>I totally agree with you here. So, is that it? - do we just give up the >ghost, or do we effect a change in the thinking.
*** I don't know Ram. It is not something I am given to admitting :-). Nor am I one to have given up without a try. I jusyt don't know what or how to help contribute towards changing things for the better. c-da At 5:17 PM -0500 8/24/03, Ram Sarangapani wrote: >>*** I beg to differ here Ram. I don't think it is anybody's responsibility >>to woo me to go join their camp. It is the choice of individuals. Remember >>it is a free country :-)? > >I absolutely agree that no one has to woo (or entice) anyone to join any >org. But what kind of moral authority do these orgs. claim when they profess >profusely that they represent the interests of the diaspora. If its an >exclusive club - shouldn't they come out and say so, instead of playing >charades. > > >>*** Have to be is a very deterministic word. I have a healthy fear of HAVE >>to BE's. AS I explained earlier, more than one org. should not be an >>automatic disqualification. We are so very spread out. Why should the >>California community for example HAVE to kow tow to the Houston communities >>preferences, in conformity to a single org's rules and mores? > >Again I beg to disagree. >There are numerous examples of nationwide/international orgs - that have >been very successful in their functioning. How do they succeed - simply by >having local "chapters". >There may be problems even in these - mainly logistics. There is no >question of kow towing here, if we can come up with a few common goals and >aspirations. Further, these local chapters can also have some degree of >autonomy, and thus preserve their geographical uniqueness. > >>But what is unconscionable is our inability to work together, whether as >>groups or as individuals. > >I totally agree with you here. So, is that it? - do we just give up the >ghost, or do we effect a change in the thinking. > >Regards > >Ram > > > > > > >>From: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>To: "Ram Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], >>[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>Subject: Re: [Assam] Re: Assamese Associations >>Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 16:32:53 -0500 >> >>At 3:45 PM -0500 8/24/03, Ram Sarangapani wrote: >> >Hi Chandan da: >> > >> >>*** 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. >> >> >> >>Hi Ram: >> >>Even the baying hounds might not have been from your corner of the cage >>:-). We have to give people a benefit of the doubt. But like I pointed out, >>the barking is caused by the insider top-dogs, usually. The canine >>instincts to reciprocate are imprinted at birth. But the top-dogs tend to >>forget that. >> >> >> >> >Instinctly I knew you were not meaning me - but I did want to put up a >> >defence for the downtrowden (those not in organizations). >> >> >>*** You are welcome to join in, but I did that already :-). >> >> >> >> >> >> >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. >> >> >>*** I beg to differ here Ram. I don't think it is anybody's responsibility >>to woo me to go join their camp. It is the choice of individuals. Remember >>it is a free country :-)? >> >> >>But once in, it is of critical importance to not wield majoritarian >>tyranny, as expressed by majority voting, because the moment we indulge in >>that we run the risk of alienationg a large percentage of the polity. >>Imagine one out of five being sidelined translates into a huge 20%. >> >>So it is important to ATTEMPT to accomodate with some mutual give and take. >>I know it is not necessarily the easiest thing to do. But whoever said it >>is easy to run an ethnic org.? >> >> >> >> >> >> >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? >> >> >>*** I don't think the barking reference was to score the point you refer >>to. It was a putdown to the so called OUTSIDERS who are thorns in the side >>of the private clubs' peaceful status-quo , smug in their homogeneity. >> >> >>Yes I stand by my perception that a lot won't touch us with a forty feet >>pole, because they perceive us to be senile old folks fighting over no >>reason at all. >>And it has NOTHING to do with leaders either. The followers or the silent >>majority plays exactly the same role. The leaders only give voice, play the >>lightning rod. >> >> >> >> >> >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. >> >> >>*** Have to be is a very deterministic word. I have a healthy fear of HAVE >>to BE's. AS I explained earlier, more than one org. should not be an >>automatic disqualification. We are so very spread out. Why should the >>California community for example HAVE to kow tow to the Houston communities >>preferences, in conformity to a single org's rules and mores? >> >>But what is unconscionable is our inability to work together, whether as >>groups or as individuals. >> >> >>Unfortunately the group rivalries are mere proxies for deep rooted and >>abiding individual likes and dislikes, old animosities and so forth. We >>know enough not to get into a public personal fight ( I know there are >>exceptions :-)) as something belonging to the early tacky era, as uncouth, >>but it is very convinient to invoke the org.s to proxy fight on our behalf. >> >> >>c-da >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >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 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> >_________________________________________________________________ >> >Get MSN 8 and help protect your children with advanced parental controls. >> >http://join.msn.com/?page=features/parental >> >> >> > >_________________________________________________________________ >MSN 8: Get 6 months for $9.95/month. http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup _______________________________________________ Assam mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
