Sorry Ram.
You have NOT addressed one thing with any substance. You also used my
past comments out of context and keeping out parts of the full
statements. Whether you do it purposely or due to the selective
memory syndrome I don't know. But it is often done by people whose
sincerity of purpose is lacking.
I can go into each issue one by one and show their emptiness. But we
have been there many times before. I will concentrate on those new
ones,. hoping they at least are a tad bit more interested in finding
answers.
c-da
At 11:07 PM -0600 3/1/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
C'da'
I am going to try and respond to as many points as I can in this
round. Will have to keep the rest for later.
>what I consider to be the most important cause: The one involving
governmental unresponsiveness, both state >and central, to the
people's needs, concerns and demands and its utter inability to
deliver on its most >fundamental of duties, leading to the widely
held belief, even amongst those who decry ULFA the loudest , >that
Assam gets step-motherly treatment, that it is treated like
second-class citizens and so forth.
Really! Years ago, when I had indicated that the root cause was just
like the above - ie: economics - where Assam felt left out in
national developemnt. At that time, you had dissagreed, and felt it
was all about how different Assamese culture/rooots etc was from the
rest of India.
But I am gald you have come around to agree and realize that the
basis of most such conflicts is economics - jobs, growth,
development, poverty, etc.
>out of desperations they took to arms, to break free from Indian
rule, and thus, among other things, re-shape their >government to
fit their needs: Political, economic, cultural and what have you.
Of course, they did. The rest of us in Assam had no earthly clue
what was going on.
And I guess the $210 million and $600 million amounts being bandied
about were something of an afterthought and ULFA's main goal was of
course the "interests of the Assamese people".
>I don't know anyone, in Assam, elsewhere in India or abroad, who
would not want to see an end to the insurgency >and the never-ending
armed conflict. But for that wish to be realistic, the thoughtful
person must ask: What has >changed to the conditions that created
the conflict to begin with?
By that, do you mean the common folks. If however, you are talking
about the ULFA, or some of the politicians, and other opportunists -
you couldn't be further from reality. If what the US think-tank says
is true of Paresh & Co. then the ULFA leadership ain't giving up all
that big money for anything - least of all for Assam. Plus, with
something like this, there is big money (or power) for any number of
folks being involved. Yes, there are some folks who are ready to lay
down their lives for the cause. Those numbers are few and far
between, and are usually those who have been misled by the ulfa
leadership and others. On the whole, most of those who are in
control of this "mess" are NOT at all interested in finding a
solution.
And I sincerely hope I am wrong on this count.
>Many in this forum, past and present, implied -- but never clearly
took a stand that I >can recall, to confidently suggest that YES,
change is possible under prevailing >Indian rule, backed up by
credible evidence. The discussion, as far as I can tell,
is >entirely absent in Assam or elsewhere in India. Only when fresh
violence erupts >there is a temporary awareness but the discourse is
entirely dominated by the 'desi->sekurity-wallas', compliantly and
mindlessly parroted by a large segment of the >Assam establishment.
The change you refer to is "reforms". My take on this is this:
In India, some reforms are taking place. And yet, they are not as
fast, efficient or as much as one would like. Even in Assam, things
are changing, and there have some things (National Games for
instance) which the state can brag about.
For the sake of argument though, even if I were to take your side -
that reforms, under the prevailing "Indian" rule are not possible.
Given that, what makes you think that Assam will be any better (if
not worse) once Assam is "independent"
You fail to realize, like it or not, Assam is married to India in
almost every facet. If India realizes reforms, so will Assam. If if
doesn't, nor will Assam.
And, from the very practical sense, do you think a big country like
India will have absolute no influence (good or bad) on an
independent Assam in all its facets? You name it, Assam will have
it. So, this notion of "independence" is some dream that some lost
souls are still searching. :)
Add to all this, there is a sizable population of khar khowas who DO
NOT share this dream. They feel, live, and swear by India.
>The truth is that India's nationhood is mostly a facade, a
make-believe, just like all its institutions of state, and
its >commitments. No wonder then,the Indian establishment,just like
Assam's, who have acquired a reasonable >standard of living milking
this dysfunctional state's largesse, is terrified of the prospects
of one or more constituents, >like Kashmir, or Nagaland or Assam
leaving
Now, why would that establishment be terrified? Leaving? I do not
think either Kashmir or Assam (or Nagaland) are going anywhere. Yes,
groups like the ulfa can continue with this low-intensity fight with
GOI forces, cause damage here and there - thats about it. From all
that we know of Indian history, whether it is right or not(morally)
- India still has not given up Kashmir,or Nagaland, Manipur, or
Assam.
So, I seriously doubt if the collective establishment either in
Delhi or Assam is woried - specially when there are many Assamese
who do not subscribe to your views.
>upsetting their lifestyles and their aspirations. Never mind the
aspirations of the >overwhelmingly vast majority of their
compatriots who never got to taste their >STATE sponsored well-being.
I am just flabbergasted. So with an independent Assam - can
you assure and show us a game plan where and how all the 'have-nots'
are going to share in this state-sponsored well-being?
>But India's stability ought not to be at the cost of the people of
Assam. Let India take care of itself. It is high time >Assam took
charge of its own affairs.
India's success and stability is for and by all the states - Assam
included. You frequent attempts at driving a wedge between Assam
(and "India") is not working. Assam is very much a part of India and
most Assamese feel they are Indians.
>what I consider to be the most important cause: The one involving
governmental unresponsiveness, both state >and central, to the
people's needs, concerns and demands and its utter inability to
deliver on its most >fundamental of duties, leading to the widely
held belief, even amongst those who decry ULFA the loudest , >that
Assam gets step-motherly treatment, that it is treated like
second-class citizens and so forth.
>I reject the Assamese complaint of being treated unfairly, given
the 'step-motherly' >treatment
C'da - are you arguing with yourself?:) The above two views seem to
contradict each other. But then, maybe I don't get what you are
trying to imply.
>It is a losers' proposition. Assam MUST take charge of its own
affairs, rise to the responsibilities of
governing >itself effectively, planning for its own future. Dilli
can never do it for them.
And how do you prospose this is going to take place. Is there some grand plan?
>But to do that Assam must have control over its resources, and the
FREEDOM to >reorient and radically reform its governmental system.
Again how - how will Assam gain control of "its own resources"? Does
it have enough people wanting a bloody fight with India. And why are
you seeking freedom (from India) - does it not imply that India is
controlling Assam and its resources? (your words, not mine) :):)
Well more on Parts 3, 4 and 5 later.
Regards
Ram
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