*** Eh, baator kosu tikaat kiyo enei ghonhi lolaahe' :-)?
Guilty as charged!
I don't know why I suddenly acquired that sensitive hide - oh! I know why - it must have been something to do with the baying of hounds, and then your mail. I just put 2 and 2 together and came up with 5.
Instinctly I knew you were not meaning me - but I did want to put up a defence for the downtrowden (those not in organizations).
I still do not agree with your assessment. It is the primary responsibility of any Assamese organization to welcome all Assamese- specially those with divergent views. In order to do this, they must be all inclusive and open to fresh ideas. It is time to ring out the old and ring in the new.
It is no use blaming those outside the beltway for the failures/negligence of organizations in these matters. If an Assamese organization cannot be a beacon to all Assamese living here and elsewhere - it has failed in its primary mission of its existence. Instead we have a large group (according to you) which is running fast as they can away from orgs. Why? Have the org. leaders scared the living daylights out of this group?
It is for this reason alone that there has to be only 1 organization, so that we can all identify with it. Having a convention/conference "under one roof" is a step - but as long as each organization holds those breakout sessions and meetings for its members - we are still divided, and to me all this smacks of a farce - whom are we fooling, other then ourselves.
Regards
Ram
From: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "R. Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Satyen Das" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Chan Mahanta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Assam] Re: Assamese Associations
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 14:28:23 -0500
Hi Ram:
>> Oh, I DO realize, that a number of people do hide under the cover of the
>> very last faction above, flaunting an air of superiority, but really have
>> nothing to offer, would NOT offer anything constructive if they HAD
>> something, and are, by nature incapable of rendering anything beyond lip
>> service.
>
>I do not agree with you here. There is no "air of superiority" here. Each of
>us do want to belong to a strong organization and thereby also do some good
>for the community. You are right, its only out of sheer disgust that there
>are people who don't want to go near any of these.
>Now, do these "barking hounds from the fringe" offer only lip service, and
>not offer anything constructive to these organizations - I beg to differ
>with you here. The contributions may not be much - but they do offer them.
*** Eh, baator kosu tikaat kiyo enei ghonhi lolaahe' :-)?
Why did you assume I was talking about you :-)? The reference had nothing to do
with the Sarangapanis here Ram. We all know your involvement on various issues.
If you read my paragraph carefully, I talked about a segment of the large third group above. Unfortunately there ARE some people who could be well described by my characterization that you chose to smear yourself with :-). There are people who never participate anyway, but would cite the various ills we ARE, unfortunately, afflicted with, as the alibi.
Therefore your detailed explanation, not required to begin with, still does
not rebut my charge levelled on that uninvolved minority. Of course it is
their right to be so. I am not going to infringe on their rights to their
attitudes. But I felt it had to be addressed, if for no other reason than
my abiding commitments to upholding the principles of equal opportunity :-).
Take care.
c-da
At 11:52 AM -0500 8/24/03, R. Sarangapani wrote:
>Satyen da's mail has now doubly assured me that AFNA & AANA have strong
>ties, inspite of Krishanu's statements (and perhaps feelings) that there
>exists no such bond. I guess Krishanu would have to enlighten us on whether
>this is the Official AFNA position.
>
>No, it doesn't really matter if they are stuck together at the hip. As I had
>reiterated before - if AFNA is doing something good for the community - it
>doesn't matter an iota what its background was/is.
>
>> Oh, I DO realize, that a number of people do hide under the cover of the
>> very last faction above, flaunting an air of superiority, but really have
>> nothing to offer, would NOT offer anything constructive if they HAD
>> something, and are, by nature incapable of rendering anything beyond lip
>> service.
>
>I do not agree with you here. There is no "air of superiority" here. Each of
>us do want to belong to a strong organization and thereby also do some good
>for the community. You are right, its only out of sheer disgust that there
>are people who don't want to go near any of these.
>Now, do these "barking hounds from the fringe" offer only lip service, and
>not offer anything constructive to these organizations - I beg to differ
>with you here. The contributions may not be much - but they do offer them.
>
>I would venture that the problems lies with the leadership in some of these
>organzations. I am listing some of these here. One can throw these away and
>pretend that they don't exist or maybe try to recitify them.
>
>1. There exists a big clannish mentality.
>2. In every issue (big or small) its always us versus them. (That means
>anyone not belonging to the org.)
>3. When one does become a member - you have to be the "Yes man" else you
>are a pariah.
>4. The "inclusiveness" that some of these orgs. talk about is mostly a
>charade.
>5. If there exists "an air of superiority", organizations need to look
>inward, and they will find it real fast. Why else do you think, there are
>still people in these organizations who make comments like "barking from the
>outside". Thats a load of PR for any decent organization trying to increase
>membership or soliciting contributions.
>
>Finally, Krishanu's very open and welcoming mail is the only silver lining I
>see. Most members of the leadership is oblivious and have a "damn-care"
>attitude, even when it comes to public organizations. It is these people
>that need to get off that high horse and come down to earth.
>
>I would suggest, that all pretentions be thrown out. If an org. wants to
>attract people - they would appeal to the general common thread amongst the
>Kharkhowas instead of appealing to the select few.
>
>This is for Chandan da:
>Some of us that give "lip service": have also contributed - we as a family
>have done so (both financially and with elbow grease - the "Houston
>Convention" in 1999), and also Bihu, Shankardev Tithi etc. These
>contributions were by no means meager. Modesty forbids me to expand
>further - but since you asked. We were not the only ones though - there were
>others in Houston with similar or better contributions.
>
>Bottom line C'da - my joining any org. comes with a high cost - I will make
>whatever contributions possible (not just lip service), but sure as heck
>also make sure that the leadership is brought to task when required. Maybe
>its better for these orgs. that people like me don't become members - I can
>understand that.
>
>With regards,
>
>Ram
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Chan Mahanta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "Satyen Das" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "R. Sarangapani"
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2003 8:49 AM
>Subject: Re: [Assam] Re: Assamese Associations
>
>
>> I know that Satyen's account and impressions about AFNA's association with
>> AANA etc. are accurate.
>>
>>
>> But let us examine that for a moment:
>>
>>
>> *** One might ask: So what? What is so terrible about that?
>>
>> To be fair, I see absolutely NOTHING bad or sinister about the
>> relationship. It was NOT a hidden and/or surreptitious relationship for
>> anyone who is familiar with the US -Oxomiya community affairs.
>>
>>
>> Probably 99%, if not 100% of AFNA members are also AANA members.
>>
>>
>> *** This is where the problem arises. There IS a schism, a rift, in the
>> Oxomia community: There is the AANA/ASNA/AFNA group. There is the ASA/IFAA
>> alliance. There is the small UAONA aligned group--of at most ten families,
>> who also, by and large,out of its commitments to heal the rifts in the
>> community maintain membership with both the AANA and ASA factions and try
>> to keep the channels of communication open, even though with only spotty
>> success :-). And finally there is a very large number of people who are
>> SICK and TIRED of all these factions and cliques, and thus have washed
>> their hands and would not go near any of them.
>>
>> Oh, I DO realize, that a number of people do hide under the cover of the
>> very last faction above, flaunting an air of superiority, but really have
>> nothing to offer, would NOT offer anything constructive if they HAD
>> something, and are, by nature incapable of rendering anything beyond lip
>> service.
>>
>> But that is how we humans are. We kharkhowas are not unique. All
>> communities are like that.
>>
>>
>> *** So where IS the problem, one might ask?
>>
>> As long as AFNA is tied in or even appears to be tied in with the AANA
>> social club, and its inherent poitics, then AFNA cannot become a bigger,
>> common platform for the community. It just won't happen.
>>
>> It is a no brainer to see that we as a community, will be far better off
>if
>> we could POOL our talents ( it IS a very significant one, really), our
>> resources, however meager, to do good for ourselves, and even for
>Assam--as
>> we never forget to claim.
>>
>> This can be accomplished far better with a STRONGER organization. An
>> organization that a large number of people can be a part of--without the
>> pissing-contests they indulge in now along the social club alignments.
>>
>>
>> *** UAONA, a non-profit, charitable entity, started out with PRETENSIONS
>to
>> that end. But it became clear very promptly, that it won't happen. THere
>> are several reasons for it, but it is not important to get into that now.
>>
>> However, a POTENTIAL exists for AFNA to provide that platform, the common
>> ground that so many of us,cutting across the factions, have strived for.
>>
>> Why I say that is that it is a charitable entity, and it has the support
>of
>> the second largest faction - the AANA led one ( the largest one being the
>> non-aligned one), and IF it can free itself of the baggages of the AANA
>> social club, it CAN be so.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *** THe current President of AFNA, Krishanu Kaushik, and at least one
>Board
>> member, Debojit Bora, have publicly pronounced their commitments to free
>> AFNA of its AANA social-club ties, with the aim of making it a charitable
>> entity for ALL those who long for a stronger community insitution.
>>
>> *I* support that effort. And I am willing to give them my assistance to
>> that end. I realize that others, steeped in the AANA social-club
>mentality,
>> have in the past and even today continue to proclaim that AFNA is an
>> independent entity and is not beholden to AANA. But that claim does not
>> hold any water. Only last week one of AFNA's founding Board Members
>> declared that: "THE ASSAM
>> CONVETION IS IN THE IRS RECORDS, AND AFNA CONSTITUTION."
>>
>> (For those who are unfamiliar with the implication of the statement, The
>> Assam Convention is the proprietary name of the AANA annual convention,
>> and it becomes significant because SOME in AANA in the past invoked that
>as
>> a reason not to hold JOINT conventions, and even as I write, some are
>> attempting to revert back to Assam Conventions again.)
>>
>> I also invite others to join me in giving this attempt on Krishanu's and
>> Debojit's a chance.
>>
>>
>>
>> *** The bottom line:
>>
>> It is imperative for us to go further than holding on to our
>> confrontational stances for ever, if we hope to effect any positive
>change.
>>
>> WE MUST GIVE THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE A FEW RISKS TO CHANGE THINGS
>FOR
>> THE BETTER.
>>
>> I don't know that Krishanu or Debojit can be any different from others in
>> the past. But I am going to give them a chance to PROVE themselves, even
>> though I make no secret of the fact that I am going to hold their feet to
>> the fire. My support is CONDITIONAL. Only yesterday I informed Krishanu
>> that I HAVE TO KNOW what the meaning of "THE ASSAM CONVETION IS IN THE IRS
>> RECORDS, AND AFNA CONSTITUTION." is, for example.
>>
>> He is attempting to get that clarified by his Board, and has promised to
>> make it public.
>>
>>
>> cm
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> At 11:09 PM -0400 8/23/03, Satyen Das wrote:
>> >As far as I remember, Ram's impression of AANA-AFNA relationship is
>correct.
>> >
>> >During 1980, when we all went to Washington DC to demonstrate, everybody
>in
>> >AANA felt that since
>> >AANA and ASA were involved in the demonstration, it was necessary to form
>a
>> >separate wing of AANA
>> >which would be tax exempt and as such could send money to Assam without
>any
>> >problem and
>> >being tax exempt, it would be an incentive to donors to contribute. And
>as
>> >such AFNA was
>> >born in 1982.
>> >
>> >Even today we always see AANA, AFNA and ASSNA logo on their common
>> >newsletter
>> >and AFNA has always held their general body meetings in AANA conventions
>> >(till 1998) and
>> >with AANA and ASA conferences (since 1999). Even the recent news item
>sent
>> >by AANA to
>> >Sentinel was in the official letterhead of AANA with AFNA's logo in it.
>> >Only this year, AFNA President declared that AFNA was never a part of
>AANA!
>> >I am not sure that was a declaration from AFNA board of directors or AFNA
>> >executive body
>> >or just AFNA President!
>> >
>> >Even AFNA's financial Report of 2001-2002 with lots of transactions
>> >(thousands of dollars) between
>> >AFNA, ASSNA and Y2K convention (of AANA and ASA) was published in AANA
>> >newsletter, Issue 87.
>> >
>> >I even heard that in one of the AANA conventions it was decided that all
>the
>> >financial obligations
>> >of AANA (membership money) etc. would be handled by AFNA!
>> >
>> >As long as I see AFNA's logo in AANA newsletter and AFNA's financial
>> >statement etc. with AANA's
>> >newsletter, it would be very hard for me to believe that AFNA was never
>> >associated with AANA.
>> >************
>> >
>> >P.S.: By the way ASA's upcoming 31st anniversary of Assam Day is correct.
>> >Again, as far as I know ASA existed since early 1970s in New York/New
>Jersey
>> >area - only they
>> >were known as "Assam Sangha".
>> >Mere changing of name does not make one lose one's identity and age.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >----- Original Message -----
>> >From: "R. Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> >Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 4:37 PM
>> >Subject: [Assam] Re: Assamese Associations
>> >
>> >
>> >>
>> >> Dear Krishanu:
>> >>
>> >> Let me first applaud you on the yeoman service you are providing the
>> >> Assamese community thru AFNA. Further, its rather commendable that you
>> >are:
>> >>
>> >> >>Since I got the leadership role I am trying to make it clear to
>> >everybody
>> >> >>that AFNA is a non-aligned / non-affiliated >assamese organisation in
>> >the
>> >> US
>> >> >>focussed on doing charity work in Assam.
>> >>
>> >> However, I have always had the impression that AFNA was the cultural
>wing
>> >of
>> >> AANA. Further, if I am not mistaken, I have often heard AANA members
>> >> indicate it as such. If what I have heard is TRUE, you as President of
>> >AFNA,
>> >> must take all necessary steps to remove any doubts from the doubting
>> >> Thomases like me.
>> >>
>> >> Wasn't AFNA created by AANA? If so, when did it cut the umblical cord?
>Of
>> >> course, I am just asking questions, and I may be totally wrong in my
>> >> assumptions.
>> >>
>> >> Nevertheless, it is indeed gratifying to see young men like you to take
>it
>> >> upon yourself great work you are doing. And whether AFNA has any
>> >> affiliations to AANA or not is not important here. What is important is
>> >that
>> >> AFNA is doing a lot of charity work.
>> >>
>> >> BTW: It is saddening to note that stalwarts like Chandan da would give
>up
>> >so
>> >> easily on some kind unification of the Kharkhowas.
>> >>
>> >> With Regards,
>> >>
>> >> Ram Sarangapani
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > From: "Kaushik, Krishanu (.)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> >> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> >> > Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
>> >> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
>> >> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
>> >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> >> > Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:38 PM
>> >> > Subject: Assamese Associations
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > > Dear Vavani,
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Recently I saw your posting on the topic - "From Sentinel - AANA
>> >silver
>> >> > jubilee / UNITY IN DIVERSITY" - in assam net (www.assam.org). I am
>not a
>> >> > subscriber although I check the archives once in a while. I faced the
>> >same
>> >> > dilemna like you when I came to this country in 1995. I started
>working
>> >> with
>> >> > IFAA and AFNA because they were the only two Charity organizations.
>Till
>> >> > date I'm not a member of ASA, AANA or UOANA. I lost contact with IFAA
>> >> after
>> >> > Joken Kalita and Khanin Pathak went back to India.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > There is no leadership issues with AFNA because nobody wants to
>take
>> >its
>> >> > leadership. I was made the president last year although I was not
>very
>> >> keen
>> >> > to work from the limelight. Since I got the leadership role I am
>trying
>> >to
>> >> > make it clear to everybody that AFNA is a non-aligned /
>non-affiliated
>> >> > assamese organisation in the US focussed on doing charity work in
>Assam.
>> >> > Everyone, from all sections of the society (ASA/AANA/UOANA/JONAKI
>etc.)
>> >> are
>> >> > welcome to join and /or work with AFNA. It is truly a non-partisan
>> >> > charitable entity for the entire community to close ranks on. One
>thing
>> >> I've
>> >> > learnt is that any efforts to unite the organisations are deemed to
>be
>> >> > futile. You can take my word for it! Don't ask me why? Because I
>don't
>> >> know
>> >> > the answer. Instead of wasting our time and energy chasing our own
>tails
>> >> > let's concentrate on doing something for Assam.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > We have plenty of good opportunities, to provide financial
>assistance,
>> >> in
>> >> > Assam. These are projects and relief efforts handled by reliable and
>> >> > trustworthy people. Some examples are:
>> >> > >
>> >> > > 1. Rural Volunteers Center - RVC (an NGO working for relief of
>Flood
>> >> > affected people and for long term flood preparedness in Dhemaji)
>> >> > > 2. North-East Affected Area Development Society - NEADS (same as #
>1
>> >in
>> >> > Jorhat and Golaghat, including Majuli)
>> >> > > 3. The "Aarohan" project by Dr. BN Saikia Children's Welfare
>Trust -
>> >we
>> >> > can have a long term relationship with that project and make it a
>> >success.
>> >> > > 4. Journalist Fellowship Program administered ny C-NES - Centre for
>> >> North
>> >> > East Studies and Policy Research (Instituted by journalists like
>Sanjoy
>> >> > Hazarika)
>> >> > > 5. The "Save Kaziranga" project
>> >> > >
>> >> > > In addition to the above we also have some projects listed in our
>> >> website
>> >> > www.geocities.com/assamfoundation and some which are not.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > All we need from the community is an willingness to help these
>> >projects
>> >> > and considerable financial contributions - by way of memberships, by
>way
>> >> of
>> >> > donations to a particular project or the general fund. Money from the
>> >> > general fund is used for day-to-day operations (Minimum. The only big
>> >> amount
>> >> > is the $500 registration fees for annual meeting) and to contribute
>> >> towards
>> >> > deserving fundraising efforts. e;g we'll be adding $ 500 from the
>> >general
>> >> > fund to the $2000 plus that we have already collected for the Aarohan
>> >> > project. (The computer you'll donate will be in addition to that.)
>There
>> >> is
>> >> > a $ 25 annual membership fees, which goes to the general fund. You
>may
>> >> > send the membership fees to AFNA @ 44963 Lemont Road, Canton, MI
>48187.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > We need volunteers to raise funds for these projects and increase
>the
>> >> > awareness among the assamese community.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > My humble request to all the recepients of this email - please
>become
>> >a
>> >> > member and take an active part in helping those who need our help
>back
>> >> home.
>> >> > Please pass on the word to all your friends and aquaintances.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Regards,
>> >> > > Krishanu Kaushik
>> >> > >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> Assam mailing list
>> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> >> http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
>> >
>> >_______________________________________________
>> >Assam mailing list
>> >[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
>>
>>
>>
>>
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