<> > sorry guys if i am hurting anybody..>
If you're hurting-its 'cause you said < Nothing,...and take a long time to say that.....>
mm
From: indrani baruah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [asom] Image of Assam from Google earth
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 22:03:32 -0700 (PDT)
>In the past few days, its been heartening to read
>peoples thoughts and feelings on this issue of
>environmental degradation (in this case, loss of
>forest cover) in Assam. Old growth forests are not
>only critical to maintaining climatic balance in a
>region (as they preserve biodiversity and plant gene
>pools), but are also repositories of our cultural
>histories and memories. I strongly believe that
>degradation of the environment is at the core of
>economic and cultural impoverishment of any community
>or region. If we look at history as well as the
>present, this theory holds true.
>
>Its great that we are using this forum to talk about a
>real issue like this and I hope we do not put this at
>the backburner and carry on with our lives. Well, we
>have to get back to our life and work, but the least
>we can do is continue the dialogue and do our part in
>whatever small way we can to alleviate the situation.
>
>To start with, I feel, we have to accept the situation
>in order to be able to do anything about it. We all
>know by now how the whole machinery of bureaucracy and
>self serving politics has destroyed and continues to
>destroy cultural, human, environmental capital of
>scores of communities and regions. We all know the
>game by now. To remind ourselves of it, blame it,
>complain about it, feel pessimistic about it is fine
>as long as we do not stop at that.
>
>Firstly, this process of blame and feeling victimized
>has to end in order to do something positive about the
>issues we feel are important to us. Secondly, we need
>to look around for positive success stories and
>examples, where through grass roots and community
>action people have been able to bring about positive
>change. There are examples to learn from all around
>us, we only need to look closely. We can find examples
>of success stories especially in some of the southern
>states of India. And for all of us in the US, we have
>scores of positive examples to learn from all around
>us, especially in the Bay Area, where we know we are
>at the forefront of environmental change compared to
>the rest of the US. Thirdly, I feel all of us who are
>in the US need to take the initiative or the first
>step towards change just because we have the mental
>space, time and the resources available to us compared
>to people living in India. We all know what it takes
>in India for people to just survive on a daily basis.
>I do not think it is reasonable to expect people
>living in India to be as ready or proactive in these
>issues as we in the US are able to be. Last but not
>the least, we should continue to educate ourselves,
>carry out research, talk and write about these issues
>whenever we get a chance for change to happen in the
>long term. Especially for all of us living in the US
>and all those who have attended Graduate school here,
>we know how easily accessible information of any kind
>is in this country. We should take full advantage of
>those resources, do our research and come up with some
>workable ideas and strategies to bring about both
>immediate and long term positive change.
>
>I know that a lot of us would be in tears if something
>bad happens to the place we all love so much and
>belong to. I am not sure if everyone in this e-mail
>group would be interested in continuing to participate
>in this discussion or we should form a separate forum
>to continue the dialogue. It would be great if
>everyone were interested. Most of you probably do not
>know me as I live in far out Berkeley and have not
>been very involved in the Assamese bay Area community
>or in this e-mail group, but would like to be more
>involved.
>Please suggest what is the best way to continue a
>discussion like this.
>
>On a philosophical note, I would like to reiterate
>that optimism and a can do approach can change
>things. With a little help, nature and natural
>processes have amazing power to heal themselves.
>
> I would like to quote Margaret Mead, an American
>Cultural Anthropologist who said that A small group
>of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed,
>it's the only thing that ever has.
>
>Indrani
>
>--- Manoj Agarwal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > Very true!
> > Constructive criticism is good!
> >
> > --- barnali <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > > lots of endless discussion on this topic,
> > >
> > > i am from the general mass and i knw that sitting
> > > smwhere outside assam and doing a 9 to 7 job, do
> > not
> > > allow you to do smthing for the same. i am sorry
> > it
> > > might sound very harsh, but the feeling is from
> > > inside, is there anybody who seriously think about
> > > the same, we are on the verge of loosing the
> > > greenary.. the changing climate (without rain) has
> > > already given a bad sign.. it might sound funny
> > also
> > > but i am sure that unless we educate the people to
> > > plant even a single plant,nobody thinks seriously,
> > > and like me, most people think that lots of people
> > > are there to think about our environment.. but
> > what
> > > is the fact?
> > >
> > > sorry guys if i am hurting anybody..
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
><*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/assamonline/
>
><*> Your email settings:
> Individual Email | Traditional
>
><*> To change settings online go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/assamonline/join
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
><*> To change settings via email:
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
><*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
><*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
_______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
