Umesh,
>It seems like a very young couple and their kids living in a mud house - >presumably the most economically backward area of Assam (which is already the >most backward region of India ).
It might surprise you, there are places in Madhya Pradesh/UP/Bihar that are far worse than any place in Assam. In my younger days, I have been fortunate to visit some of the far away villages in Assam. In fact, in one particular village (Pokua, Nalbari) I stayed at a friend's ancestral home for about 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks were one of the best vacations I have ever had - better than some of the others in the West.
The term 'backward' specially in Assam's case really refers to the lack of heavy industries, highways, power etc. I don't believe that people in these places are 'economically backward'.
That term seems to connote that 'economically backward' is synomous with 'cultural backwardness'.
Maybe I am reading you wrong, but trust me, I would exchange, in a heartbeat, a sojourn in an Assamese village than probably most other places in India.
The people in many of these villages are often educated and literate. They may be poor (financially), but are rich in hospitality.
Comparing that to scenes in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar (I have travelled MP quite extensively), I would rate Assam's villages at a much higher scale.
--Ram da
On 2/13/06, umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
from www.assamtribune.com the photo of Ajit Mahanta's family at their home in their village. It seems like a very young couple and their kids living in a mud house - presumably the most economically backward area of Assam (which is already the most backward region of India ).This house has hardly any space -it seems - to harbor any militants. However it is possible that due to the backwardness of this village many of its inhabitants might have joined the ULFA (as have residents of backward areas in Bihar and Chhatisgarh in central India) . Since it is a small place it is likely Ajit knew them all as childhood friends and might have said hello to those who ventured into the village from time to time. The army informants told army that this guy knws the militants and can lead you to them.Rest is history.UmeshPS: I know quite a few people in India who might be involved in murders or robberies or might be knowing others who do . If I say hello to them on the street is it enough to get me lifted to the police station and killed.
Umesh Sharma
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Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
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