivers. *N* is for Nangto. This is the Bengali 
word for Naked. It is the most interesting naked word in any language! *O* is 
for Oil. The Bengalis believe that a touch of mustard oil will cure anything 
from cold (oil in the nose), to earache (oil in the ear), to cough
 (oil on the throat) to piles (oil you know where!). *P* is for Phootball. This 
is always a phavourite phassion of the Kolkattan. Every Bengali is born an 
expert in this game. The two biggest clubs there
 are Mohunbagan and East Bengal and when they play the city comes to a stop. 
 *Q* is for Queen. This really has nothing to do with the Bengalis or Kolkata, 
but it's the only Q word I could think of at this moment.   There's
 also Quilt but they never use them in Kolkata. *R* is for Robi Thakur. Many 
many years ago Rabindranath got the Nobel Prize. This has given the right to 
all Bengalis no matter where they are to
 frame their acceptance speeches as if they were directly related to the great 
poet and walk with their head held high. This also gives Bengalis the 
birthright to look down at Delhi and Mumbai and of course 'all non-Bengawlees'! 
Note that 'Rawshogolla' comes a close second ! *S* is for Shourav. Now that 
they finally produced a genuine cricketer and a captain, Bengalis think that he 
should be allowed to play until he is 70
 years old. Of course they will see to it that he stays in good form by doing a 
little bit of 'jawggo' and 'maanot'. *T* is for Trams. Hundred years later 
there are still trams in Kolkata. Of course if you are in a hurry it's faster 
to walk. *U* is for Aambrela. When a Bengali baby is born he is handed one. *V* 
is 

[Assam] From Hindustantimes :: How Racist we can be

[Malabika Brahma]

Food destroyed at Jagannath temple after foreigner's entry

Indo-Asian News Service

Bhubaneshwar, March 2, 2007








In a country where millions go to bed hungry, food worth Rs 1 million, meant 
for holy offering at Orissa's Jagannath temple was destroyed on Friday because 
a foreigner had entered the shrine, an act seen as defiling the premises.

Priests at the temple in Puri, 56 km from here, also performed rituals to 
cleanse the shrine after Paul Rodgier, a 55-year-old American Christian, 
visited it on Thursday afternoon.

The priests fined him Rs 209 when he pleaded that he was not aware of any 
restriction on the entry of foreigners to the temple. Rodgier had reportedly 
come to the government-run National Thermal Power Corp in Angul district on 
official work a few days ago.

The shrine administration then decided to destroy the food that was prepared 
for offering to the deities, temple official Laxmidhar Pujapanda told the 
agency. A mud pit was dug inside the premises and the holy offering was thrown 
in it.

The priests, who had stopped all the rituals of the temple since Thursday 
afternoon, also performed purification rituals on Friday, he said. The kitchen 
areas of the temple were also washed thoroughly, he added.

Foreigners are not allowed to enter leading Hindu temples in Orissa, including 
the Jagannath temple at Puri and the Lingaraj temple here.

An American woman, Pamela K Fleig, who had converted from Christianity to 
Hinduism after marrying an Uttar Pradesh resident, was denied entry into the 
11th century Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar in 2005.

Thailand's Crown Princess Sirindhorn was also not given permission to visit the 
Jagannath temple the same year because she is a foreigner and a Buddhist.

Even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a born Hindu was not allowed to enter 
the temple when she was in power because she had married a Parsi.

   

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Re: [Assam] 'Assam' is an Indonesian Dish

[Malabika Brahma]

Actually the language spoken by majority of Malaysians and Indonesians is called Bahasha (derivative of Bhasha). Bahasha Malaysia and Bahasha Indonesia. Even the base of Filipino is Bahasha with a lot of Portugese influence. You do find a lot of Sanskrit influence in Bahasha. For example, there was a movement in Malaysia in the 60s to wrestle the trade and commerce from the Han Chinese businessman in favor of the local Malaysians. It was called the Bhoomi-Putra (sons of soil) movement.Rajiv Baruah [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello, Both Malay and Indonesia speak Malay - so asam means sour in both countries. best Rajiv -- Original Message --Received: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 12:41:28 PM SGTFrom: "Barua25" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>To: "Santanoo Medhi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
 Subject: Re: [Assam] 'Assam' is an Indonesian DishThat is interesting. Rajib told that the word Assam means 'tenga' in Indonesia. Do you know any thing about the word meaning in Malaysia? Rajen Barua  - Original Message -  From: Santanoo Medhi  To: assam@assamnet.org  Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 6:15 AM Subject: Re: [Assam] 'Assam' is an Indonesian Dish  well. this dish is also popular in Singapore and Malaysia. This one tastes like a cross between :tom yam of Thailand"and our ""tenga" I have not eaten the version with prawns as I have seen mostly that they dish with made with fish head. In the menu it is listed as "Assam Fish head curry". it is delicious.   santanoo  - Original Message -From: Barua25  To: assam@assamnet.org  Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 9:47 AM Subject: [Assam] 'Assam' is an
 Indonesian Dish  Do you know that 'Assam' is also a popular Indonesian Dish. Heard it before but did not know what it is. Here is the recipe.Next time you go an Indonesian Restaurant, ask for it. RBRB   mI am Raj from Sydney Australia  here is a recipe of a Dish which I enjoy when I travel to Bali Indonesia. Hope you like it too.  E-mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED]  Prawns Udang Goreng Assam (Indonesian)  Ingredients  350 gm Prawns with tail, peeled  deveined 60 ml Vegetable Oil 80 gm Onions cleaned  chopped. 10 gm Garlic fresh  chopped 100 ml Tamarind pulp 30 gm Lemon Grass crushed 10 gm Galangal Root or substitute with fresh Tumeric Root 5 nos Lime Leaves or
 substitute with Curry Leaves 2 nos Star Aniseed 10 gm Chillies Red (long) chopped 1 no Cinnamon quills whole 3 gm Cummin (jeera) seeds 100 gm diced tinned Tomatoes or peeled ripe diced tomatoes Salt  Pepper to taste  Method:Remove spike but keep the tails on the prawns.  Maninate in red chilli powder, salt, half the tamarind pulp, cummin seeds and corn flour  quickly deep fry in hot oil. Do not over cook as prawns turn dark. Must have good colour. Keep prawns aside. .  Method for sauce: Fry chopped onions in oil with chopped garlic  sweat onions well. Add lime leaf, bashed lemon grass stalk, galanga, star anise, cinnamon quill, chopped fresh long red chilli  chunky tinned peeled tomato. Cook well  till sauce has a coarse cosistency. Season with salt  pepper.  Serve prawns on hot turmeric rice or steamed jasmine rice  top with sauce on prawns  rice. Garnish with coriander sprig.
 home | saroj's cookbook | non-veggies | amul recipes | contributions | features | glossary | tips | mailbag | ask saroj | links   You can write to us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] The information contained in this e-mail is intended only for the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. Its contents (including any attachments) may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not an intended recipient you must not use, disclose, disseminate, copy or print its contents. If you receive this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete and destroy the message.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org___assam mailing
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[Assam] BBC on India

[Malabika Brahma]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/5125810.stm 
		 
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Re: [Assam] Beef eating; Much ado over nothing

[Malabika Brahma]

WevisitedBali, Indonesia in 1995 (Our honeymoon). Bali is about 98% Hindu and the people have been Hindu for last 2000 years. Interestingly, the Hindus in Bali eat beef. Although other animals are offered to the God in Balinese version of Hinduism, beef or cow is not offered to God.The life of Balinese Hindus revolve around their temples ( temples are everywhere, in their courtyard, front yard, farm land). Hinduism reached Bali during the Cholas and Pallava's about 2000 years back.Most of the Balinese temples are a blend of South East Asian architecture (slanted roof)and South Indian architecture. However, the older temples are distinctly South Indian type. We had been to a temple (Guha Gaja) which is about 2000 years old and was excavated around the turn of last century. This temple and the statues (I think I saw Ganesh) were
 definitely South Indian style.Have a very interesting incident to narrate. My wife (Malabika) decided to wear Mekhela Chador for one of the dinner evenings at a restaurant where Balinese Version of Ramayana was being played. Seeing my wife in Mekela (which they thought was Sari), the manager of the restaurant came and asked if we were Indian and we were Hindu. When my wife replied in affirmative, the manager offered us a 50% off the dinner bill . Of course I did not tell him that I am an Atheist :)UtpalChan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Sure, C'da. You and Barua could make all the rules, but then it has to ultimately be followed by the masses, don't you think? :-)*** Hammurabi I ain't Ram. Not into rule making or law-giving. In
 fact I am quite the opposite. I would just as soon tear those laws and rules that rob people of freedoms down. Like the rule about beef-eating prohibition.That is why I was curious about Mohan's explanation that ""But from a certain point in time we don't eat Beef." and how that jives with Hinduism not having any dogmas.You did not answer my question either.Appears to me, in the absence of a better explanation from someone in the know, that "Hinduism is not a religion, but a way of life" was a non-response to the question of what defines Hinduism.At 9:22 AM -0500 6/20/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:I think Mohan's response seems to be the one that makes a lot of sense. (BTW: Welcome Mohan to the net)C'da, I think the 'Hinduism is a way of life' idea was popularized by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in his book ' A Hindu View of Life'
 "Does it therefore mean that one can make one's own RULES or ethos, on the fly, to suit one's need on a given day?"Sure, C'da. You and Barua could make all the rules, but then it has to ultimately be followed by the masses, don't you think? :-)--Ram___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org 
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Re: [Assam] Pondicherry is now Puducherry

[Malabika Brahma]

What would Puducherry mean in Bengali ?Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Luckily Puducherry is not in Bengal :-). Our Bongali friends I am sure are having a field day with jokes about this name.At 6:42 PM +0530 5/27/06, bg wrote:The Union Cabinet approved the renaming of Pondicherry as Puducherry, as it was known in ancient times.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
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Re: [Assam] Analgesics to the Rescue

[Malabika Brahma]

What about conversion to Atheism. Is is banned too in India ?UtpalChan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:That is a cop-out Umesh.Why don't you use your intellect to try and demolish my argument? And if you cannot, then have the courage to admit that the 'coerced conversion' ruse is false, bogus.At 4:18 PM +0100 5/25/06, umesh sharma wrote:  Noone can win against atheists. So we should agree to disagree and close the matter.UmeshChan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Exactly right Rajen.  Why we are trying to single out the Christians as indulging in fraud and leave the Brahmin priest who is making the Indian give 'pindo' to his dead ancestor? All are frauds to the same degree.  That is because the anti-conversion crowd could not come up with an intellectually tenable argument to support their cause in a country of self-professed but hollow secularism.The real truth is: This whole 'coerced' or 'fraudulent' or 'forced' conversion argument is bogus as a three rupee note! 
 At 8:40 AM -0500 5/25/06, Rajen Barua wrote:  When an illiterate personis given Crocin (and perhaps for the first time in hislife) to reduce temperature and then told Jesus Christ  healed him, that is as simple as fraud.  Frankly speaking I don't see what is the problem in above.  In all religions we more or less do exactly this which may be called fraud.  We take
 medicine and go to temple to pray to save us, and when saved, we say it is only God who saved us.  We study and go to exam and pray to Goddess Swaraswati to pass in exam, and credit her for our success.  We do bsuiness and credit our success to Sai Baba,  We have small pox and pray ti 'Ai' and credit her for the cure.Exactly in the same line, the Christian missionary is saying that yes, you need to take 'crocine' but ultimately it is Jesus Christ who will have to bless you to cure like any Hindu God or Goddess for cure. We do this 'crocin' frauds in all religions. Why we are trying to single out the Christians as indulging in fraud
 and leave the Brahmin priest who is making the Indian give 'pindo' to his dead ancestor? All are frauds to the same degree.  RB  - Original Message -  From: Chan Mahanta  To: Rajib Das ; assam@assamnet.org  Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 8:02 AM  Subject: [Assam] Analgesics to the RescueAt 8:04 PM -0700 5/24/06, Rajib Das wrote:  I defined it earlier. See the crocin story.When
 an illiterate person  is given Crocin (and perhaps for the first time in hislife) to reduce temperature and then told Jesus Christ  healed him, that is as simple as fraud.** Yeah I saw that. Crocin, an analgesic, to the rescue? That is laughable. It does however point to the reasoning abilities of certain people, who could and would willingly make the argument that it might be enough for an 'illiterate' person to 'convert'. I would submit, that the 'literacy' or 'education' of those proffering such arguments is something that requires serious evaluation. Read on, and you will see why.  But let us accept even that as an example of fraudulent inducements to drive them 'illiterates' to convert to Christianity from whatever their faith might be. If
 it is Hinduism, then it would not speak much of their Hindu faith--considering that it melts in the heat of Christian analgesics like the wicked witches of fairy-tales.Now then, could 'crocin' induced conversions be reversed with stronger Hindu medicine? What if the Hinduttwa brigades came to the battle with powerful weaponry like education, social-work, and the really big guns--antibiotics? Could that win over Christian 'crocin'?If NOT, why so?Umesh will argue that Hindus have no money! But that argument we can safely discard. I am sure I would not need to hurt anyone's feelings by going into a painful explanation of why.So, why is it irreversible? Why is a 'coerced', 'fraudulent', 'bribery' induced conversion
 irreversible? What prevents the misled from being shown the light and brought back into the right fold?  The only answers I can see are:A: These 'illiterates' are forever incorrigible. But this does not stand to reason.  B: Once they touch Christianity, they never could come back to Hinduism, or whatever faith they belonged to prior to the 'fraudulent' conversion. This might have some basis, on the 'jaat mora' concept widely 
  prevalent among vast numbers of Hindus. But I know why no Hindu above the level of an imbecile would   touch that explanation.C: That this whole 'coerced' or 'fraudulent' or 'forced' conversion argument is bogus as a three rupee note!--- Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Define
 fraudulent. But the big question that no Hindu will or can answer is HOW can a forced, or fraudulent or coerced conversion stick, unless the 'jaat mora' factor, an essentially caste based Hindu shame, is operative? What prevents the converted from reverting to her original 

[Assam] US divided about educational outsourcing

[Malabika Brahma]

US divided about educational outsourcingMay 16, 200612:29 IST  Welcome to the latest trend in the world of outsourcing. With the students in the US increasingly relying on overseas tutors, online tutoring has become the newest industry to be outsourced to other countries.   The US demand for overseas tutors is creating such a thriving industry in India that about 80 per cent of India's 5 million dollars online tutoring industry is focused on students in the United States, according to a report in the Washington Post on Monday.  It said that thousands of US students rely on tutors, especially in India and China, to boost their grades and SAT scores. The tutors, who communicate with students over the Internet, are inexpensive and available around the clock.  Tutoring companies contend that if low-paid workers in China and India can sew your clothes,
 process your medical bills and answer your computer questions, why can't they teach your children, too?   Educational outsourcing, as it has come to be known, has become even more contentious as companies try to tap into the millions of dollars available under the 'No Child Left Behind Act' -- a program set up by the Bush administration to ensure education for all. Funds under this program is made available for tutorials (remedial tutoring as it is known in the US).   Studyloft.com, a Chicago-based tutoring company with more than 6,000 clients, and a California-based company -- Growing Stars, hope to qualify for those funds. More than 400 students have enrolled with Growing Stars, whose 50 tutors, most of them with master's degrees, work in an office in Cochin.  Most of the US students are very happy getting help from their overseas tutors. They say they got A grades in mathematics and Statistics and also have high Sat scores because of the
 tutoring they got from Indian teachers.   However, educational outsourcing, like the rest of the outsourcing business, has come in for severe criticism in the US.   The Post quoted Rob Weil, deputy director of educational issues at the American Federation of Teachers: 'We don't believe that education should become a business of outsourcing.   'When you start talking about overseas people teaching children, it just doesn't seem right to me.'  Teachers unions are vigorously lobbying for legislation that would make it more difficult for overseas tutors to receive 'No Child Left Behind funds'.   Weil, of the American Federation of Teachers, said after-school tutors should be required to pass the same rigorous certification process as public school teachers.   When Studyloft.com, a Chicago-based tutoring company with more than 6,000 clients, advertised in Bangalore for tutors with master's degrees, more
 than 500 people applied for 38 spots, according to Bikram Roy, the firm's founder and chief executive.   'There is just a huge hotbed of talent there in math and science,'' he said. 'India has the best tutors -- the best teachers -- in the world.'   The Indian teachers also work hard on their pronunciation skills.  Some of them, who have master's degrees in business administration and mathematics, went through two weeks of accent reduction and cultural training. They also learned for the first time about baseball and ice-skating and had to memorise strange-sounding American holidays.   But the effort was worth it because they make $300 a month, much more than what teachers earn in India.  But some tutoring companies in the US worry that outsourcing could be bad for business. Francesco Lecciso, a director of New York-based Brainfuse Online Tutoring, said only 70 of the firm's 1,000 tutors live abroad, in India and
 Chile.   'It's used as a pejorative weapon by our competitors,' he said. 'It such a hot-button political issue. '   Yet some companies are thinking of educational outsourcing on a much broader scale than just tutoring. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is outsourcing the grading of some papers to Smarthinking, a district-based online tutoring company that works with 70,000 students at 300 schools across the country and has both tutors in the United States and abroad.  The Post quoted Burck Smith, the firm's chief executive and co-founder to say that 'Essentially we are acting as the teaching assistant. We can do better service, more consistent service, and at a better price.'   Smith says he believes that eventually schools will outsource their office hours, review sessions and other aspects of instruction to teachers that might be located anywhere in the world. Right now, about 20 per cent of Smarthinking's 500
 tutors are in countries such as India, the Philippines, Chile, South Africa and Israel.Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com ___
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Re: [Assam] US divided about educational outsourcing

[Malabika Brahma]

Indians and Chinese mostly turn out to be master test takers. They are better at taking tests and scoring than their US counterparts. If the AFT makes it mandatory that after school tutors be qualified and certified, you will soon see a huge industry coming up in Hyderabad that will train prospective tutors in getting certified for the subjects they are tutoring and very soon you will see more certified subject teachers in India that US. For example India has perhaps more Oracle certified or Microsoft certified person than all of US.Read a recent comment in Times "Perhaps in the entire history of Mankind, no other country has undergone som much of Image transformation in 15 years. 15 years back India was associated with Famine, Snakes and Elephants. Now if you askan average person in the street in the US, India is associated withSoftware Development, Brain, Doctors/Engineers or the country that is most likely to take
 away my job".But the question is whether the opportunity arising out of outsourcing will ultimately lift up the people in the bottom most layer of the society. That is to be seen. But if we go by the economic developmental history of the West, growth started in one or two sectors of the economy had the diffusion effect on the other sectors of the economy and ultimately lifted the rest of the society from abject poverty ? Will the history repeat itself ?Utpalumesh sharma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Yes, I agree with the AFT that after school tutors should also be qualified - having porved their subject knowledge in the field in which they are tutoring. However, this is not done even in tutors based in US - maximum is a small written test at the test center
 itself. Many college students are into tutoring school students.UmeshMalabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  US divided about educational outsourcingMay 16, 200612:29 IST  Welcome to the latest trend in the world of outsourcing. With the students in the US increasingly relying on overseas tutors, online tutoring has become the newest industry to be outsourced to other countries.   The US demand for overseas tutors is creating such a thriving industry in India that about 80 per cent of India's 5 million dollars online tutoring industry is focused on students in the United States, according to a report in the Washington Post on Monday.  It said that thousands of US students rely on
 tutors, especially in India and China, to boost their grades and SAT scores. The tutors, who communicate with students over the Internet, are inexpensive and available around the clock.  Tutoring companies contend that if low-paid workers in China and India can sew your clothes, process your medical bills and answer your computer questions, why can't they teach your children, too?   Educational outsourcing, as it has come to be known, has become even more contentious as companies try to tap into the millions of dollars available under the 'No Child Left Behind Act' -- a program set up by the Bush administration to ensure education for all. Funds under this program is made available for tutorials (remedial tutoring as it is known in the US).   Studyloft.com, a Chicago-based tutoring company with more than 6,000 clients, and a California-based company -- Growing Stars, hope to qualify for those funds. More than 400 students have enrolled with
 Growing Stars, whose 50 tutors, most of them with master's degrees, work in an office in Cochin.  Most of the US students are very happy getting help from their overseas tutors. They say they got A grades in mathematics and Statistics and also have high Sat scores because of the tutoring they got from Indian teachers.   However, educational outsourcing, like the rest of the outsourcing business, has come in for severe criticism in the US.   The Post quoted Rob Weil, deputy director of educational issues at the American Federation of Teachers: 'We don't believe that education should become a business of outsourcing.   'When you start talking about overseas people teaching children, it just doesn't seem right to me.'  Teachers unions are vigorously lobbying for legislation that would make it more difficult for overseas tutors to receive 'No Child Left Behind funds'.   Weil, of the American Federation of
 Teachers, said after-school tutors should be required to pass the same rigorous certification process as public school teachers.   When Studyloft.com, a Chicago-based tutoring company with more than 6,000 clients, advertised in Bangalore for tutors with master's degrees, more than 500 people applied for 38 spots, according to Bikram Roy, the firm's founder and chief executive.   'There is just a huge hotbed of talent there in math and science,'' he said. 'India has the best tutors -- the best teachers -- in the world.'   The Indian teachers also work hard on their pronunciation skills.  Some of them, who have master's degrees in business administration and mathematics, went through two weeks of accent 

Re: [Assam] Dilbert on IIT

[Malabika Brahma]

A very interesting book on student life at IIT (some cynical humorist named it Indian Institute of Torture) is "Five Point Someone : What not to do at IIT" by Chetan Bhagat, an alumnus from IITD. Chetan's work on the underdogs in IIT matches Upamanyu Chatterjee's narration about a young IAS probationers tryst with the life of a public servant.Here is a book reviewhttp://www.mouthshut.com/review/Five_Point_Someone_-_Chetan_Bhagat-56435-1.htmlUtpal  Dilip/Dil Deka [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Yeh to dekha hua hai, shuna hua hai. How much flogging can the IITians stand? :-)  Dilip  Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Dilbert on IIT  Yahoo! Photos – NEW, now offering a quality print service from just 7p a photo.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
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Re: [Assam] Dilbert on IIT

[Malabika Brahma]

BTW , what I forgot to mention in the previous mail is that Upamanyu Chatterjees book on IAS life is "English August" - about the life of a newly inducted IAS officer named Augasta.    Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:A very interesting book on student life at IIT (some cynical humorist named it Indian Institute of Torture) is "Five Point Someone : What not to do at IIT" by Chetan Bhagat, an alumnus from IITD. Chetan's work on the underdogs in IIT matches Upamanyu Chatterjee's narration
 about a young IAS probationers tryst with the life of a public servant.Here is a book reviewhttp://www.mouthshut.com/review/Five_Point_Someone_-_Chetan_Bhagat-56435-1.html   
 Utpal  Dilip/Dil Deka [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Yeh to dekha hua hai, shuna hua hai. How much flogging can the IITians stand? :-)  Dilip  Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Dilbert on IIT  Yahoo! Photos – NEW, now offering a quality print service from just 7p a photo.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  Yahoo! Photos – NEW, now offering a quality print service from just 7p a photo.
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[Assam] Dilbert on IIT

[Malabika Brahma]

Dilbert on IIT
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Re: [Assam] Terrorism in Varanasi

[Malabika Brahma]

Nice to see some rationalism amongst the commoners. What is needed now is the much needed rationalism amongst the policy makers, though that is a lot more to ask for at the moment.Why ?An average commoner in India is not a criminal but going by the profile of the members of the Parliament in India the same can not be said.UtpalDilip/Dil Deka [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:It had the potential to ignite UP but it didn't. Is it because Indians have learned to differentiate between terrorism and Hindu-Muslim conflict? Is it now evidentto the average Hindu in India that the average Muslim in India also hates terrorism just as much?  It is a group of small groups of people that is keeping terrorism alive throughout the world. The
 common theme is that they erroneously believe that they can keep their self-centered causes alive by creating commotion among the general population. Otherwise why would there be bomb explosion in a temple, church mosque or a school?   It appears to me that the bombs in Varanasi could have been planted by any terrorist group,whether Muslim, Hindu or any other religion. It is a relief that the Muslims in Varanasi are not paying the price.  Dilip  ==  Indian City Shaken by Temple Bombings   By SOMINI SENGUPTA  Published: March 9, 2006VARANASI, India, March 8 — Their hushed voices
 were drowned out by the howls of demonstrators. Just a stone's throw away lay the gory wreckage of Tuesday's temple blast. Skip to next paragraph Enlarge This Image   Prakash Singh/AFP -- Getty Images  Indian security forces stand guard today outside the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.   Holy City on the GangesNew York Times staff photographer Tyler Hicks visited the holy city on the western bank of the Ganges. Enlarge This Image   Rajesh Kumar Singh/Associated Press  Victims of two explosions that killed at least 14 people on Tuesday in Varanasi, India, were cremated Wednesday. Chhote Lal Biskarma, above, lost his son in one of the blasts. Security measures were increased throughout India in response to the bombings in Varanasi, a city holy to Hindus. Enlarge This Image   Prakash Singh/Agence France-Presse {mdash} Getty Images  The Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi, dedicated to a Hindu deity, was damaged Tuesday by an explosion. Enlarge This Image   Mahan Vatsyayana/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images  Security was tightened at the New Delhi railway station and all across India Wednesday after the bombings in the holy city of Varanasi.   But inside a small square chamber on the compound of the Sankat Mochan temple on Wednesday afternoon sat four men facing their monkey god and carrying out a job they had been paid to do: chanting the name
 of a Hindu god as a prayer for a stranger who was sick.   "Om Sri Ram, jai Ram, jai jai Ram," the men muttered through the din and sensation. An interruption of the incantation could not be allowed.  Modern terror more than interrupted the rhythm of this 400-year-old institution, as it did, in smaller ways, the rhythm of daily life in this 2,500-year-old city. A pair of homemade bombs on Tuesday evening tore through the Sankat Mochan temple and the nearby city railway station, killing at least 14 and injuring more than 100.  Law enforcement authorities on Wednesday said explosives had been stuffed inside a pressure cooker and left inside an inconspicuous bag at each site. The police found a similar unexploded device at a busy city market. The bomb at the train station left a wide shallow crater at the terminal; shrapnel pockmarked the ceiling above. The police said they did not know who was responsible.   The other bomb was set off at dusk
 in the courtyard of the Sankat Mochan temple, dedicated to the Hindu monkey deity, Hanuman, as thousands of worshipers gathered for the evening oil-lamp prayers. Tuesday is the most auspicious day at the Hanuman temple, and dozens of couples had come to be blessed in marriage.  The blast forced all services to be suspended for four hours. "For us what could be a more shattering experience?" the temple's head priest and administrator, Veer Bhadra Mishra, 68, wondered aloud on Wednesday. Hindus believe the temple compound, surrounded by woods, is Hanuman's home.  Clashes between Hindus and Muslims did not come to pass, as feared, despite protest marches called by Hindu radicals and their politician allies. Varanasi, also known as Benares, was free of violence Wednesday.   But the city was also missing its usual chaotic, vibrant and intense character. With a strike called by a number of Hindu nationalist groups, schools and businesses across the city
 were closed. Boatmen at the Ganges River, a daily draw for pilgrims and tourists, complained bitterly that business had dropped off. Varanasi's narrow, normally impassable streets could be easily navigated.   Several Muslim shopkeepers said they had shuttered their businesses as a 

[Assam] Newsweek article

[Malabika Brahma]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/
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Re: [Assam] Washington Post Indian Scientist Denied Visa - How dare you!

[Malabika Brahma]

In this context, an interesting reading is "The World is Flat" by Thomas FriedmanRam Sarangapani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Dear Mukul Da,And what does he try to teach USA? Hindu Chemistry?Ain't that something? Anything Indian/of Indian/by Indian is automatically suspect and subject to contempt.   Even if you don't like it, sometimes credit must be given where its due. As for trying to "teach" the USA, most US Universities have Indians as professors. These professors/scientists have paid their dues, are very well educated, competed among the best in the world,and are some of the best the world has to offer. And a number of them happen to be Assamese.
 Yes, they are teaching the USA and very well too, and have been teaching American students for many decades now.As for Mehta's credentials - they seem pretty good. Do you think Universities in the US, Germany, Britain, Japan and elsewhere would have someone teach/lecture without solid credentials? And that too when he is supposed toteach them'Hindu Chemistry', whatever that means. Well, hereare some professional achievements of Dr. Mehta. They may not be the best and upto some standards, nevertheless are impressive.--Ram  Research Associate, Michigan State and Ohio State Universities, USA, 1967 - 69. Lecturer and Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, 1969 - 77. Professor, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India, 1977 - 98, Founder Dean 1977 - 86. Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India, 1994 - 98.
 Visiting Professor, Michigan State University, USA, 1982. Visiting Professor, University of Notre Dame, USA, 1990. Honorary Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, India, 1990 - Visiting Professor, University of Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France, 1991. Visiting Professor, Chemical Research Centre, Taiwan, 1994. Humboldt Forschungspreis Awardee, University of Freiburg, Germany, 1995. Srinivasa Ramanujan Research Professor, Indian National Science Academy, 1992 - 97. Professor, Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, 1998 - 2005. Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 1998 - 2005. Merck Visiting Professor, University of Nottingham, UK, 1998. Visiting Professor, Ecole Normale Superiere de Chimie, Paris, France, 1999. Humboldt Forschungspreis Awardee, University of Heidelburg, Germany, 2000. Tarrant Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA,
 2001. Distinguished Visiting Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan, 2002. Mercator Professor, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Germany, 2003, 2005. Honorary Fellow, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, 2005   On 2/23/06, mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My visa application was cleared in a month only --since school education is a harmless subject - but had I been a sciecne student in say nano technology - my application might have taken about 6 months to clear - if it all.   That's elementary-My Dear Watson!  What is not elementary is-What does he go to US -Dozens of
 times- for?  And what does he try to teach USA? Hindu Chemistry?  And what he comes back and teaches MMS--isn't he billed as top technical adviser to Delhi?  mm From:umesh sharma  [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To:mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED], assam@assamnet.org Subject:Re: [Assam] Washington Post "Indian Scientist Denied Visa " - How dare you! Date:Fri, 24 Feb 2006 01:46:00 + (GMT)  Mukul-da,Unless you are trying for a non-techical visa to come to
 USA - your application would take longer to clear. Esp if your field of study happens to be related to security issues - such as defense systems or nuclear technology -- then your visa application would be sent out of India - to USA and would have to cleared by higher , spceialist authorities. Thats the standard procedure. My visa application was cleared in a month only --since school education is a harmless subject - but had I been a sciecne student in say nano technology - my application might have taken about 6 months to clear - if it all.Umesh  mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Mehta's case has especially angered Indians because he was a director of the Indian Institute of Science and is a science adviser to India's prime minister. He has visited the United
 States "dozens of times," he said, and the University of Florida in Gainesville had invited him to lecture at an international conference.  State Department spokesman Justin Higgins denied yesterday that the United States had rejected Mehta's visa and said the consulate had merely followed standard procedure in dealing with applicants with certain kinds of scientific expertise.  scientific expertise? What kind?  Poor chap was only trying to teach USA !  mm ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org 

Re: [Assam] Washington Post Indian Scientist Denied Visa - How dare you!

[Malabika Brahma]

Actually it is rather embarrassing that I(with absolutely no credential compared to Dr. Mehta) was issued a visa wayback when whereas Dr. Mehta was refused. The scientific community in the USis embarrasedas well.Ram Sarangapani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Dear Mukul Da,And what does he try to teach USA? Hindu Chemistry?Ain't that something? Anything Indian/of Indian/by Indian is automatically suspect and subject to contempt.   Even if you don't like it,
 sometimes credit must be given where its due. As for trying to "teach" the USA, most US Universities have Indians as professors. These professors/scientists have paid their dues, are very well educated, competed among the best in the world,and are some of the best the world has to offer. And a number of them happen to be Assamese. Yes, they are teaching the USA and very well too, and have been teaching American students for many decades now.As for Mehta's credentials - they seem pretty good. Do you think Universities in the US, Germany, Britain, Japan and elsewhere would have someone teach/lecture without solid credentials? And that too when he is supposed toteach them'Hindu Chemistry', whatever that means. Well, hereare some professional achievements of Dr. Mehta. They may not be the best and upto some standards, nevertheless are impressive.--Ram  Research
 Associate, Michigan State and Ohio State Universities, USA, 1967 - 69. Lecturer and Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, 1969 - 77. Professor, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India, 1977 - 98, Founder Dean 1977 - 86. Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India, 1994 - 98. Visiting Professor, Michigan State University, USA, 1982. Visiting Professor, University of Notre Dame, USA, 1990. Honorary Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, India, 1990 - Visiting Professor, University of Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France, 1991. Visiting Professor, Chemical Research Centre, Taiwan, 1994. Humboldt Forschungspreis Awardee, University of Freiburg, Germany, 1995. Srinivasa Ramanujan Research Professor, Indian National Science Academy, 1992 - 97. Professor, Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, 1998 - 2005. Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,
 1998 - 2005. Merck Visiting Professor, University of Nottingham, UK, 1998. Visiting Professor, Ecole Normale Superiere de Chimie, Paris, France, 1999. Humboldt Forschungspreis Awardee, University of Heidelburg, Germany, 2000. Tarrant Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA, 2001. Distinguished Visiting Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan, 2002. Mercator Professor, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Germany, 2003, 2005. Honorary Fellow, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, 2005   On 2/23/06, mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My visa application was cleared in a month only
 --since school education is a harmless subject - but had I been a sciecne student in say nano technology - my application might have taken about 6 months to clear - if it all.   That's elementary-My Dear Watson!  What is not elementary is-What does he go to US -Dozens of times- for?  And what does he try to teach USA? Hindu Chemistry?  And what he comes back and teaches MMS--isn't he billed as top technical adviser to Delhi?  mm From:umesh sharma  [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To:mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED], assam@assamnet.org Subject:Re: [Assam] Washington Post "Indian Scientist Denied Visa " - How dare you! Date:Fri, 24 Feb 2006 01:46:00 + (GMT)  Mukul-da,Unless you are trying for a non-techical visa to come to USA - your application would take longer to clear. Esp if your field of study happens to be related to security issues - such as defense systems or nuclear technology -- then your visa application would be sent out of India - to USA and would have to cleared by higher , spceialist authorities. Thats the standard procedure. My visa application was cleared in a month only --since school education is a harmless subject - but had I been a sciecne student in say nano technology - my application might have taken about 6 months to clear - if it all.Umesh
  mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Mehta's case has especially angered Indians because he was a director of the Indian Institute of Science and is a science adviser to India's prime minister. He has visited the United States "dozens of times," he said, and the University of Florida in Gainesville had invited him to lecture at an international conference.  State Department spokesman Justin Higgins denied yesterday that the United States had rejected Mehta's visa and said the consulate had merely followed standard procedure in dealing with applicants with certain kinds of scientific expertise.  scientific expertise? What kind?  Poor chap was only trying to teach 

Re: [Assam] One must Take Responsibility

[Malabika Brahma]

To a large extent, I think the liberal attitude of the Assamese societywas because of the influence of the Non Aryan section of the Assamese society - namely the Kirata people of North East. Nowhere in India you find such a blending of two groups of people - the Indo Europeans and the Kiratas. Whereas in other parts of India it wasoverwhelming sublimation of one culture over the other (say sublimation by the Indo Europeans over the Dravidian or the Austric group), in Assam it was a case of cultural and racial intermix. Though the process was not always without the natural friction, it resulted in creating a liberal mindset that was not the characteristicsin the Gangetic valley.Agreed the region (Assam as well as North East) is not having the best of its time, but I am sure ( anddo surely hope), this liberal attitude will go a long way in course of time inputting back the society (of
 North East), therespectful place it deserves.Remember reading an old book where a Europeanmentioned in the 18th century, the manfolk belonging to even the most rustic section of the society take a certain pride in introducing the womenfolk of the household to the guest, which was in utter contrast to thetreatment rendered by the manfolk towards the women in other parts of the then India.Utpalmc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  That's IT!  That is analysis.  mm  From: "Barua25"
 [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: "Himendra Thakur" [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED]CC: assam@assamnet.orgSubject: Re: [Assam] One must Take ResponsibilityDate: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:11:30 -0600  Excepting the Assamese Hindu Community, Hindus have been burning womenin Sati, Jauhar  Bride-Burning... but there are fundamental differences between these practices, which should be investigated and studied so that the tragedy can be eradicated. Why do you think Hindus in India were and are burning women and why do you think the Assamese were not.  Is it not a shame for Indians?  Don't you think the
 Indiansshould learn from the Assamese?  In your Seminar do you tell them why Assamese never nurned women eithr in Sati or widow burning.?  Do you also tell them   Assamese also never had Child marriage.  Assamese had and have the practice of widow marriage.  Assamese marriage never had the Joutuk Pratha.  Assamese are the only community in India where we have the Jwrwn Protha where the groom party give lewellery to the bride.  etc.  There are i billion Indians to solve India's problems.Assamese should focus on the present problems of Assam.RB  - Original Message -   From: Himendra Thakur   To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Cc: assam@assamnet.org   Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 11:31 PM  Subject: Re: [Assam] One must Take Responsibility   
 Dear Umesh,Sati was mentioned by scholars who accompanied Alexander the Great in 300+ BC. When Lord Bentinck banned Sati in 1829, it was widespread all over India except Assam.Excepting the Assamese Hindu Community, Hindus have been burning womenin Sati, Jauhar  Bride-Burning... but there are fundamental differences between these practices, which should be investigated and studied so that the tragedy can be eradicated. Will you be free on December 27-29, 2006 to attend the Eighth International Conference Against Bride-Burning ? I cordially invite you toparticipate (and help) at the International conferences that we are holding
 againstbride-burning, where the other two practices also are discussed. It will be a matter of confusion if all the three practises are lumped together and confined to only one area ... Rajasthan. It will be very misleading if these practises are ignored as "a figment of imagination - but both Sati and Jauhar are very much part of the folk lore."Some people try to ignorebride-burning also as a "a figment of imagination" and a"folk-lore"... These are very irresponsible talk. There are recentstatistics from the Crime Bureau of the Home Ministry.I
 welcome you for saying "However, as recently as 1980s Sati was performed in Divarala in Rajasthan - despite all media attention." Through your that word"However", we see a ray of hope.With the best wishes,  Himendra  - Original Message - From: umesh sharma   To: Himendra Thakur ; Barua25 ; assam@assamnet.org   Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 9:39 PM  Subject: Re: [Assam] One must Take ResponsibilityMaybe Sati (or setting fire to the widow) was also a figment of imagination - but both Sati and Jauhar are very much part of the folk lore where they were most popular -- in Rajasthan. However, as recently as 1980s Sati was performed in Divarala in Rajasthan - despite all media attention.   
 UmeshHimendra Thakur [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Dear Barua,Appended below is an interestingcase --- maybe first time someonehad to take responsibility for what he said and wrote. Please consider if this maybe discussed in the net.The jailed British historian David Irving's opinion 

Re: [Assam] One must Take Responsibility

[Malabika Brahma]

Rajen da,Agreed about the human sacrifice in Kesaikhati and Kamakhya. But the victims were from either sex , isn't it ? The Evil practices were not exclusively targetted towards women.Agreed about the racial intermix in WB too. But in whereas there was racial intermix, how much of cultural intermix do you think happened in WB compared to Assam ? If you look at the other NE states where there was even less cultural intermix compared to Assam and where the Kiratas are still dominating, you actually see even higher social position for the women.UtpalRajen Barua [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  You seem to be making a statement without much study. The actual
 reasons are quite different in my opinion. However, for you to realise the fact, let us see whyyour theory is not correct,  (Your theory : I think the liberal attitude of the Assamese societywas because of the influence of the Non Aryan section of the Assamese society - namely the Kirata people of North East. ),   let us try to put to test the above theory:1) In India there are huge amount of bride burning cases while in Assam there are none. Now you seem to be saying that it is happening in India because the Indian society is not liberal like Assamese. Now to argue, why a conservative society will burn their brides to start with?One of the states, other than Assam which has mongolian (Kirata) influence is West Bengal. In fact the propulation is WB is considered to be a mixture of Dravidian plus Mongoloid plus Aryan. And West Bengal is the state which is mostlt affected by Sati Dah, Child Mariiage, and all the ill affects of a Hindu society.On the other hand, in no Aryan (Hindu) scriptures we find any of these evil practices. So these cannot be some Aryan society characteristics.Non Aryans on the other hand had many evil prctices like Human Sacrifice (In Kesaikhati temple in Xodiya and in Kamakhya) till the other day. Now the question is that in spite of all these. Assamese society (mainly Hindu Assamese society) has thse strong positive points which are not found anywhere in India.The issues need serious studies. I asked these questions to many Assamese and Indian scholars who like to say high things of Aryan society etc. Till now nobody could give me any convincing answer.  Today I have my own.  RB - Original Message -   From: Malabika Brahma   To: mc mahant ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Cc: assam@assamnet.org   Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 8:41 AM  Subject: Re: [Assam] One must Take ResponsibilityTo a large extent, I think the liberal attitude of the Assamese societywas because of the influence of the Non Aryan section of the Assamese society - namely the Kirata people of North East.
 Nowhere in India you find such a blending of two groups of people - the Indo Europeans and the Kiratas. Whereas in other parts of India it wasoverwhelming sublimation of one culture over the other (say sublimation by the Indo Europeans over the Dravidian or the Austric group), in Assam it was a case of cultural and racial intermix. Though the process was not always without the natural friction, it resulted in creating a liberal mindset that was not the characteristicsin the Gangetic valley.Agreed the region (Assam as well as North East) is not having the best of its time, but I am sure ( anddo surely hope), this liberal attitude will go a long way in course of time inputting back the society (of North East), therespectful place it deserves.Remember reading an old book where a Europeanmentioned in the 18th century, the manfolk belonging to even the most
 rustic section of the society take a certain pride in introducing the womenfolk of the household to the guest, which was in utter contrast to thetreatment rendered by the manfolk towards the women in other parts of the then India.Utpalmc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  That's IT!  That is analysis.  mm  From: "Barua25" [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: "Himendra Thakur" [EMAIL PROTECTED],[EMAIL PROTECTED]CC: assam@assamnet.orgSubject: Re: [Assam] One must Take
 ResponsibilityDate: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:11:30 -0600  Excepting the Assamese Hindu Community, Hindus have been burning womenin Sati, Jauhar  Bride-Burning... but there are fundamental differences between these practices, which should be investigated and studied so that the tragedy can be eradicated. Why do you think Hindus in India were and are burning women and why do you think the Assamese were not.  Is it not a shame for Indians?  Don't you think the Indiansshould learn from the Assamese?  In your Seminar do you tell them why Assamese never nurned women eithr in Sati or widow
 burning.?  Do you also tell them   Assamese also never had Child marriage.  Assamese had and have the practice of widow marriage.  Assamese marriage never had the Joutuk Pratha.  Assamese are the only community in India where we have the Jwrwn Protha where the groom party give leweller

Re: [Assam] One must Take Responsibility

[Malabika Brahma]

I would agree with Manoj. The Aryan Hindu society, which to a large extent, had its moral teachings from Manu, who believed in total supremacy of the Males over females.Manu Smrti V.164 " By violating her duty towards her husband, a wife is disgraced in this world, (after death) whe enters the womb of a jackal, and is tormented by diseases (as the punishment of) her sin." The liberal attitude towards women and higher social status of women in North East, therefore can not be attributed to the moral teachings of Manu but most likely influenced by Kirata value system where women always enjoyed higher status.Manoj Das [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Well Rajenda,It was a foundation day celebration, we were just invitees. NCW isaware of
 the social capital, social advantages Assam has. Most ofAssam's social capital is attributed to its mongoloid majority.It will be wrong to say that Assam had no instance of 'sati'. I know aretired IAS officer here in Delhi, whose mother went sati about 6decades back in lower Assam.ciaoOn 2/24/06, Barua25 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Excepting the Assamese Hindu Community, Hindus have been burning women in Sati, Jauhar  Bride-Burning ... but there are fundamental differences between these practices, which should be investigated and studied so that the tragedy can be eradicated. Why do you think Hindus in India were and are burning women and why do you think the Assamese were not. Is it not a shame for Indians? Don't you think the Indians should learn from the Assamese? In your Seminar do you tell them why Assamese never nurned women eithr in
 Sati or widow burning.? Do you also tell them Assamese also never had Child marriage. Assamese had and have the practice of widow marriage. Assamese marriage never had the Joutuk Pratha. Assamese are the only community in India where we have the Jwrwn Protha where the groom party give lewellery to the bride. etc. There are i billion Indians to solve India's problems. Assamese should focus on the present problems of Assam. RB - Original Message - From: Himendra Thakur To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: assam@assamnet.org Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 11:31 PM Subject: Re: [Assam] One must Take Responsibility Dear Umesh, Sati was mentioned by scholars who accompanied Alexander the Great in 300+ BC. When Lord Bentinck banned Sati in 1829, it was widespread all over India except
 Assam. Excepting the Assamese Hindu Community, Hindus have been burning women in Sati, Jauhar  Bride-Burning ... but there are fundamental differences between these practices, which should be investigated and studied so that the tragedy can be eradicated. Will you be free on December 27-29, 2006 to attend the Eighth International Conference Against Bride-Burning ? I cordially invite you to participate (and help) at the International conferences that we are holding against bride-burning, where the other two practices also are discussed. It will be a matter of confusion if all the three practises are lumped together and confined to only one area ... Rajasthan. It will be very misleading if these practises are ignored as "a figment of imagination - but both Sati and Jauhar are very much part of the folk lore." Some people try to ignore
 bride-burning also as a "a figment of imagination" and a "folk-lore" ... These are very irresponsible talk. There are recent statistics from the Crime Bureau of the Home Ministry. I welcome you for saying "However, as recently as 1980s Sati was performed in Divarala in Rajasthan - despite all media attention." Through your that word "However", we see a ray of hope. With the best wishes, Himendra - Original Message - From: umesh sharma To: Himendra Thakur ; Barua25 ; assam@assamnet.org Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 9:39 PM Subject: Re: [Assam] One must Take Responsibility Maybe Sati (or setting fire to the widow) was also a figment of imagination - but both Sati and Jauhar are very much part of the folk lore where they were most popular -- in Rajasthan. However, as recently as 1980s Sati was
 performed in Divarala in Rajasthan - despite all media attention. Umesh Himendra Thakur <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Dear Barua, Appended below is an interesting case --- maybe first time someone had to take responsibility for what he said and wrote. Please consider if this maybe discussed in the net. The jailed British historian David Irving's opinion that "most Jews died of diseases during World War II" sounds very similar to what one correspondent said in Assamnet implicitly absolving the Islamic invaders of any responsibility of Hindu women's death in Jauhar Vrata, because, according to this correspondent, Hindus killed their own wives and daughters as a "scorched earth policy". This correspondent did neither furnish any evidence nor did he state whether the scenerio was his assumption. Under what circumstances a man kills his own
 daughter and wife instead of protecting them? To my question "Dear Chandan, Since you "do support the 

[Assam] Boston Bengalis hunt for business ideas

[Malabika Brahma]

Gargi Gupta in New Delhi | February 02, 200601:43 ISTSomnath Chakraborty thinks he has a big idea. The 22-year-old resident of Katua, Bardhaman, about 150 kilometres from Kolkata, wants to market a health drink made from extracts of two local herbs, basak and kulekhara, traditionally used in Bengal to treat cough and cold, and anaemia, respectively.   "These herbs grow wild all over the Bengal countryside and I have always felt that these present a huge commerical potential," he says. "If colas, which have no nutritional value, can sell, I don't see why a local drink made of these herbs will not," he adds, hopefully.   Nothing much would have come of it had a friend not showed him an advertisement in a local tabloid inviting entries for a business plan competition being conducted by a group of NRI Bengalis.   If he wins, he will get Rs 50,000, plus expert
 advice on starting a business, and a sponsored visit to Houston for the annual North American Bengali Conference.   And so Chakraborty set to work, taking the help of a friend, Sanjoy Ghosh, to draw up the detailed chart of the expected revenues and expenses, and sent it off to the email address given.   Far away in Houston, Chitro Neogy of The Boston Pledge has received about 20 such business proposals from remote corners of West Bengal in the three months since the NABC 50K Business Plan Competition got underway.   While some ideas, like a food-processing machine developed in collaboration with Jadavpur University, make a lot of sense, others like Pradip Sarkar's idea of an urban transport system centred around a hanging bus, or that of a goat selling centre from Arghya Barman of Gaighata, North 24 Parganas, are too difficult to execute, to say the least.   For Neogy, however, the do-ability or otherwise of the plan is not the moot point: it is the care that
 has gone into formulating a business plan and presenting it to evaluators. Most members of TBP are former management consultants, and it helps to package plans just the way consultants like.   "I expect another 20-30 more to come in by July, when it closes," says Neogy.   The competition takes its name and modalities from MIT's famed 50K Entreprenuership Competition (indeed, Neogy and many TBP-ians were at MIT themselves).   Its objective, in the words of its chairman, Partha Ghosh, is to "nurture and develop the spirit of entrepreneurship in the rural areas of the state". Even a small start would do, according to Ghosh. "We'll be happy even if we can help two people."   Earlier this month, TBP struck an agreement with the Indian Professional Service Organisation, a charitable trust that volunteers the professional expertise of its members like ex-army chief Shankar Ray Choudhuri; former chief secretary of the West Bengal government Tarun C Dutt; and Bharati Ray,
 former MP.   This group of luminaries will not only judge the entries, but will also offer mentorship to the winners in their quest for success.   And if Somnath Chakraborty is among the lucky few, his herbal drink might actually get commercialised. 
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[Assam] On a different Note

[Malabika Brahma]

Agar Bhagwan Kare to Krishna Leela   Agar Ham Kare to Character Dhila
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Re: [Assam] On a different Note

[Malabika Brahma]

Agar Bhagwan Kare to Krishna Leela   Agar Ham Kare to Character DhilaThat was not by Malabika, was by Utpal Brahma  Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Agar Bhagwan Kare to Krishna Leela   Agar Ham Kare to Character Dhila  To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  
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Re: [Assam] Himendra's reply to Saurav

[Malabika Brahma]

But do religions evolve in the same manner? If so, where does fundamentalism come from? Why are certain religions ready to kill, before letting one change to another or attack reformers as heretics and converts as apostates? Problem arises and fundamentalism comes in when people resist the changes. When they think the religious norms or beliefs are written in stone and are "eternal truths". Though it is true for any man made norms (be it religion or language or nation), perhaps fundamentalism influenced by religion has caused more miseries than anything else. Some of the gravest genocides in the history of the world were created by people who believed in the "supremacy of their own religion" over others. World will be a better place without the present day religions. Religions are only great as long as practised within the confiesone own
 spiritualdomain and not used as a nation building tool. Denying that will mean that we have learnt nothing from the Crusade, the holocaust in Europe, the Spanish Inquisition, the end less religious riots in Indian sub-contitent, the mass killing of the Incas and Azteks by the Spanish, the ongoing Islamic fundamentalism, the Arab/Israel deadlock and the list goes on.Although not a Maoist, I would say Mao was not far from truth when he declared "Religion is poison".UtpalChan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:At 2:17 PM -0600 1/25/06, Rajen Barua wrote:  Bravo!!!  Culture, Religion, Language all are like rivers.  They flow and take the paths ofleast resistence.  *** Cultures evolve. Languages do too, although far less easily, unless enforced  with overwhelming political power and/or military might.But do religions evolve in the same manner? If so, where does fundamentalism come from? Why are certain religions ready to kill, before letting one change to another or attack reformers as heretics and converts as apostates? And why is it that all religious wisdoms were found millenia ago, with no farther developments in religion, no new wisdoms found? Or could it be that newly derived wisdoms in the field are not accepted as legitimate,
 asserting that religions are not meant to be changed - like certain governments?  RB  - Original Message -  From: Malabika Brahma  To: assam@assamnet.org ; [EMAIL PROTECTED]  Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 12:28 PM  Subject: Re: [Assam] Himendra's reply to SauravI would disgree with both Jugal da and Himenda.Religion, Language, Culture, Nation all are constantly evolving over time
 and will always undergo change. Any resistance is not only futile but also against the normal and natural course of history.For example, most of the Assamese (Koches) speakers or for that matter the Bengali speakers in North Bengal were Bodo speakers at one point of time. Does it mean that the Koches should abandon their Assamese or Bengali speech and return to Bodo fold ?Or for that matter, Mithraism was the dominating religion all over Middle East and Europe before Islam or Christianity. Should all of them (those Christians or Muslims) abandon their faith and return to their ancient religion ?We should learn to realise that NONE is ever eternal - be in Religion, Language, Race or Nationality. The ONLY ETERNAL FACT is the Change itself.   
 UtpalRajib Das [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:   people of Assam to remain Hindu, but become Hindi-speaking!! I am not sure what history has in store for Assam, but I would like the language preserved for eternity!!Jugalda,Conversely, would you be happier if the people ofAssam keep Assamese as a language but become allMuslims? Let go of all the "secular" customs andtraditions that are associated with Assamese beingHindus?And in alternative situations, would you rather thelanguage be Hindi-ized (meaning significant Hindiinfluence) or Arabicized (significant Musliminfluence) if these are the only two optionsavailable? Bengali in Bangladesh is undergoing rapidtransformation as the country itself transforms into afundamentalist state.Just interested in understanding your point of
 view?Rajib__Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection aroundhttp://mail.yahoo.com___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  Yahoo! Messenger NEW - crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail___assam mailing
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Re: [Assam] Reforms - The CONCLUSION

[Malabika Brahma]

Chandan da, Similarly on that segment of Assam's establishment and intelligentsia, who isopposed to meaningful and substantive governmental reforms   and regaining of controls over its resources, either willfully or unwittingly.Opposition from Assam's establishment I can very well understand. But opposition from the intelligentsia for a meaningful and substantive government reforms is what is difficult to fathom. One such effort would be by offering ideas for a reformed Assam governance,based on real ( asc opposed to the desi kind) democratic concepts and principles.That can be achieved only through an overground political movement . But such changes are not possible without making constitutional amendments and consititutional amendments are not possible until
 and unless we build up a national level consensus. Such changes are possible only in a truly Federal India (as opposed to the Federalism Desi kind). But to force the Parliament pass a bill that makes the first step towards Federalism will take a lot of effort and ground work at the National Level (because of the Number game we need to play) . Such ground work can only be accomplished by active involvement of liberal, visionary and articulate citizens of North East and that is where we need the likes of Prof Sanjiv Baruah, Mamoni Roisom Goswami or journalist Sanjoy Hazarika. They understand the problems faced by North East because of a GOI that is entirely dominated by the Cow Belters and but neverthless they have earned some respect and credibility amongst the Think Tankers at all India level. That places them in a position from where they can influence the liberal intelligentsia all over the country for the much needed reforms to the so called Desi
 Demokrasy. And I think some of the more liberal educational institutes like the JNU or Calcutta University are good places to start the crusade for constitutional reforms.Unless we can win the Number Game, we can never force GOI to make constitutional amendments to achive the kind of federalism that will ensure an exploitation free North East.Utpal  Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Hi Santanu:  Of all the analyses, yours make the most sense, and I agree with most of it. I also was not sure how Utpal's points correlate with the ones you make. But be that as it may, allow me to chime in here: 
 As I see it, the GOI thinks of negotiations with ULFA as basically a process of waiting till the latter is ready to surrender - the only talk it wants is to check out if they are ready for that - and if that ever happens, they have a stdandard face saving formula that they will offer - bits of special powers for the state, maybe inner line permit, lots of central funds (to fatten the leaders) and a political process to return them to power in the state elections.  As I see it, the ULFA has no reason to accept such an offer at this point.   I will have to agree with what you observe above. I harbor similar concerns. The Naga non-negotiations and the stand-still is an example of things to expect. However what is unknown here is whether ULFA will submit itself to a prolonged period of non-ability to put any pressure on GoI, by
 resumption of violence again that is, if the talks do not progress. That would be an unfortunate outcome, in which Assam will be the loser. It therefore behooves the people of Assam--at least those who want to see an end to the hostilities with some essential and measurable gains for Assam, to put political/public opinion pressures on GoI . Similarly on that segment of Assam's establishment and intelligentsia, who is opposed to meaningful and substantive governmental reforms  and regaining of controls over its resources, either willfully or unwittingly.*** I wrote the above on Monday, on my way back to St.Louis. Since then, we have already seen things changing, like ULFA's notice to OIL ( or was it ONGC? ), and an editorial in the Sentinel of yesterday's, in which it criticizes ( rightly, for a change)
 the ghee-belly-governor-general's 'bad-cop' talk, contradicting Delhi's willingness to engage in talks with ULFA for a negotiated settlement of the conflict. While it could be given the benefit of the doubt that Dilli's right hand does not know what its left is doing, a frequent phenomenon, I will be loathe to accept it. It looks more and more like that ol' "good-cop, bad-cop" routine. Does ULFA see the handwriting on the wall? I will have to believe they do, very well.  And it does not bode well.  Like we discussed earlier , here arises the importance of a concerted political effort both on ULFA's part as well as that segment of Assam which is sympathetic to ULFA's efforts on behalf of Assam, as an essential concurrent movement.Reluctantly, I am resigned to 

Re: [Assam] Reforms - The CONCLUSION

[Malabika Brahma]

Very eloquently put together.Rajib Das [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:   And therein lies the problem. The "cohesivenationality formation process", IMHO, is a horse thathas been running backwards for a long time. It has tostop and start getting to run forward.In the NE, there are different strains ofnationalities getting formed. One is the elusive"cohesive nationality" of the NE, many others of theindividual ethnic groups. And yet another is aboutcloser identification with India. That has got to dowith the desire to get economic aspirations being metas in elsewhere in India. This is coming about aseconomic might increases and a pan-Indian culturalmachine bears down - no wonder our "boys" are soworried about the cultural influence of India even asthey take it upon themselves to decide
 what culturepeople should consume. The question is which of allthese "nationalities" have the better likelihood ofwinning out.Historical opportunities for nation building might notbe events such as WWIII. It could also be others -more down to earth in nature - such as the roadslinking mainland India with South East Asia. Theseevents will take nation building in the NE in adifferent direction than being discussed here. Thisnationality building thing is open house. Yet.A more federal structure in India (or evenindependence from it), IMHO, will not come aboutbecause of the armed insurrection of the likes ofULFA. In fact, in the current context of India, thesegroups have a likelihood, at best, of being merespectators. It will come about because differentregions of India were lucky enough to marshall theirresources and their leadership in constructivedirections. It is here that we are different from
 thelikes of China or Turkey in how we have, perhapsinadvertently, chanced upon development. Gujarat todayhas a 15% growth rate and attracts 85% of FDI intoIndia. As Gujarat and other states primarily in thesouth continue their inexorable push towards economicprosperity, they might soon realize their resourcesare being sunk into the Northern Indian states caughtin a timewarp without any hope of recouping theirinvestments. Sooner or later, they will want theirpiece of power. And given their economic strength theywill be in a far better position to wrest that. The likelihood that India will indeed move forwardtowards a federal structure is very high.Unfortunately, at this point, I don't believe, we inthe NE, with our various nation building processes,are playing any part in it. now. To take advantage of historical opportunities (like your third world war), one
 needs to have a strong civil movement at the grassroot level - a cohesive nationality formation process. That is much harder than armed insurrection.  Santanu.  __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 
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Re: [Assam] Secession from India will be death for the Assamese

[Malabika Brahma]

 What Assam will gain?With the out come of a free and fair plesbicite, we can bury the debate and the blood shed for all. It will silence both the Pro and Anti Secession parties for ever.That will mean stability and full focus on development.  Rajen Barua [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  I believe majority of people in Assam will vote against secession. But I believe the maturity of a nation lies in "voluntary union" as opposed "forced union" and thats why I support the concept of instrument of secession in the constitution.This means plebiscite will just be a side game for
 Assam.  Then why waste time and energy?  What Assam will gain?  The fact is, slogans aside,Assam hasjoinedthe Indian Union voluntarily.  Is there anyifs and buts on the issue?.  Nagaland may have case.  But I don't think Assam has any?  Knowing this, where we stand?  Is Nagaland doing anything?  What is our relation to Nagaland?  RB- Original Message -----   From: Malabika Brahma   To: Himendra Thakur   Cc: J Kalita ; assam@assamnet.org   Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 8:24 AM  Subject: Re: [Assam] Secession from India will be death for the AssameseDear Hitendra uncle,Yes. We are the same neighbors
 of Upasana.Although I support the idea of plesbicite in Assam to decide its fate, I am against secession from India and if ever there is a plesbicite, I will vote against secession. Infact I believe majority of people in Assam will vote against secession. But I believe the maturity of a nation lies in "voluntary union" as opposed "forced union" and thats why I support the concept of instrument of secession in the constitution.A nation is just a notion until and unless all the constituents are united voluntarily.Best wishesUtpalHimendra Thakur [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Dear Malabika and Utpal,Did you read the history of American Civil War? The American Civil War is one of the most momentous and controversial periods in American history. This bitter war was fought to stop secession of the southern states. The Southern states were just not allowed to secede. Secession was just out-of-question. No wonder today America is the strongest country in the world.After fighting two world wars, European countries have decided to unite ... step by step ... They are now on the path of economic recovery. Instead of internecine (mutually destructive) wars, they have developed Unity. Instead of secession, they have embraced affiliation.Some people do not want to read history. They say "History is Bunk" ... I emphasize that we must learn from history. I completely agree with you that the Injustice that Assam has gone through must be corrected. The injustice to Assam was committed by a group of sightless people ... including some Assamese leaders. They can be controlled and eliminated. You do not have to secede from India to achieve that. You do not burn the house to kill rats ... you use a rat-trap. Intelligence and skill arerequired to make a good rat-trap. Due to the huge population of Bangladeshi
 infiltrators in Assam, secession from India will bedeath for the Assamese ... the international border between Bangladesh and Assam will melt into thin air and the plight of the Assamese will be the same as the plight of the Chakma tribe. Please consider if you will like to take that risk.With the best wishes,  Himendra----- Original Message -   From: Malabika Brahma   To: Malabika Brahma ; Ram Sarangapani   Cc: assam@assamnet.org   Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 7:01 PM  Subject: Re: [Assam] What prevents India from holding a plesbiciteWhat I typedA nation can be mature only as much as its population will allow it. Don't you think?The nation can alsome only as much mature as the framework will allow it. What I meant was  The nation can also be only as much mature as the framework will allow it. Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Ram da,That would be the easy part (thinking about it)- but the tougher part would to hold one at all. Whether its Kashmir or Assam, it
 is next to impossible to hold one.But peace itself has been elusive and almost impossible to achive in Kashmir and Assam for last 27 years, isn't it? I think more than "impossible", it is the question of gathering the required courage. A nation can be mature only as much as its population will allow it. Don't you think?The nation can also me only as much mature as the framework will allow it. Ram Sarangapani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi there Utpal,No, I don't think I am right all the time -and am sure others think likewise.   There is easy way to find out. Hold a
 plesbicite under a free neutral environment and avoid all bloodshed.That would be the easy part (thinking about it)- but the tougher part would to hold one at all. Whether its Kashmir or Assam, it is next to impossi

[Assam] Not all IIM graduates seek glamors of Corporate World

[Malabika Brahma]

Here is what one of our juniors startedhttp://www.parivaar.org/Please help anyway you can.Utpal Brahma
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Re: [Assam] What prevents India from holding a plesbicite

[Malabika Brahma]

What I typedA nation can be mature only as much as its population will allow it. Don't you think?The nation can alsome only as much mature as the framework will allow it. What I meant was  The nation can also be only as much mature as the framework will allow it. Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Ram da,That would be the easy part (thinking about it)- but the tougher part would to hold one at all. Whether its Kashmir or Assam, it is next to impossible to hold one.But peace itself has been elusive and almost impossible to achive in Kashmir and Assam
 for last 27 years, isn't it? I think more than "impossible", it is the question of gathering the required courage. A nation can be mature only as much as its population will allow it. Don't you think?The nation can also me only as much mature as the framework will allow it. Ram Sarangapani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi there Utpal,No, I don't think I am right all the time -and am sure others think likewise.   There is easy way to find out. Hold a plesbicite under a free neutral environment and avoid all bloodshed.That would be the easy part (thinking about
 it)- but the tougher part would to hold one at all. Whether its Kashmir or Assam, it is next to impossible to hold one.Why do I say this: Whichever side looses, they are going to claim there was widespread intimidation etc, etc. Yes, one could say - get those international observers (Jimmy Carter) to observe. But that is very unlikely. India will never submit to that (claiming sovereignty issues). Add to the equation, that many feel that Assam is filled up with illegal Bangladeshis (and maybe even ISI agents). The question that comes to mind is, if thats the situation (like Pakistanis in Kashmir), why would we ever want to go for a plebicite of a population that would want to merge with B'desh or Pakistan? About a plebicite being bloodless - I seriously doubt if that will be be the turn of events.  I hope someday thenation called
 Indiawill be matured enough to incorporate the "instrument of seccession" in the constitution.A nation can be mature only as much as its population will allow it. Don't you think?--Ram da  On 1/9/06, Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Chandan da thinks he is right. So does Rajen da or Ram da or Mike da or my self. May be we all are right or may be not. It does not matter what I or you feel (the elites of Assam) , what really matters is what the people of Assam feel. May be most of the people in Assam want seperation from India or may be they don't. There is easy way to find out. Hold a
 plesbicite under a free neutral environment and avoid all bloodshed.But somehow I think the present form of GOI does not have the moral courage to face the free and fair ballot that would decide the fate of Assam or NE for that matter. Also the question is whether pro-independence groups of NE have the moral courage face the same. I hope someday thenation called Indiawill be matured enough to incorporate the "instrument of seccession" in the constitution.Utpal Brahma  Yahoo! Cars NEW - sell your car and browse thousands of new and used cars online search now ___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  Yahoo! Messenger NEW - crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail ___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  
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Re: [Assam] ingraji notun bosoror ulog

[Malabika Brahma]

assam netor joriyote xomogro raijoloinotun bosoror ulogaru xubhesya jonalo. axom dexor logotexomogro jogotore probaxi axomia raijor unnoti aru xantir babe prarthona thakil.Utpal aru Malabika[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  priya likhok aru pathok raijxokol,assamnet aru assam.org-or hoi xomuday raijoloi ingraji notun bosoror hiyabhora xubhessa aru antoriki ulog jonalO~ | notun bosortOt jate xokolOre unnoti, xanti aru anondo hoy tar babe bhogowanor usorot prarthona jasilO~. xomuhiyababe jate dukhuni oxomi airO mukholoi ha~hi ahe tar babeO hatjOr kori xewa korilO~.jugal kalitaColorado Springs, ColoradoCheck Out the new free AIM(R) Mail -- 2 GB of storage and industry-leading spam
 and email virus protection.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  
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Re: [Assam] Academic killed in B'lore shootout.

[Malabika Brahma]

This is hardly surprising. I remember reading in the paper couple of months back that the intelligence department had unearthed plans of certain groups whereby they had planned to attack Indias economic interestandso called icons of "modernIndia" ... software companies, institutes of higher learning, medical facilities etc. We do have difference amongst ourselves about whether these so called icons of modern India are steering India ahead in the right direction or whether are a reflectionof elitistIndians, but one thing for sure ... certain groups that want to hurt India know where itcould hurt India (or perhaps theinterest groupsthat control India)the most by scaring away the likes of Microsoft/Oracle that have been so keen to invest in India in the recent years.UtpalRam Sarangapani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 
 A few days ago, a young lady who was heading to work the night shiftin an HP call center was killed. And a couple of days ago, the policearrested a group of suspected terrorists. Always thought B'lore was asleepy little city where nothing much happened. Its just terrible._http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/india.gunman.ap/index.htmlBANGALORE, India (AP) -- A group of gunmen opened fire outside aconference at a premier Indian science institute Wednesday night,killing a retired professor and wounding four other people, officialssaid.The attackers opened fire into a crowd as people were leaving anauditorium at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India'stechnology hub, police commissioner Narayan Gowda told the Press Trustof India news agency. The victims had been
 attending the annualconvention of an Indian research society.The motive for the attack was not clear. Sri Prakash Jaiswal, India'sjunior home minister, told reporters in New Delhi that "it would betoo early to call it a terrorist attack. We have to investigate. Itcould have been targeted at an individual."Authorities quickly threw up a security cordon around the sprawlinginstitute campus in a northern Bangalore suburb, and put the entirecity -- the hub for India's high-technology world and home to scoresof information technology companies -- on alert, said Bhupendra SinghSial, police chief of Karnataka state, of which Bangalore is thecapital.Police identified the dead man as M. C. Puri, a retired professor fromNew Delhi's Indian Institute of Technology, who was attending theconference, the Press Trust of India news agency said. At least one ofthe injured was reported to be in critical condition,
 Indiantelevision reports said.The Indian Institute of Science is one India's leading science andtechnology research centers.___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  
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Re: [Assam] Congratulation

[Malabika Brahma]

Jugal da,CongratulationsAnkur Bora [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Jugalda ,Congratulation. We are so pleased to hear the good news.Ankur,  Dallas , TexasJuktida ,  In a lighter note , I am just curious about the Subject of your mail.  digest , Vol 5.  If it is weight and height , I still could relate that with the news.  You must be excited becoming a "Khura" o)'.   "Kalita, Jukti (GPC.Marketing.Princeton)" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  Hi all: A baby girl Anannya Lonee Kalita was born to
 Banmayuri and Jugal ofColorado Springs early yesterday (4.23 am local time). Both the babyand the mom are doing very well.Jukti KalitaNew JerseyIf you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, please notify the sender, delete it and do not read, act upon, print, disclose, copy, retain or redistribute it. Click here for important additional terms relating to this e-mail. http://www.ml.com/email_terms/___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  ___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  
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[Assam] Info about Gibbon

[Malabika Brahma]

Assam is the only place where Gibbons are found in India. Gibbons are found in Assam Nagaland border. It must have an Assamese name. Does anybody know what the locals call Gibbon ?
		 
 
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Re: [Assam] (no subject)

[Malabika Brahma]

There is actually one incidence where dictatorship really worked. That was the case of Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew . However,it offers no guarantee that his legacy will.Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  At 12:21 PM -0800 11/28/05, Rajib Das wrote:Whether little or much changes is actually debatable. Let us see a few examples if there indeed ARE changes that have taken place with changes in govt. brought about by elections.But you bring in an interesting perspective! So shouldwe bring in dictatorship? That depends upon IF dictatorship is the ONLY possible alternative.One would hope the informed and the able could imagine better alternatives.--- Chan Mahanta
 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:  f. Finally, you should look at how and why Laloo Prasad Yadav was booted out.  But so what? Govts. come and govts. go , but little changes. That is the bottom line. And that is what must be changed. At 9:47 PM +0530 11/25/05, mc mahant wrote: From: mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Assam] To Be or not to Be Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 7:31 AM   talking about opportunity. Money goes to where the
 opportunity is. It is real. Follow the money trail.  f. Finally, you should look at how and why Laloo Prasad Yadav was booted out. Laloo - the messiah of the dalits and the muslims - who gave them the voice - and he was booted out by the same dalits. Even in Bihar - and I was surprised too - the need for opportunity far outweighs today the need to keep their class intact.   Economics My dear Rajib is so different from your simplistic picture! Why are Pan Masala ,Horlicks, Booze,COKE (from coal) attracting huge moneys into Assam today?  And Laloo's loyalty bank shifted just 0.87%--as per media and Statistics.He is their most viable leader.He
 will come back!He was not Booted out!  It was like Congress coming backQuietly into Assam-for no fault of theirs- in the last Assembly elections--when BJP /AGP fought it out." Beauty" of India's direct copy of Westminster/Washington models -where there are basically 2 contenders. There were other forms -like reruns-.No they would destabilize the Nehru clan.  mm  From: Rajib Das <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, assam@assamnet.org Subject: Re: [Assam] To Be or not to Be Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:19:11 -0800 (PST)
 C-da,  In light of your post, let me make a few points:  a. Actually IMHO there is a very REAL possibility in India today. Like I have said before, the chance of doing better TODAY is way more in India than the US. That at this point does not yet apply to Assam. And we all know what are the reasons. My reasons, that is.  b. Actually there are many more of people like us who have stayed back in India and done unbelievably well for themselves and their families and others. Person to person, these statistics are there for everyone to see. All of this obviously has happened in the last
 15 years.  c. As for India's capability, we do know that it is indeed forging forward TODAY. As is China. Their political wills are of different nature. India has a long way to go before they accomplish everything they need to accomplish. But both are well on their roads. Once again, if nations and their focus on what they need to do is to be taken into account, I would re-iterate that at this point, India knows where it is going and perhaps the US does not.  d. The ULFA bogey is a real one in terms of the absence of progress in Assam - especially when you take into account the last 15 years when many
 parts of India has progressed. Ofcourse we have the local political class that chose to abjure their  leadership as well as has GOI. If other states in India has progressed, it stands to reason that they and/or GOI are doing something right.  All I have said is that let us measure how much damage the ULFA has done to Assam's economy in the last 15 years. It is important for that question to be answered - and if answered that they have indeed done enough damage - it is a tool to get them to retire. If our interests are with the people, we do need to understand it. In the same breath let us figure out what damage every other
 party includign GOA and GOI has done. Why the last 15 years - because winds of change have blown in these last 15 years - our sails simply have not caught up with those winds.  e. The exodus is not a matter of emotion. It is greed again. You should check the following - how much money  is flowing into India from outside, how much of that money is flowing from non-resident Indians? The last 35 years is a wrong timeline to look at. It is the next 25 you need to. Perhaps for some it does not matter - the hunt for opportunity. They are too set in their environments to change - their ability to take risks is
 reduced. I am emphasising money here because we are talking about opportunity. Money goes to where the opportunity is. It is real. Follow the money trail. 

Re: [Assam] Begalis and MIT ???

[Malabika Brahma]

  Why was the original thread titled "Bengalis and MIT". I fail to see the connection. Can some one explainUtpalmc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org  
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Re: [Assam] Fwd: Re: Sovereignty--Nothing succeeds like success.-Napolean Pope

[Malabika Brahma]

I am very vocal about my doubt about the future of a sovereign Assam. 

However, in my opinion,the most pragmatic solution to all these debates onsovereignity lie in GOI agreeing to a referrendum to determine the fate of Assam. Both pro and anti sovereign parties should try to convince the people on the merits and ills of a sovereign Assam and then let the people decide what they want. The GOI and ULFA, NDFB etc should also have to moral courage to face the outcome of a referrendum held in a fair democratic way.

Having said the above, if a referrendum is ever held to determine the future of the region, I would vote against sovereignity. In fact I am sure most of the people in the region feel the same way and the outcome of the referrendum will go against sovereignity. That's why I think GOI should agree to a referrendum.

But we (whether pro or anti sovereignity group) should have the courage to face and honor the verdict of the people. I hope GOI will some day feel that way.Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 



ULFA can mentor anyone ? -- perhaps only in the art of killing - thats my view.

 Anyone can have any view. Does not really take any skills, of any kind, to mouth off.

But what is the value of such opinions?






At 7:38 PM + 11/8/05, umesh sharma wrote:
I was seeing an exhibition on Napolean yesterday at National Geographic Scoeity's HQ -- how Napolean used the "Mentor" of Catholics - the Pope -- to get himself declared the Emperor of France. Later asked the Pope to step down from his position. Mentors are dangerous unless chosen wisely-- they can be like false prophets or false Gurus. One has to be very careful while choosing mentors.

ULFA can mentor anyone ? -- perhaps only in the art of killing - thats my view.

UmeshDilip/Dil Deka [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I forgot to send a copy to Assamnet. It was meant to be public discussion.
Dilip Deka
"  It ought to be apparent to anyone with half a working brain."  I believe the full working brain meant to say "It ought to be apparent to anyone with a half working brain." I'd thinkhalf a working brain, though it is not wholesome, is better than a brain not working because it still works, buta half working brain is dangerous. You never know when that halfworking brain is actually working and when it is not working. :-) :-)

Humor aside, this attack of disparagingwords needs to stop. It does not do anyone any good. It just aggravates personal relations. There have been so many instances of thisin the past but the writers don't seem to realize when to stop.

About "mentoring" the indigenous people in Assam, I am eagerly waiting to hear what Utpal Brahma has to say. From my side I'd say if mentoring is the solution, why wait for mentoring to start after "sovereignty" and not get an early start now? How come the "mentees" didn't accept it in the past and why should citizens of equal rights accept it in the future? There is something hokey and dangerous in this thought process.

Dilip DekaChan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
At 2:04 AM + 11/8/05, umesh sharma wrote:
The question is : are the demanders of sovereignity (read ULFA and fellow travellers) arequalified to be mentors of anyone.




Umesh

 It ought to be apparent to anyone with half a working brain.













mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
ForThose Antagoniststo Sovereignty for Assam who cite everytime "what IF the INDIGENOUS(as if Assamese are not)peoples say NO/"--read this sent in by Umesh.
Hope you will see the point.

Power Mentoring: How Successful Mentors and Protégés Get the Most Out of Their Relationships
by Ellen Ensher and Susan Murphy
Jossey Bass, 2005
November 7, 2005
Many prominent leaders across the public and private sectors attribute their success to the strong mentoring relationships they developed in their careers. Even Bill Gates, who rose from nerdy, disheveled programmer to software company giant, benefited from an early mentoring relationship: As a student at Seattle’s Lakeside High School, he landed his first computer job thanks to the guidance of a high school teacher, Fred Wright. Wright also mentored Gates’ classmates and fellow computer club members—three of whom went on to become programmers at Microsoft, and another, Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft.
In this book, management professors Ellen Ensher and Susan Murphy use Gates to explore the concept of “power mentoring.” Power mentoring simply means that protégés do not rely on one particular person for support, but rather strategically cultivate a variety of mentors for support and advice.
The traditional mentoring relationship in corporate America used to involve an older, wiser executive who selected a protégé of similar background and career interests. Mentor and protégé may have attended the same college or shared the same social milieu. The mentor groomed the protégé in his image, dispensing professional wisdom as well as secrets of the organization.

Ensher and Murphy, 

Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy Alternatives

[Malabika Brahma]

I am still curious about the following 2 question answers


1. Prove thatpeople Assam (not just ULFA) want to be represented by PCG. 

2. Define who they are representing. Will the political boundary of a sovereign Assam intrude into the political boundary of a sovereign Bodoland, Nagaland? What makes you think that Bodos or other ethnic groups in the region want their fate be determined by PCG ? 

mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:



Most readable/workable plan so far. CRUXduly noted forpossible use.
mm
The stress should on a sovereign economic rather than political region by getting economically integrated to our natural hinderland.







From:Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED]To:assam@assamnet.orgSubject:Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy AlternativesDate:Tue, 1 Nov 2005 18:37:31 + (GMT)


The 1st thing PCG should do are the following :



1. Prove thatpeople Assam (not just ULFA) want to be represented by PCG. 

2. Define who they are representing. Will the political boundary of a sovereign Assam intrude into the political boundary of a sovereign Bodoland, Nagaland? What makes you think that Bodos or other ethnic groups in the region want their fate be determined by PCG ? 



As it stands now, sovereign Assam will be limited to a few pockets in Jorhat, Nagaon and Nalbari. Surely my district (Kokrajhar) will not have anything to do .



I personally feel Kashmir and Assam are entirely different cases. Perhaps majority of the people of Kashmir want indepence and perhaps sovereign Kashmir is good for the Kashmiri people. 



But the same does not hold good for the people of Assam for the simple reason that for the same reason North Easterners have lost trust with the republic of India, various ethnic groups in Assam haveno greatertrust with the Assamese speakers in Assam. It is just a vicious circle.



What will be worth while is



1. PCG takeinitiative in building up a consensus in the national level (involve reformist from all over India) that the set up of India needs to be changed and a more federal India is the solution. I agree we need to free North East from the diktat of the cow belters but a complete independence is not only an Utopian dream but will lead to more blood shed within ourselves.

2. Remove economic boundary between North East and Bangladesh, Mynmar and China. They are part of our natural hinderland.



The real solution is a world without Nation and Country and worst of all religion focused on the concept of God. 



While we are far away from that state, further division in the name of ethnicity and region is a step backwards. A quest for sovereign Assam and the sub-sequent mess that will follow (each group demanding their own land and the resulting conflict) is just that.



One can argue that “That exactly what Brits said about India pre 1947”. While a post British India did split into 2, the fight over religion still continues. In North East today we will see more blood shed than what we have seen between Hindustan and Pakistan.



But first thing comes first:

Define who you are representing and show us the intended political map of sovereign Assam. The stress should on a sovereign economic rather than political region by getting economically integrated to our natural hinderland.



mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:






I repeat--come up with YOUR complete PLAN . COME OUT!

Don't miss the boat.

mm












From:Rajib Das [EMAIL PROTECTED]To:assam@assamnet.orgSubject:Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy AlternativesDate:Mon, 31 Oct 2005 18:25:06 -0800 (PST)Whoa... no private property? I assume that also meansno private enterprise. Sounds communist to me!Worse - if we are talking demobilization from barracksand mobilization into farmlands - sounds somewhat likePol Pot. I mean if you demobilize from barracks, youcould be demobilizing from a whole lot of otherthings.Unfortunately these revolutionary ideas soundedrevolutionary some decades back. And then unspeakablehorrors visited people where these supposedlyrevolutionary ideas took root.Question is - who will do the demobilization andmobilization, who will own land and other 
property,who will decide what enterprises will come in?In short, who will decide my fate?Mikeda, this sounds downright sinister!!! Or am Igetting something wrong?--- mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:-The PEOPLEare the people. Like you and me- withbits of ideas-some group will Edit /present.The CURE is Governance by the people-athome/village/block/district/valley/Assamlevel-tosuit their lifestyle-needs-resources--materials/human/livestock.Land use will beregulated-no private property .Each can evolve theirvalue system/currency. Englishlaw/police/lawyer/MyLord Justice are waste. Mandarins- ICS/IAS- waste.Best of youth will not be fatteningidly in army barracks. Demobilize them into
 thefarmlands. 
Religion-Idolatry-Rituals-- " Go ahead-yourloss". Add up all results of science and 

Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy Alternatives

[Malabika Brahma]

I wish PCG a success. Afterall peace should prevail in Assam.

But I want to stress that unless PCG addresses these questions and succeeds in taking all cross section of the people into confidence, I don't see PCG arrive at a solution that will be acceptable to all.Dilip/Dil Deka [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Mukulda,
These are very pertinent quesions. Could you please givedirect answers?
DilipMalabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I am still curious about the following 2 question answers


1. Prove thatpeople Assam (not just ULFA) want to be represented by PCG. 

2. Define who they are representing. Will the political boundary of a sovereign Assam intrude into the political boundary of a sovereign Bodoland, Nagaland? What makes you think that Bodos or other ethnic groups in the region want their fate be determined by PCG ? 

mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:



Most readable/workable plan so far. CRUXduly noted forpossible use.
mm
The stress should on a sovereign economic rather than political region by getting economically integrated to our natural hinderland.







From:Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED]To:assam@assamnet.orgSubject:Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy AlternativesDate:Tue, 1 Nov 2005 18:37:31 + (GMT)


The 1st thing PCG should do are the following :



1. Prove thatpeople Assam (not just ULFA) want to be represented by PCG. 

2. Define who they are representing. Will the political boundary of a sovereign Assam intrude into the political boundary of a sovereign Bodoland, Nagaland? What makes you think that Bodos or other ethnic groups in the region want their fate be determined by PCG ? 



As it stands now, sovereign Assam will be limited to a few pockets in Jorhat, Nagaon and Nalbari. Surely my district (Kokrajhar) will not have anything to do .



I personally feel Kashmir and Assam are entirely different cases. Perhaps majority of the people of Kashmir want indepence and perhaps sovereign Kashmir is good for the Kashmiri people. 



But the same does not hold good for the people of Assam for the simple reason that for the same reason North Easterners have lost trust with the republic of India, various ethnic groups in Assam haveno greatertrust with the Assamese speakers in Assam. It is just a vicious circle.



What will be worth while is



1. PCG takeinitiative in building up a consensus in the national level (involve reformist from all over India) that the set up of India needs to be changed and a more federal India is the solution. I agree we need to free North East from the diktat of the cow belters but a complete independence is not only an Utopian dream but will lead to more blood shed within ourselves.

2. Remove economic boundary between North East and Bangladesh, Mynmar and China. They are part of our natural hinderland.



The real solution is a world without Nation and Country and worst of all religion focused on the concept of God. 



While we are far away from that state, further division in the name of ethnicity and region is a step backwards. A quest for sovereign Assam and the sub-sequent mess that will follow (each group demanding their own land and the resulting conflict) is just that.



One can argue that “That exactly what Brits said about India pre 1947”. While a post British India did split into 2, the fight over religion still continues. In North East today we will see more blood shed than what we have seen between Hindustan and Pakistan.



But first thing comes first:

Define who you are representing and show us the intended political map of sovereign Assam. The stress should on a sovereign economic rather than political region by getting economically integrated to our natural hinderland.



mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:






I repeat--come up with YOUR complete PLAN . COME OUT!

Don't miss the boat.

mm












From:Rajib Das [EMAIL PROTECTED]To:assam@assamnet.orgSubject:Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy AlternativesDate:Mon, 31 Oct 2005 18:25:06 -0800 (PST)Whoa... no private property? I assume that also meansno private enterprise. Sounds communist to me!Worse - if we are talking demobilization from barracksand mobilization into farmlands - sounds somewhat likePol Pot. I mean if you demobilize from barracks, youcould be demobilizing from a whole lot of otherthings.Unfortunately these revolutionary ideas soundedrevolutionary some decades back. And then unspeakablehorrors visited people where these supposedlyrevolutionary ideas took root.Question is - who will do the demobilization andmobilization, who will own land and other 
property,who will decide what enterprises will come in?In short, who will decide my fate?Mikeda, this sounds downright sinister!!! Or am Igetting something wrong?--- mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:-The PEOPLEare the people. Like you and me- withbits of ideas-some group will Edit /present.The CURE is Governance by the 

Re: [Assam] On those who are ready to give up their lives...

[Malabika Brahma]

 *** I don't have any quarrel with that. By all means they should. But WHY should I or
 anyone else accept the fact that just because Utpal Brahma asserts he represents the
wishes of the Bodo people, it is indeed the unimpeachable truth? 

You don't have to accept just because I said so and neither do I represent the Bodo people. But is it important or not to find out what could be their wish or it simply does not matter.

I do wish PCG a success. Just wanted to point out some challanges they need to address.

Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:



And tell me why shouldn't they ?


*** I don't have any quarrel with that. By all means they should. But WHY should I or anyone else accept the fact that just because Utpal Brahma asserts he represents the wishes of the Bodo people, it is indeed the unimpeachable truth? 

Tell me how many members of other ethnic groups in Assam (apart from Assamese speakers) have you taken into confidence before you can say that they want their fate be determined by PCG ?

*** First off, the PCG neither has the authority, nor the ability to DECIDE the fate of the people of Assam. It is a profoundly and obviously faulty assumption and thus the questions/comments framed on that assumption have little merit.

From what I read and understand is that the PCG is merely an instrument to set the stage for a negotiated settlement between the Center and ULFA. In that, they don't need to PROVE anything to anybody at all.

But at the same time, considering the reaction of the people across the state and as could be gauged by newspaper reports, a tremendous amount of HOPE is placed on the PCG to be able to pave the way for a successful end to the ULFA
movement. It is to the PCG's credit that they are inviting comments, ideas, participation from the people. One would hope therefore that those who have Assam's welfare in mind, would participate, CONSTRUCTIVELY, instead of attempting to demonize them personally or assign ulterior motives to their efforts.

Anyone wishing to understand what is going on would want to know why such a hope on the what the PCG might accomplish. One could infer from that, by and large, the people do indeed identify with the PCG's mission. We also know that a faction, including certain Assam Netters, DO NOT identify or have any goodwill towards the PCG's mission. That is their choice. Under these circumstances, it is them who are opponents of Assam's interests. They are the ones DO NOT represent Assam. 

IF the PCG and subsequently the ULFA were to succeed in the negotiations with the Center, it would mean certain GAINs for Assam. Gains, which would otherwise not be there. That is exactly why, like Santanu Roy explained so eloquently sometime back, the bigger the support of the people for the PCG and subsequently for the ULFA's positions, the higher and better would the GAINS be for Assam.

However I realize that the option for pursuing the 'apwnar naak kati xotinir jatra bhongo kora' ( to cut off one's nose to spite one's face) remains open for the willing. And it has been hard not to notice the consternation among the self-righteous of Assam Net trashing around not knowing how to deal with being
inconsequential to the developments.

To assert that the PCG does not represent Assam or to assert that Utpal Brahma represents the Bodo people's wishes are equally presumptuous and highly unpersuasive propositions. Similarly the assertions of some of Assam Netters , Indian newspapers and the like that the ULFA do not represent Assam's interests are also baseless, or at best highly questionable.

The ONLY way to be certain about these issues will be to have a free an unfettered debate and a subsequent free and fair referendum.

But I won't hold my breath on that happening anytime soon.




At 9:08 PM + 11/2/05, Malabika Brahma wrote:
 Utpal and others challenges PCG to prove that they represent Assam. Why? Obviously because he/they believe it does not. How do they know that? Are they more informed than the people? You tell us.

How do you know that the PEOPLE may have these questions too. Tell me how many members of other ethnic groups in Assam (apart from Assamese speakers) have you taken into confidence before you can say that they want their fate be determined by PCG ?

I am at least more informed about the sentiments and psyche of Bodos than a lot of other members in this forum. And I can tell you that the questions I raised, will be raised by most of the Bodos.

And tell me why shouldn't they ?




Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Mayur:I reserve my right to reply to posts I choose to.I also do not read everyone's posts. Don't have either the time orthe desire to. I can easily tell who is running with what agenda.And of those that I read,. not everything is deserving of a response.For many reasons. Namely, in no particular order:1: Utterly dumb.2: So ignorant, that it is no use replying to.3: Disingenuous arguments.4: People with an agenda

Re: [Assam] On those who are ready to give up their lives...

[Malabika Brahma]

t out some challanges they need to address.

Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

And tell me why shouldn't they ?


*** I don't have any quarrel with that. By all means they should. But WHY should I or anyone else accept the fact that just because Utpal Brahma asserts he represents the wishes of the Bodo people, it is indeed the unimpeachable truth?

Tell me how many members of other ethnic groups in Assam (apart from Assamese speakers) have you taken into confidence before you can say that they want their fate be determined by PCG ?

*** First off, the PCG neither has the authority, nor the ability to DECIDE the fate of the people of Assam. It is a profoundly and obviously faulty assumption and thus the questions/comments framed on that assumption have little merit.

From what I read and understand is that the PCG is merely an instrument to set the stage for a negotiated settlement between the Center and ULFA. In that, they don't need to PROVE anything to anybody at all.

But at the same time, considering the reaction of the people across the state and as could be gauged by newspaper reports, a tremendous amount of HOPE is placed on the PCG to be able to pave the way for a successful end to the ULFA
movement. It is to the PCG's credit that they are inviting comments, ideas, participation from the people. One would hope therefore that those who have Assam's welfare in mind, would participate, CONSTRUCTIVELY, instead of attempting to demonize them personally or assign ulterior motives to their efforts.

Anyone wishing to understand what is going on would want to know why such a hope on the what the PCG might accomplish. One could infer from that, by and large, the people do indeed identify with the PCG's mission. We also know that a faction, including certain Assam Netters, DO NOT identify or have any goodwill towards the PCG's mission. That is their choice. Under these circumstances, it is them who are opponents of Assam's interests. They are the ones DO NOT represent Assam.

IF the PCG and subsequently the ULFA were to succeed in the negotiations with the Center, it would mean certain GAINs for Assam. Gains, which would otherwise not be there. That is exactly why, like Santanu Roy explained so eloquently sometime back, the bigger the support of the people for the PCG and subsequently for the ULFA's positions, the higher and better would the GAINS be for Assam.

However I realize that the option for pursuing the 'apwnar naak kati xotinir jatra bhongo kora' ( to cut off one's nose to spite one's face) remains open for the willing. And it has been hard not to notice the consternation among the self-righteous of Assam Net trashing around not knowing how to deal with being
inconsequential to the developments.

To assert that the PCG does not represent Assam or to assert that Utpal Brahma represents the Bodo people's wishes are equally presumptuous and highly unpersuasive propositions. Similarly the assertions of some of Assam Netters , Indian newspapers and the like that the ULFA do not represent Assam's interests are also baseless, or at best highly questionable.

The ONLY way to be certain about these issues will be to have a free an unfettered debate and a subsequent free and fair referendum.

But I won't hold my breath on that happening anytime soon.




At 9:08 PM + 11/2/05, Malabika Brahma wrote:
 Utpal and others challenges PCG to prove that they represent Assam. Why? Obviously because he/they believe it does not. How do they know that? Are they more informed than the people? You tell us.


How do you know that the PEOPLE may have these questions too. Tell me how many members of other ethnic groups in Assam (apart from Assamese speakers) have you taken into confidence before you can say that they want their fate be determined by PCG ?

I am at least more informed about the sentiments and psyche of Bodos than a lot of other members in this forum. And I can tell you that the questions I raised, will be raised by most of the Bodos.

And tell me why shouldn't they ?




Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Mayur:I reserve my right to reply to posts I choose to.I also do not read everyone's posts. Don't have either the time orthe desire to. I can easily tell who is running with what agenda.And of those that I read,. not everything is deserving of a response.For many reasons. Namely, in no particular order:1: Utterly dumb.2: So ignorant, that it is no use replying to.3: Disingenuous arguments.4: People with an agenda that is abhorrent to me.5: Stupid assumptions.6: Absurd claims.7: Comments that have little purpose other than to assert onesown righteousness, how prescient they are and so forth.8: Pseudo-philosophical gobledy-gook.So on and so forth.Also, as much as I try to respond to people's questions orchallenges, I get tired of obliging because my questions andchallenges! rarely get replied to.Take your own comments for example. I challenged you in my la! st post
 about YOURSELECTIVE outrage a

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[Malabika Brahma]

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Re: [Assam] Is United States becoming hostile to science?

[Malabika Brahma]

 But then if you notice 5000 years of history, the I don't think religions are going away in a 1000 years - may be some specific ones will and others will emerge. I agree.Religions (or perhaps more accurately philosopphy) are necessary to some extent as a guidance to life. But not necessarily the concept of God ( with questionable existence at best if you are spiritual and definitely "non existent" if probed with an openmind), which the central theme of today's religion.The present day religions and the present day Gods have created more blood-shed and division than Communism or Facism combined.

Just my opinion.Rajib Das [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
But then if you notice 5000 years of history, thegreat religions of the world are the institutions thathave survived and flourished, even as countries wereborn, mutated, transformed, gobbled up etc.More importantly, great empires were built (andexpanded upon) on the fervour for the god/s of thosecivilizations - starting from the Greeks to thePersians to the Arabs to the Europeans.I don't think religions are going away in a 1000 years- may be some specific ones will and others willemerge. --- Malabika Brahma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:  With due respect to religiously inclined people (be in Hindu's, Christian, Muslim or whatever), what do you think 1000 year ahead in future people will look back and say about the religions practiced today?  
   I hope they would say " Good we got over them. Those primitive ideas only divided people and encouraged them to go for each other's throat".The learned pundits 2000-3000 years back surely penned down some nice ideas and norms in the society that was perhaps relevant to that time. But now it only divides people. And to have an education system influenced by those conservatives is a sacrilege by itself.The sad part is I see US getting more and more conservative. If we look at the Bush nominations for supreme court (Sandra Day O'Connor, who was made to withdraw and Samuel Alito, the current nominee), both have one aspect in common - both are absolute right wing conservatives.   This is certainly not a very encouraging sign in a country which led the world in liberal
 thinking. Unfortunately only the North East Coast and the West Coast (California) still upholds the liberal flag .  Dilip/Dil Deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: The title of the msnbc article is, "Is United States becoming hostile to science?" The heading raised a question in my head. The people who do not accept evolution - do they accept theories from the other areas of biology? How about physics and chemistry? Do they accept Newton's and Einstein's theories? How about atoms and molecules, and avogadro's number? Have they said anything about scientists' findings on chemical composition of the human body that it is mostly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, the same elements found in all living beings?  It appears they have a problem with big bang theory also. Again is it because it has something to do with the origin of
 human life? I haven't seen any publication that clearly defines what the "intelligent design" people believe and do not believe. Have you? Dilip=======  Malabika Brahma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2005 16:19:10 + (GMT) From: Malabika Brahma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: assam@assamnet.org Subject: [Assam] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9853293/  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9853293/   - Yahoo! Messenger NEW - crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org ___ assam
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[Assam] How Indians won the last 5 consecutive Science Olympiads

[Malabika Brahma]

An interesting artcile

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1273027.cms
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Re: [Assam] Avian Flu and Assam

[Malabika Brahma]

The avian flu is non scary as long as it does not mutate and does not jump from human to human. The moment it starts jumping from human to human (which is only a matter of time, given the dynamics of mutation and the historical evidence), it starts becoming scary. 

---" . Can we call the birds from cold lands to fly into Clean Assam? Or can we advertize in Seniors' journals "Come and die in disease-free Bodoland in the Himalayan foothills of Assam. We will look after you like our Granpas and Granmas for only a fixed once-off Retirement fund"? 

Now that what I would call lateral thinking. But we should not forget to mention the drawbacks -- "Come and die disease-free" in a land where there is no medical set up worthy to speak of.

mc mahant [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:



Virology-Avian--mechanisms of spreading.
As an engineer and hence -not at all knowledgeable on the subject I would meekly point out the fact that nothing spectacular has been reported worldwide till date. 
May be the strain repoted -by an English Lab-assuming they are correct- of a few found attacked in Rumania and TurkeyIS THE SAME as that of the one one reported by Vietnam/China/Russia. 
That still does not confirm of contagious spread. Look at the maps on bird migration. These lands are not on the path.
And winter migration to Assam peaks around late November. So the last word has not been said.
Hopefully Assam is spared this time round. Can we then take credit for something like"See our environment is pollution free---" . Can we call the birds from cold lands to fly into Clean Assam? Or can we advertize in Seniors' journals "Come and die in disease-free Bodoland in the Himalayan foothills of Assam. We will look after you like our Granpas and Granmas for only a fixed once-off Retirement fund"? I always thought this a real possibility to keep the naturally hospitable and healthy Bodo villagers busy with a healthcare industry.
mm




From:Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED]To:assam@assamnet.orgSubject:[Assam] Avian Flu and AssamDate:Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:36:03 +0100 (BST)


Does any one know whether the Govt has taken any steps to combat the deadly avian flu in Assam and NE ? Its proximity to SE Asia and the migratory birds do pose a serious threat for avian flu and I am afraid we do not have any testing facility at all to detect traces of the virus amongst the birds in Assam.



This makes Assam and India very vulnerable.






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Re: [Assam] Assam Srength

[Malabika Brahma]

Very well said. There are some real do-ers, potential investors, entrepreneurs amonst the diaspora population, but you won't find them in these forums for the simple reason that they are busy doing, not talking or doing analysis-paralysis.
 Dear Assamese Diaspora  The strength of the Assamese is that they feel about Assam, express concern about Assam and talk big about Assam only after leaving their beloved state for greener pasture and then spend one hour each day trying to improve Assam through Internet from their air conditioned room, eating Hamburger or KFC.  The weakness is that they see everything forign is very good. I am inviting the Assamese diaspora.. Come back, fight the heat and dust and then express your love and work for Assam. If you can not stop thinking about Assam. Do something rater than wasting your energy blogging.  When you talk of pebicite or self rule, I feel pity for all of you beacsue you are still in
 Utopian dream of flying someday to new nation called Assam from New Jersy or New york.  People will admire you if you collectively do something rather than wasting energy. Pitfully Assamese diaspora have always been thinking and behaving in the manner of aliens.  I am awaiting a howl of protest from all of you. I welcome strong debate.  Mrinal Talukdar Pub Sarania, Guwahati  ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org __Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___assam mailing
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Re: [Assam] Assam Srength

[Malabika Brahma]

Also, Utpal, it is good to know that the people that do not write in these forums are spending their sparetime doing good for Assam.Yeah, right! That is the ONLY alternative that they findto writing here.
And yes, it is also an advantage to have a rich family background so that you don't need to bother about anything but spend your entire savings helping everybody - all you need is a 'big heart', isn't it??

Alpana ba,

That was not what I meant. I was just lamenting the fact that we as Assamese diaspora living abroad, have not been able to contribute to Assam what many others have done. This includes me as well. 

However much I may argue or engage in debates, when it comes todoing things that matter, our contribution have not been that significant. I would not like to comment on others, but when it comes to finger pointing I would like to finger point on me.

Education : Masters from one of the best schools in India.
Helped In creating/generating employment in Assam : 0
Influenced Global Corporations in investing in Assam : 0

What Assam needs is contribution from children like us in employment generation and investment. And where do you think we (the diaspora's) figure ?

You and I can make a lot of arguments and counter arguments, but we won't really count for the down trodden denizens of Assam unless we do things that they need. That is to create jobs and market the potential of Assam internationally. 

And its the number of $$s that created a difference in Assam that matters not how many kilo-bytes of emails we generated.

The idea was not to get bogged down in blame game. Just a little introspection. 


"Alpana B. Sarangapani" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


An honest,hardworkingYET poor farmer from a village could blamethe ones living ina concrete(or Assam-type)building in acity in Assam,equally, saying:- 
How could you afford to communicate with THEM diaspora, using a computer that costs about Rs. 20,000/? Or Rs. 25/ (or however much!) an hour to sit in an internet cafe to communicate with them?
How could you even go to school, to be an expert in all these things, when I had to plough the land, give half of the harvest to someone who owns the land - though thats not the law anymore, carry water from a pond two blocks away, make my children sleep under the bed when it rains, so they won't catch cold from the rain water, waste months going to the river banks looking for'Ikora' or the bamboo pieces (I don'thavethem grown right herein my backyard)to mend the "four walls" - the 'baahor-bera' to protect my children from the cold air in the winter season -let alone the harmthat anyintruder may cause?
And yes, the diasopora need to stop talking about the possible things that theymay/want todo for AssamIF that hurts Assam. 
Thusthe blame game goes on. What is new? 
Also, Utpal, it is good to know that the people that do not write in these forums are spending their sparetime doing good for Assam.Yeah, right! That is the ONLY alternative that they findto writing here.
And yes, it is also an advantage to have a rich family background so that you don't need to bother about anything but spend your entire savings helping everybody - all you need is a 'big heart', isn't it??



From: mrinal talukdar [EMAIL PROTECTED]Reply-To: mrinal talukdar [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: assam@assamnet.orgSubject: [Assam] Assam SrengthDate: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 06:13:42 +0530Dear Assamese DiasporaThe strength of the Assamese is that they feel about Assam, expressconcern about Assam and talk big about Assam only after leaving theirbeloved state for greener pasture and then spend one hour each daytrying to improve Assam through Internet from their air conditionedroom, eating Hamburger or KFC.The weakness is that they see everything forign is very good. I aminviting the Assamese diaspora.. Come back, fight the heat and dustand then express your love and work for Assam. If you can not stopthinking about Assam. Do something rater than wasting your energyblogging.When you talk of pebicite or
 self rule, I feel pity for all of youbeacsue you are still in Utopian dream of flying someday to new nationcalled Assam from New Jersy or New york.People will admire you if you collectively do something rather thanwasting energy. Pitfully Assamese diaspora have always been thinkingand behaving in the manner of aliens.I am awaiting a howl of protest from all of you. I welcome strong debate.Mrinal TalukdarPub Sarania, Guwahati___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
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Re: [Assam] Assam Srength

[Malabika Brahma]

Chandan da,

The answers to these questions are too obvious and have been debated over and over in the net since the Jurassic Age. Lets say the roots to all these problems lie with India. Do you really think we NRA could only contribute to Assam's development when David has finally won over the big bad Goliath ? And even in the most optimistic case , how many years do you think it will take and till then how many years of finger pointing and cyber arguments do you think Assamese diaspora would be involved in? And where do you think the rest of the world would be in comparison to our Assam?

I am no particular fan of India or of the Cow Belt. I do not think India Bashing is a crime. I do not think it is a PAAP to consider Assam does not belong to India. But I do not think we are in a position to wrestle control from the Union of India without inflicting so much wound on ourselves that we may never be able to recover.

Tell me Chandan da, which onewe would find more gratifying :

Choice 1 : We spend rest of our life pointing out why things are not going to work in Assam and what ails Assam.
Choice 2 : We realised we can not make a heaven out of Assam in one day but we won over the problems/challanges presented in Assam in ourown way tocontribute to the Assamese society bycontributing to its economy (does not matter whether Assam remained a part of India or independent).

I can understand the sentiments of residents from Assam when they say Assamese diaspora has not contributed enough. Sure, the numbers prove it. As they say in America, it's only the bottom line that matters. And that's where we are ZILCH !!

I went to a alumni get together over the week-end and met our old alumni Jerry Rao (who was a Country Manager in Citi Group , India and was amongst the top 15 Citi executives in the world). And I would definitely value his words because he is a doer. He left the US in 2000 to start Mphasis and he has created employment for 9000 people in India in a matter of 5 years. He comes from a middle class background. He pointed out India is definitely changing . It took him 1 year to get the license to open up 1 ATM machine in 1988 !!! Things move much faster now. So when he says it is much easier to contribute to India now, I would buy it rather than from one of us who have not even tried.

We diaspora are perhaps the most privileged children of Assam in terms of education, family background or whatever. The choice is ours, whether we want to remain finger pointer for rest of our lives or we really want to make those numbers look better.

And these numbers are :

How many employments have we generated in Assam.

I am ZILCH !!!Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:



Hi Utpal:

As a graduate of IIM and thus being very savvy about business can you help us understand the following:

 * WHY is it that NRAs are not returning to Assam by the droves to
 set up businesses, factories or other employment generating ventures?
 
 * Are the NRI business ventures in India for charity, or for
 making money primarily but thus generating employment too? And how
 many are doing so, I mean setting up businesses in India? Let us however
 not equate buying expensive flats in Gurgaon to setting up
 businesses, even though flat buying too does, marginally, create
 some jobs.

 * Are ex-pat Indians investing in India in the same degree as
 Indians investing in the UK for example? If not why? Does what Santanu 
 touched on the other day, on transparency, on property rights, on
 dispute resolution mechanisms etc. have any impact? Or are those
 excuses of India bashers only :-)?

c-da














At 10:00 PM +0100 9/22/05, Malabika Brahma wrote:
Also, Utpal, it is good to know that the people that do not write in these forums are spending their sparetime doing good for Assam.Yeah, right! That is the ONLY alternative that they findto writing here.
And yes, it is also an advantage to have a rich family background so that you don't need to bother about anything but spend your entire savings helping everybody - all you need is a 'big heart', isn't it??

Alpana ba,

That was not what I meant. I was just lamenting the fact that we as Assamese diaspora living abroad, have not been able to contribute to Assam what many others have done. This includes me as well.

However much I may argue or engage in debates, when it comes todoing things that matter, our contribution have not been that significant. I would not like to comment on others, but when it comes to finger pointing I would like to finger point on me.

Education : Masters from one of the best schools in India.
Helped In creating/generating employment in Assam : 0
Influenced Global Corporations in investing in Assam : 0

What Assam needs is contribution from children like us in employment generation and investment. And where do you think we (the diaspora's) figure ?

You and I can make a lot of arguments and counter arguments, but we won't really count for the down trodden denizens

Re: [Assam] Assam Srength

[Malabika Brahma]

Alpanaba,

Please take care of yourself from Rita. You did spell Deisha's name right. Ifyou want to visit NJ while running away from Rita, please be our guest.

We will engage over these debates once you return safely from your escape from Rita. BTW Deisha liked your gift. Say hi to Ram da and Nitin.

Utpal
"Alpana B. Sarangapani" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


Education : Masters from one of the best schools in India.
Helped In creating/generating employment in Assam : 0
Influenced Global Corporations in investing in Assam : 0
That is our ineptness. We haven't been able to do it. 
But that is not theONLY way to help Assam. In my book, even if I helped one person (or one family or one neighborhood)tolive abetterlife, I would feel that at least I tried anddid what I could. 

And I would like to do that with my own hard earned money,not from my spouse's or somebody else in my family- notunless I hit the jackpot playing Texas lotto which will be my own money too and will help me to generate employment in Assam and even satisfy one of the criteria of helping Assam that you put. Don't get me wrong, I am a team player, but not at somebody else's cost, thats all. 

And I don't think merely livingwithin the geographical boundaryof Assam would give me that feel or a clear conscience to tell off others, even ifI reallydid something for my society. That's all.

BTW, while doing this, I forgot I may have to run for my life - depending on Rita's mood who seems to have changed her path a bit and turn into a 'category 4'now. 

Take care, and say hello to Deisha (did I spell it right?) for me. 



From: Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: "Alpana B. Sarangapani" [EMAIL PROTECTED], assam@assamnet.org, [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: Re: [Assam] Assam SrengthDate: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 22:00:39 +0100 (BST)

Also, Utpal, it is good to know that the people that do not write in these forums are spending their sparetime doing good for Assam.Yeah, right! That is the ONLY alternative that they findto writing here.
And yes, it is also an advantage to have a rich family background so that you don't need to bother about anything but spend your entire savings helping everybody - all you need is a 'big heart', isn't it??

Alpana ba,

That was not what I meant. I was just lamenting the fact that we as Assamese diaspora living abroad, have not been able to contribute to Assam what many others have done. This includes me as well. 

However much I may argue or engage in debates, when it comes todoing things that matter, our contribution have not been that significant. I would not like to comment on others, but when it comes to finger pointing I would like to finger point on me.

Education : Masters from one of the best schools in India.
Helped In creating/generating employment in Assam : 0
Influenced Global Corporations in investing in Assam : 0

What Assam needs is contribution from children like us in employment generation and investment. And where do you think we (the diaspora's) figure ?

You and I can make a lot of arguments and counter arguments, but we won't really count for the down trodden denizens of Assam unless we do things that they need. That is to create jobs and market the potential of Assam internationally. 

And its the number of $$s that created a difference in Assam that matters not how many kilo-bytes of emails we generated.

The idea was not to get bogged down in blame game. Just a little introspection. 


"Alpana B. Sarangapani" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


An honest,hardworkingYET poor farmer from a village could blamethe ones living ina concrete(or Assam-type)building in acity in Assam,equally, saying:- 
How could you afford to communicate with THEM diaspora, using a computer that costs about Rs. 20,000/? Or Rs. 25/ (or however much!) an hour to sit in an internet cafe to communicate with them?
How could you even go to school, to be an expert in all these things, when I had to plough the land, give half of the harvest to someone who owns the land - though thats not the law anymore, carry water from a pond two blocks away, make my children sleep under the bed when it rains, so they won't catch cold from the rain water, waste months going to the river banks looking for'Ikora' or the bamboo pieces (I don'thavethem grown right herein my backyard)to mend the "four walls" - the 'baahor-bera' to protect my children from the cold air in the winter season -let alone the harmthat anyintruder may cause?
And yes, the diasopora need to stop talking about the possible things that theymay/want todo for AssamIF that hurts Assam. 
Thusthe blame game goes on. What is new? 
Also, Utpal, it is good to know that the people that do not write in these forums are spending their sparetime doing good for Assam.Yeah, right! That is the ONLY alternative that they findto writing here.
And yes, it is also an advantage to have a rich family background so that you don't need to bother about anything but spend your en

Re: [Assam] ASSAMESE - STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

[Malabika Brahma]

I am totally clueless as well. Hence the question mark (caste hindu ?)

Prasenjit Chetia [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Who are caste Hindu ? Sorry no offence intended out of my ignorance, but I searched google without any reasonable descrption.

Prasenjit
On 9/15/05, Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 




Ram da and Mayur,

By the way, that was Utpal using Malabika's Assamner email id, where we receieve all Assamnet emails.

Mayur, I would like to assure you that I was not really bogged down by the particular word "Mainstream" . I myself is half Bodo and half Assamese (caste Hindu ?) and married to an Assamese (again Caste Hindu?) from Nagaon. 

In response to Ram da's note


 I have not heard dominant cultures others being clubbed together as parallel streams. 

I would say that may be a time has come when we change the mindset. A time has come when we recognize that the key to harmony lies in recognizing plurality with equal status/honor as a fact of life.

Only if we could instill that notion of parallel streams with mutual respect and understanding amongst India/Assam's different religions/regions/languages/cultures,we could do away with a lot ofethnic/regional conflicts that we are so used to seeing. 

Thanks

Utpal Brahma
urlington, NJRam Sarangapani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Hi Malabika,

What is mainstream anyway ?

After reading Mayur's explanation (and your concerns) I feel Mayur is right here.

The term 'mainstream' may not be the right word, but how would you for example,describe the American culture?
Here for example, Whites/Causian are 'mainstream' and others like American Indians or Blacks are not. Does that mean that American Indian culture is 'sub' of the mainstream or the African Amer. of the Whites. I don't know. 

In the US,if Causians are refered to as the Mainstream and Indian Americans (like us)as not Mainstream,would not ruffle my feathers. I know we are not 'sub' anything of Causians. We are just small in numbers.

I have not heard dominant cultures others being clubbed together as parallel streams. 

Hope you guys are doing great. How is Utpal?

--Ram da





On 9/14/05, Malabika Brahma [EMAIL PROTECTED]  wrote: 




1. Alienation of tribal people from the mainstream dueto the cavalier attitude shown by caste HinduAssamese. This has resulted in disunity and a sense ofmutual mistrust among different tribes. (I am a caste Hindu myself

What is mainstream anyway ? Just like the Cow-Belt culture can not be a Mainstream culture in India, the Culture practised by the Assamese speakers in Brahmaputra valley is not considered MainStream by other speakers, for example Bodo. These are different stream, one is not "SUB" to another. What is needed between the 2 streams is appreciation and respect. 




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Re: [Assam] ASSAMESE - STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

[Malabika Brahma]

1. Alienation of tribal people from the mainstream dueto the cavalier attitude shown by caste HinduAssamese. This has resulted in disunity and a sense ofmutual mistrust among different tribes. (I am a casteHindu myself

What is mainstream anyway ? Just like the Cow-Belt culture can not be a Mainstream culture in India, the Culture practised by the Assamese speakers in Brahmaputra valley is not considered MainStream by other speakers, for example Bodo. These are different stream, one is not "SUB" to another. What is needed between the 2 streams is appreciation and respect.


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