Is there any point in pursuing this discussion?
There is an assumption here that INDIANS, other than NORTH EASTERNERS,
consider other Indians mainstream, but do not have the same attitude towards
the North Easterners. If it is true, then a Gujarati considers a Bihari
mainstream and a Bihari considers a Tamil mainstream; but they all consider us
as not of the mainstream.
Why is that so?
If this basis is correct, why should we beg to be included in that
mainstream? In that case, we are distinct from them as a class, because, we
have a different/ vibrant/ rich identity, if not politically, then definitely
culturally. And we are, and should be, proud of that.
In so far as 'assimilation' is concerned, it cannot be done conciously or
forcefully. A Marwari in Assam now a days can earn his living without having to
learn Assamese like their forefathers did. Now a days, even many Assamese do
without their language and some of them feel proud about that!
The only thing that remains is 'discrimnation' by Delhi authorities towards
our boys and girls studying there. When the entire country pride itself in
baring itself to the western influence, why our guys should be singled out for
special treatment on the plea that certain rape or other untoward things
happened to a few of them. Such things happen to lots of Delhi students,
western or domestic tourists.
The entire question thus boils down to one point: whether Delhi authorities
should presecribe dress code or should gear themselves up to provide safeguard
to the people---dressed, undressed or scantily dressed, without discrimination?
I believe, we should tell them to mind their business and not waste our own
time and energy on this issue.
Malabika Brahma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
What do you think is a better choice :
1. Ask the NE people to be more "mainstream like" in their food or dress
habits. May be even suggest they undergo plastic surgery to look more
"mainstream" like .
2. Educate the "mainstream" Indians that India is a diverse country and not all
look like Harayanvi and "honorable practises" like dowry and female infanticide.
Looks like Delhi police will choose option 1.
Priyankoo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: and why people from the NE region MUST
assimilate to the mainstream culture? In case of Assam haven't we seen more
than 90% of the non-Assamese population never trying to "assimilate" with the
local culture?
If there is a failure on part of the NE population in "assimilating" to the
mainstream culture, may be the reason is the same as why the non- Assamese
population in Assam never "assimilated" to the local culture/s.
best
Priyankoo
Priyankoo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: "Assimilation" is not the aim of the
booklet. It just forces some dos and don'ts to people from a particular region.
In any case, a booklet is never helpful for any kind of "assimilation".
best
Priyankoo
SANDIP DUTTA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: There is no problem with
"assimilation" for students or citizens from Assam. This advisory should be
better worded and directed at our bros from Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur who
stay apart not just in Delhi but in other parts of India too.
Rgds,
Sandip
----- Original Message ----
From: Malabika Brahma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: xourov pathok <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; [email protected]
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 7:33:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Assam] mainland vs northeast in delhi
I wonder if similar "circular" was issued to Indians in the US ( regarding
the spices we use), how would the Indians react ?
xourov pathok <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
having been in delhi for sometime as a student, i see
it is getting worse.
x
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070712/asp/frontpage/story_8048182.asp
Right intentions, wrong message
- Delhi police accused of dividing India into
mainland & Northeast
NISHIT DHOLABHAI
New Delhi, July 11: Delhi polices advisory to youths
from the Northeast studying in the capital is being
seen by most as segregating the region from the
so-called mainland.
The minister for development of the northeastern
region (DoNER), Mani Shankar Aiyar, had only recently
discouraged the use of this syntax. There is no
mainland, you are the mainland, he had told a
reporter in Shillong.
Aiyar was unavailable for comment on the booklet
released by Delhi police, but those who responded
seemed to cringe at the thought of someone advising
students from the region to change their food habits,
customs and manner of dressing to assimilate into the
mainstream.
Dipankar Gupta, professor of sociology at Jawaharlal
Nehru University, said the polices advice not to
create a ruckus in the neighbourhood by cooking
smelly dishes and dress decently was gratuitous, to
say the least.
The police come up with these advisories, but there
is no implementation. There should be a departmental
memo of some sort that if a person from the Northeast
is harmed, punishment will be stringent, Gupta said.
Moses Kharbithi, who is doing his MPhil at JNU, said
the advisory was tantamount to undermining the ability
of Northeast students in New Delhi to assimilate. I
wonder if they have given such booklets to students
from the South, he said.
Kharbithi said the fact that the booklet was
well-intentioned could not mask the sense of
discrimination.
Asom Gana Parishad MP Arun Kumar Sarma and his
Congress colleague Kirip Chaliha said there was no
denying the need to spruce up security for students
from the region in view of some incidents in the
recent past. But commenting on food habits and
clothing was unfair, the duo said.
How can one tell somebody what to eat and how to
dress? Sarma asked.
Chaliha said he would take up the issue with the authorities.
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