Kamal-da,
So what do you suggest? Is it that since floods are a "grim reality"
--so stop living and start worrying?
Umesh
*kamal deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >* wrote:
The tea gardens of Assam are located in the hills !!!?
Floods are everywhere,even in America.Does that mean that we can compare
Assam with any state of the USA ? You did not seem to understand my
point.The scenario of flood was used metaphorically.If you build a castle
where there are no pathways to reach there,what good is it have one at the
first place ? I gave the following example in one of my earlier mails and
let me repeat that again.What would you think about a child,who wants to
run before being able to walk ?
The recurrence of flood in Assam is a grim reality.It has never been an
excuse.
KJD
On 7/5/07, umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:
>
> 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.Restassured--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/
> > > > > > > > ------------------------------
> > > > > > > > New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive
> > > > > > > > emailing. Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail
Championships<http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/mail/uk/taglines/default/championships/games/*http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://mail.yahoo.net/uk/>.
> > > > > > > > Plus: play games and win prizes.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > > 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/
> > ------------------------------
> > Which email service gives you unlimited
storage<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mailuk/taglines/gmail/unlimited_storage/*http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48525/*http://uk.mail.yahoo.com>?
> >
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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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