It is indeed a nice article by Mayur. The crucial part of the story is that the urban young in Assam, particularly the affluent, have much less respect, affinity, affection or even association with their own roots than many of us are comfortable with. In the pop-cultural hierarchy that largely flows through television and Hindi movies, Assamese (and other indigenous) language and culture comes a very distant and low third. It is not just language, in matters of taste for food, dress, dance forms, marriage ceremonies and every other imaginable cultural attribute, these kids imitate and revere the forms seen on TV and Bollywood, often viewing the indigenous with a mix of condescension and disdain as being an imposition on them from an older generation that have lost touch with current reality. Objects of cultural invasion become willingly accepted and morally justified through the language of intergenerational contradiction. What remains unspoken is the class distinction between them and those of more humble backgrounds who do not have the means to be so much like the folks on screens. And thus, a new generation of Indian sahibs and wannabe sahibs emerge from our soil. They not only adopt the form (like many of us may have done), but in fact give their hearts to screen-India. But is it right for us to stem the tide? Do we not know how much dividends accrue to speaking perfect television Hindi and Hinglish, to dressing and eating like those in mainland metroplexes - do we not see how these attributes will advance their careers and bring them success? And if this is the incentive structure, why would the young not behave this way and why should their parents not encourage it? Perhaps, the indigenous will have to wait for another generation to revolt against these kids when they grow up - in the clarity and purity of their young minds, the yet unborn children will perhaps seek out their distinct identity before they are assimilated by the giant machine - much like the children of Indian diaspora sometimes do.
Santanu. ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dilip Deka [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 10:46 PM To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world Subject: Re: [Assam] An article by M Bora (Amar Asom,09.09.2010) Well written article. I agree with Mayur Bora that it is desirable and possible to learn both Assamese and English as a young person in Assam. We did and we haven't suffered a bit living overseas for the last forty years. I also learned Bengalee, Hindi, some French, some Spanish and now some Portuguese as the need arose. Though I cannot write Assamese as well any more as Mayur, I take solace in the fact that I can still speak fluent Assamese. Keep up the good work, Mayur. Keep encouraging the young generation in Assam. Dilip Deka, Houston, TX, USA ________________________________ From: Buljit Buragohain <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, September 8, 2010 10:24:23 PM Subject: [Assam] An article by M Bora (Amar Asom,09.09.2010) An article by M Bora (Amar Asom,09.09.2010) http://amarasom.glpublications.in/Details.aspx?id=1998&boxid=101150843 _______________________________________________ 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
