Kamal-da,
MyMumbai roommate has to wade thru neck deep water at times -as he told me
--- there are floods in Mumbai also ---so why is Guwahati not like Mumbai.
Why do all the engineering colleges have to be in areas where there are
floods -- why not near tea gardens in hill regions?? Why always the excuse
of floods?
at
Umesh
*kamal deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote:
Umesh,
You need not worry about my faith in the Assamese youth.Rest assured--it's
intact.However,I am more concerned about their having to wade through
waist-deep flood water,trying to reach to these engineering colleges that
you are dreaming of !!!
It is a case of Mary Antoinette saying " give them cake",when the masses
were shouting in hunger for bread.Who is having Utopian dream here,I
wonder ?
One can't draw parallel between Bangalore and Assam.Had that been the
case,Bangalore would not have been the hub of IT or Silicon valley of
India.One has to live in Assam for few years to realize the shortcomings
of the government for which the state has been lagging behind so much as far
as basic infrastructure is concerned.
By the way,I would have refused to become the ' mouth organ ' or ' mouth
piece ' of a community about whom I have scant knowledge.
Regards,
KJD
On 7/5/07, umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
>
> Kamal-da,
>
> It is utopian to think that only after ALL infrastructure is in place
> the engineering colleges should be built. Even now in Bangalore there is
> utter disregard for transporttation issues - etc -- traffic jams etc -but
> ......you get the point I am sure. Ofcourse you need infrastructure for the
> colleges -- I am sure local high schools can rise to the occasion.
>
> A Boro from remote Kokrajhar district of Assam (as he told me) Utpal-da
> Brahma (IIT, IIM , NDA select) was a graduate of Kokrajhar Govt High School
> and studied for IIT entrance from correspondence/distance education Agrawal
> clases and Brilliant Tutorials. Have faith in Assamese youth Kamal-da!!
>
> Umesh
>
> *kamal deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote:
>
> That's exactly what I wanted to say.One can't do away with the problem
> of flood,but one can alleviate the sufferings of affected ones to the
> minimum by taking timely and appropriate measures.
>
> As I wrote earlier,setting up of engineering colleges in round numbers
> is okay,but building up of infrastructure is a sine-qua-non of economic
> development.By infrastructure,I mean to refer to the social overhead
> facilities,relating to
> power,roads,railways,banking,communication,education,health etc. *WITHOUT
> THESE FACILITIES ON HAND,TO INSIST ON BUILDING BUNCH OF ENGINEERING COLLEGES
> IS ANALOGOUS TO A CHILD WHO WANTS TO RUN BEFORE BEING ABLE TO WALK !!!!!
> *
>
> Allow me to furnish an example.Out of some 22 thousand villages,more
> than 8000 villages ( I may be little off in citing these figures ) have
> still remain unconnected with all-weather roads.How costly are their
> production,consumption and trade can be easily imagined. *The bottom
> line is this---one can build new engineering colleges as many as he or she
> wants to,but that is not going to cast a magic spell in the economic
> development of Assam unless sincere efforts are made to put those basic
> facilities into proper place. *
>
> KJD
>
>
>
> On 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
> >
> > >Yes,yes--we have to live with it ( I mean,flood ),but can we live
> > with >it using some intelligence ?
> >
> > KJD,
> >
> > We really DO NOT have to live with it Or 'learn to live and dance with
> > floods' like Sarat Singha (I think) said.
> > While it is inevitable, the Stafected oneste Govt. can play a major
> > role in minimizing the affects, loss of life and destruction of
> > crops/cattle.
> >
> > About also thinking about engg. colleges, C'da is correct. This state
> > Govt. does not have to be flood control centric.
> > The govt. ought to be able to cope and prepare for floods (on an
> > annual basis), think also about lessening the blow (floods) for the long
> > term, but also of other things like education, engg. colleges, and general
> > development of areas not developed.
> >
> > The people should expect the Govt. (their elected representatives) to
> > be able to handle all this and more - that is the test the govt. ought to
> > able to pass. (IMHO)
> >
> > --Ram
> >
> >
> > On 7/4/07, kamal deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
> > >
> > > Yes,yes--we have to live with it ( I mean,flood ),but can we live
> > > with it using some intelligence ? Consider this---here is a state,where
> > > flood control department ( flood that brings misery to the people ) is
> > > considered a prize posting, while education department (education, which
is
> > > concerned with the upliftment of a society ) is seen as a punishment
posting
> > > !!!! And this tells you the chunk of the story.
> > >
> > > I can write an scholarly essay as to why one should lay stress on
> > > the improvement of other areas instead of emphasizing on setting up new
> > > engineering colleges at this time.Chandanda has already touched on
> > > those points and I am in total agreement with him.
> > >
> > > KJD
> > >
> > >
> > > On 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi KJD,
> > > >
> > > > >In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the most
> > > > >menacing natural calamity,experienced by the state every year
>particularly
> > > > since the great earthquake of 1950
> > > >
> > > > I agree, this is a much bigger and affecting more people than
> > > > Engg. colleges. And this is a problem that happens every year.
> > > >
> > > > Yes, Umesh did report "after the negative reception he received at
> > > > Boston conference ". Don't know exactly what that means - but will just
> > > > leave it at that,
> > > >
> > > > Regarding the annual floods: Here are thoughts (and I could be
> > > > totally off base in my assumptions)
> > > >
> > > > IMHO, the annual floods are are going to happen every year. I
> > > > don't think we can increase/or decrease floods by human action.
> > > > The river will find the weakest embankments to crest, and will do
> > > > so.
> > > >
> > > > So, what exactly can the state do?
> > > > It can be ready for it every year by taking evasive actions.
> > > > Can be ready with large scale evacuvation plans including
> > > > livestock
> > > > Can identify Highly flood prone areas, and advice settlers of the
> > > > dangers.
> > > > Be prepared with medical facilities
> > > > Rescue operation readiness
> > > > Help farmers get back on their feet with seed/fertilizer supplies
> > > > etc.
> > > > Help farmers acquire flood insurance - the state can mandate
> > > > insurance companies that they must offer reduced rates for farmers. The
> > > > state govt. can help farmers with the bulk of the premiums.
> > > >
> > > > The list can go on.
> > > >
> > > > --Ram
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On 7/4/07, kamal deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi RS,
> > > > > My attention was drawn to the following remark,made by Umesh
> > > > > Sarma.He wrote and I quote " after the negative reception he
> > > > > received at Boston conference where he was only questioned about
annual
> > > > > flooding "
> > > > >
> > > > > In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the most
> > > > > menacing natural calamity,experienced by the state every year
particularly
> > > > > since the great earthquake of 1950.The stagnancy of economy of
> > > > > the state owes much to this recurrent menace.For example,in the
> > > > > course of last ten years,the total damage caused by floods to
> > > > > crops,habitation of people and lives of cattle is estimated at over
> > > > > Rs.1000 crores.
> > > > >
> > > > > The dream of setting up of 111 engineering colleges in Assam is
> > > > > okay ( how many medical colleges will be needed to look after the
ailments
> > > > > of these folks,I wonder ?).But then,one must remember that 76% of
Assam's
> > > > > population is rural-based,who eke out a living from their poor
surroundings
> > > > > and where facilities in the area of power,basic education ,health care
> > > > > benefits,roads/communication/transport etc.are
> > > > > non-existent.Unless these areas are taken care of by the
> > > > > government,economic prosperity is impossible,even if you build
thousands of
> > > > > engineering colleges.
> > > > >
> > > > > KJD
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani < [EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thank you, Umesh for providing an exhaustive account of Assam
> > > > > > 2007.
> > > > > > any mecal colleges
> > > > > > --Ram da
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On 7/3/07, umesh sharma < [EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Hi,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In the Day 2 of the meeting (on Sunday July 1st, 2007) we
> > > > > > > arrived just in time to have the lunch (got value for money - the
$110 we
> > > > > > > had paid each for the Assam 2007) - I was able to identify the
dish with the
> > > > > > > shrimp (and avoided a painful alergy outbreak ) .
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > At the same time meeting of Assam Society was going on - I
> > > > > > > could make out the sentences in English which were focused on
non-profit
> > > > > > > work and fund-raising (of about $2,500 only) and projects been
sponsored and
> > > > > > > monitored in Assam.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Later Partha-da Gogoi presented a passionate presentation
> > > > > > > for the self-help groups and business initiative and mentoring for
> > > > > > > engineering students etc http://www.nepif.weblet.in/ North
> > > > > > > East Professional Institutes Forum
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > under the leadership of Assam Institute of Management
> > > > > > > http://www.aimguwahati.com/ -- which was later shown in
> > > > > > > front of the Chief Minister --
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > alongwith a presentation slideshow of
> > > > > > > http://www.pearllifeline.com/ funded and spearheaded by an
> > > > > > > NRI/NRA http://www.assamtribune.com/may0507/Photo4.html who
> > > > > > > advised US President George Bush on medical stuff.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/
> > > > > > > After that was the persuasive presentation for promoting
> > > > > > > engineering college by Jugal-da Kalita based on research by
Jugal-da (IIT ,
> > > > > > > Phd UPenn - Ivy League Univ, Prof Computer Science, Colorado) ,
Umesh-da
> > > > > > > Tabildar (IIT , NASA, USA ), Jukti-da Kalita (IIT, IIM, PhD
Columbia) ,
> > > > > > > Mantu-da Bhaishya ( BITS, Pilani ) , Ganesh-a Bora (PhD Kansas -
Agriculture
> > > > > > > engineering) , Durba-da Bhattacharya (Prof Computer science -
Tejpur Univ,
> > > > > > > Assam)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > --- with comments on it by Gautom Barua (Director IIT-
> > > > > > > Guwahati Computer Science) and other IIT profs and Dipankar-da
Medhi (Prof
> > > > > > > Computer Science at Kansas and AssamNet Co-founder)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The Chief Minster was in a state of bliss --- especially
> > > > > > > after the negative reception he received at Boston conference
where he was
> > > > > > > only questioned about the annual flooding of Guwahati (he later
spoke of
> > > > > > > Global Warming which might lead initail floods by melting of
glaciers
> > > > > > > followed by drought - when no more glaciers). He said that he is
so pleased
> > > > > > > with these presentation which have a positive note and aim to
improve the
> > > > > > > situation of Assam.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Main Points of the engineering college presentation --
> > > > > > > Orissa has 13,000 employed by Infosys for computer work -- even
though has
> > > > > > > much worse travel connection than Assam. Gautam Barua (IIT - G
director) was
> > > > > > > told by Infosys Chief (Nilekani is IIT batchmate of Gautam-da )
that Assam
> > > > > > > only produces 750 engg grads compared to 13,000 by Orissa - and
Infosys
> > > > > > > wants 80% of its employees to be local -atleast.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Second, Assam has 2.5% of India's population but only 0.2%of its
engineering colleges and only
> > > > > > > 0.17% of its engineering graduates. I agreed with Jugal-da
> > > > > > > that engineering education might act as a "pull" in improving
basic
> > > > > > > education (at school level) .
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Later during lunch Jugal-da, Partha-da and others were
> > > > > > > having lively discussion with the CM. The CM had declared that
his govt had
> > > > > > > declared already that the year 2007 was the Year of Education and
passed a
> > > > > > > Bill (confirmed by his ADC later to me) to open privately run
engineering
> > > > > > > colleges etc. Jugal-da however, told me that he was not able to
lay hands on
> > > > > > > any such Bill being passed by Assam govt - but may have been
introduced.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I was within one feet of the CM and even made eye contact
> > > > > > > but I conceded to the stalwarts waiting to talk to him - who
could have more
> > > > > > > immediate impact or synergy.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Partha-da in his very professional approach showed that it
> > > > > > > was possible to have business outreach delegations to US --
since backward
> > > > > > > states like Jharkhand and Uttranchal have been making waves in
US.
> > > > > > > Utpal-da Brahma (IIT, IIM and National Defense Academy
selected ) was
> > > > > > > of the opinion that first local Indian companies need to be
invited to
> > > > > > > Assam and based on their performance MNCs would get attracted
to invest
> > > > > > > (FDI) in Assam.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > There are more than one way to skin a cat , however!!!!
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Jugal-da and Partha-da rightly noted that NRAs have yet to
> > > > > > > get involved with entrepreneurial ventures and thus, professional
education
> > > > > > > is the key to economic development of Assam -- a fact whole
heartedly
> > > > > > > agreed to by Assam Chief Minister.
> > > > > > > He did say the Assam's economy was growing at 3% before his
> > > > > > > tenure and now is at 6% and want it to go up to 8-9% to catch up
with rest
> > > > > > > of India - and negated my question (anonymous) that corruption
was on the
> > > > > > > rise otherwise how could current growth be possible.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > (My comment - Indian embassy in DC has now opened doors for
> > > > > > > anyone seeking corroption of any other info - under RTI - Right
To Info Act)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Any comments?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Umesh
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Umesh Sharma
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Washington D.C.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > 1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Ed.M. - International Education Policy
> > > > > > > Harvard Graduate School of Education,
> > > > > > > Harvard University,
> > > > > > > Class of 2005
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used )
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
> > > > > > > ------------------------------
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> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > assam mailing list
> > > > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > assam mailing list
> > > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > assam mailing list
> > > > > [email protected]
> > > > > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > assam mailing list
> > > [email protected]
> > > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
> > >
> > >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> assam mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>
>
>
>
> Umesh Sharma
>
> Washington D.C.
>
> 1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
>
> Ed.M. - International Education Policy
> Harvard Graduate School of Education,
> Harvard University,
> Class of 2005
>
> http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info)
>
> http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)
>
>
>
>
> www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used )
>
>
>
>
> http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
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>
_______________________________________________
assam mailing list
[email protected]
http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Umesh Sharma
Washington D.C.
1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info)
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)
www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used )
http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
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