C'da, > Once again I find myself surrounded by angry Indians :-).
Heh! heh! heh! These darn Injuns. At least we don't have too many angry chiefs :-) I will await your response. --Ram On Tue, 1 Mar 2005 08:45:11 -0600, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Ram: > > I will be sure to respond, but it may be a few days before I can. I > have one more response to make to what Dilip threw at me. > > Once again I find myself surrounded by angry Indians :-). > > c-da > > > At 10:52 PM -0600 2/28/05, Ram Sarangapani wrote: > >C'da, > > > >Sorry for the delay in replying. > > > >> *** To "---an extent" Ram ? > >> What does that mean? That it maybe something nice to have. > >>> Why I ask is about what ever happened to civil conflict resolution > >> >> mechanisms? What are the ways to exact > >>accountability from elected > >> >> bodies? Or have we given them a pass too :-)? > > > >I agreed with you to a certain extent -let me try and explain: > > > >The Indian democracy is still in its infancy (Brintain has had it for > >a long time, and US - if considered a democracy, for over 400 years). > >India has had it for 50+ years. > >There have been growing pains. And development has been lopsided for > >the first so many decades. > >But look at India now - it is emerging as a fast growing, > >on-the-way-to development, and with core democratic values still > >intact. > >The voters have a number of times voted out undesirable politcians. > >Politcians hold office ONLY if they are voted into power, etc. > > > >Yes, civil conflict resolution mechanisms are still being built. > >People and media do raise their voices when something goes awry, and > >public opinion does get formed, and things do happen for the good. > > > >Its a large country with numerous problems, but worldwide prognosis if > >you care to listen, all say that it will be one of the big economic > >hubs in x numer of years, and that too a democratic one. > >The bottomline is, India at its very core is democratic with all the > >essential legal, constitutional, and political safeguards. Yes, some > >of these are being flounted as we speak, but India realizes that, and > >they are working slowly but surely to make things better. > > > >>Democracy without its essential institutions is NOT. > > > >As you well know, democracy is a painful process - look at Russia, but > >you are wrong that the essential institutions DO NOT exist in India. > >The institutions DO exist, but do not function at 100% all the time. > >If not, how would you account for a powerful sitting PM (Indira > >Gandhi) loose her gaddi. > >In India, things may work slowly for many people's taste, but in the > >end, they do. > > > >> How about reforming Indian democracy and making its institutions > >> functional? Does that hurt too much to talk about > > > >No, I don't have a problem in this area, and no it doesn't hurt > >(ouch!). Of course, it is an essential function of any citizen to > >work toward that end - to improve functionality, to speed up justice, > >eliminate corruption at all levels etc, and lord knows, India does > >need help in that area. > >Responsibility of the voter DOES NOT end after electing someone to > >office. That is just the begining. It is the responsibility of the > >voter to make sure that those they elected to office behave. If voters > >do not participate, politcians will more than likely take advantage - > >whether its in India or the US. > > > >Can there be a better alternative? > > > >Of course there are alternatives - but NOT good ones for India (or > >Assam for that matter). > >What is your suggestion? Break-up the country?, Give Assam sovereignity? > >Then how would you guarantee fully functioning democratic institutions > >that you so aspire for Assam/India will ALSO exist in a separated > >Assam or a broken-up India? > > > >> Why do people have to take time off from making a living, > >>building a nation > >> learning and teaching, have to go form your NGOs and what have > >>you? Isn't > >> that a convoluted way to do things. What is so sacred about what does > > > not work that you must hold on to, as if there is no better way? > > > >I think democracy is the best way. If people think its not working, > >they would need to participate and make things better - and not throw > >the baby with the bathwater. > >NGOs are not novel ideas that I came up with. These have worked in > >almost all countries (including the US) - so it boggles the mind when > >you say they are convoluted ideas. > > > >> Why do people have to take time off from making a living, > >>building a nation > >> learning and teaching > > > >The US is a very good example. Slavery was eliminated BECAUSE people > >participated. Women's sufferage, consumer protection laws, etc, etc > >all happened because people participated, and wanted to BUILD a > >nation. That is why, C'da. > > > >Now, I have answered all your questions to the best of my abilities, > >but here is one for you, I hope you will provide us with some answers, > >in simple terms :-). > > > >Practically speaking, India will (or cannot) give away Assam because > >some people want it. It is politically, economically, (or threat from > >external forces) an impossibility for India to do so. The only way, > >maybe is for a third country to take Assam by force from India. What > >are the chances in that? > > > >Now, given that situation, what is your prescription for Assam? > >(a) continue with the insurgency to get Assam free of India's shackles. > >(b) work with the Delhiwallas to get what Assam well deserves > >(c) do nothing, let providence dictate > > > >I am just listing a few here, you could ofcourse come-up with something else. > >However, if you STILL think that Assam will be a free nation in the > >near future, please show us how that will be accomplished? > > > >Let us be practical here and set passions aside. > > > >You know what, C'da, I am going to keep a very open mind about this. > >If you or anyone else can really convince me, I will join you in your > >crusade (without a peep :-) > > > >the best, > >---Ram > > > > > > > > > > > >On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 14:41:04 -0600, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> >I will agree with to some extent here. > >> > >> *** To "---an extent" Ram ? > >> > >> What does that mean? That it maybe something nice to have. But since > >> GoI is incapable of doing anything to establish these institutions in > >> the country, let us not pay too much emphasis on it ? > >> > >> Democracy without its essential institutions is NOT. > >> > >> Why are you so afraid to acknowledge that ? > >> > >> > >> > >So, now its time to adopt new and > >> >more potent tactics. > >> > >> How about reforming Indian democracy and making its institutions > >> functional? > >> Does that hurt too much to talk about? Can there be a better > >>alternative? > >> Why do people have to take time off from making a living, > >>building a nation > >> learning and teaching, have to go form your NGOs and what have > >>you? Isn't > >> that a convoluted way to do things. What is so sacred about what does > >> not work that you must hold on to, as if there is no better way? > >> > >> *** I can't believe how you guys have painted yourselves into a > >> corner, rendering yourselves incapable of acknowledging the most > >> fundamental of democratic governance. > >> > >> If an uninterested third party is watching these exchanges probably > >> are wondering how unreal we are. > >> > >> c-da :-) > >> > >> > >> At 2:08 PM -0600 2/28/05, Ram Sarangapani wrote: > >> >C'da, > >> >> ** Are you suggesting that it is time for one more AGITATION ? > >> >> More bandhs perhaps :-)? > >> > > >> >*****And my suggestion was (previous post) ---- > >> > > >> >> >And how can they do this without resorting to bandhs, agitations or > >> >> >insurgencies etc? They can form public awareness groups, which should > >> >> >comprise of the cross-section of the people. Such groups can actually > >> >> >weild political power and make sure that whatever the GOA does is in > >> >> >the best interest of Assam, and make sure that GOA representatives in > >> >> >Delhi also do likewise. > >> >**** > >> > > >> >> Why I ask is about what ever happened to civil > >>conflict resolution > >> >> mechanisms? What are the ways to exact > >>accountability from elected > >> >> bodies? Or have we given them a pass too :-)? > > > >> > >> > > >> >I will agree with to some extent here. > >> > > >> >However, the people of Assam, more than any other state, have shown > >> >their tenacity to object when required by mass demonstrations, > >> >strikes, bandhs etc. etc. > >> >Imagine to get get mass support in a place like Rajasthan or Kerala > > > >for a good cause. The masses in Assam have always given full support > >> >to leaders, inspite of the fact these leaders have let them down a > >> >number of times. > >> > > >> >I have no doubt, that if these same people REALLY wanted to hold > >> >ministers or bureaucrats accountable, they could also come together > >> >enmasse and get things righted. > >> > > >> >Of course, I do not suggest they become insurgents, or have a bandh at > >> >the drop of a hat, but to form citizen groups, whose only interests > >> >are the interests of Assam. And make sure ministers are not reelected > >> >after a bad performance. > >> > > >> >Strong PACs if you will, will yield results. Today, in many parts of > >> >India (even in Assam), various groups have formed - ie civil > >> >liberties, humanitarian, SPCA types. These groups have had effects on > >> >public policy, especially with the help of the media. > >> > > >> >Bandhs, insurgencies, strikes, etc have been tried for 25 + years. > >> >They have not worked, have they? So, now its time to adopt new and > >> >more potent tactics. > >> > > >> >--Ram > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> >On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 13:34:26 -0600, Chan Mahanta > >><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> >> Ram: > >> >> > >> >> >A good point, but seriously flawed, nevetheless. > >> >> > > >> >> >The people (mostly rural) of Assam/NE have launched 3 or 4 major > >> >> >agitations that has caught worldwide attention. > >> >> > >> >> *** OK, let us look into this. > >> >> > >> >> I don't know which are the three or four major agitations you refer > >> >> to, but I will go along with you on that in order not to digress: > >> >> > >> >> ** Are you suggesting that it is time for one more AGITATION ? > >> >> More bandhs perhaps :-)? > >> >> Why I ask is about what ever happened to civil > >>conflict resolution > >> > > mechanisms? What are the ways to exact accountability > >> >from elected > >> >> bodies? Or have we given them a pass too :-)? > >> >> > >> >> ** What led to those agitations? > >> >> > >> >> ** And what exactly did the people of Assam get from what they > >> >> achieved as a result of those 4 or 5 agitations? > >> >> > >> >> Can those be acceptable standard of results ? > >> >> > >> >> c-da > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> At 12:22 PM -0600 2/27/05, Ram Sarangapani wrote: > >> >> >C'da, > >> >> > > >> >> >> 2: The other crucial mistake you keep making :-), is equating > >> Assam > >> >> >> Govts. to the people of Assam. Just because they go vote means > >> >> >> little. An uninformed or misinformed or manipulated polity cannot > >> >> >> make an effective democracy. > >> > > > > >> >> >A good point, but seriously flawed, nevetheless. > >> >> > > >> >> >The people (mostly rural) of Assam/NE have launched 3 or 4 major > >> >> >agitations that has caught worldwide attention. > >> >> > > >> >> >Do you mean to tell us that this polity is uninformed, and impotent? > >> >> >How could such a polity (as you described) be capable of such > >> >> >large-scale movements? > >> >> > > >> >> >When the people of Assam are given good leadership, they can and have > >> >> >made their voices clear, and, the powers that be, have yielded. > >> >> > > >> >> >But, what Barua points out, is that, EVEN though the people have > >> >> >proven time & again that they have the POWER and CAPACITY to launch > >> >> >these major agitations, they have somehow given a pass to the GOA or > >> >> >GOI. > >> >> > > >> >> >Basically, just ignored what the GOA/GOI is doing or not doing. They > >> >> >seem to have this sense of sheer apathy, totally uninterested in > >> >> >things that are paramount for the development of Assam. > >> >> > > >> >> >So, whats the solution here? I think (correct me if I am wrong, > >> >> >Barua), what Barua is hinting at is that people hold some serious > >> >> >accountability from the GOI/GOA. > >> >> > > >> >> >Like in the case why the GOA returns money unspent (for > >> >> >infrastructure) every year to the Center? > > > >> >The GOA may, in all fairness, have some excuse, but what are they? > >> >> >Why are the people NOT asking? whats wrong? > >> >> > > >> >> >If these same people are NOT willing to question the GOA, then why do > >> >> >they complain about the Center ignoring Assam? > > > >> >I can picture the Delhi wallahs thinking - 'They wanted extra > > funds, > >> >> >so we allocated, and they keep returning the money back'. Maybe its > >> >> >better to allocate the money to some sate like UP? > >> >> > > >> >> >And how can they do this without resorting to bandhs, agitations or > >> >> >insurgencies etc? They can form public awareness groups, which should > >> >> >comprise of the cross-section of the people. Such groups can actually > >> >> >weild political power and make sure that whatever the GOA does is in > >> >> >the best interest of Assam, and make sure that GOA representatives in > >> >> >Delhi also do likewise. > >> >> > > >> >> >--Ram > >> >> > > >> >> >On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 10:16:33 -0600, Chan Mahanta > >> >><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> >> >> You make a very good point Rajen. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> The only problems I see in your argument are: > >> >> >> > >> >> >> 1: The fact of Assam Govts. past and present 'working within the > >> >> >> system' that you good folks so ardently support preserving :-), > >> >> >> disabling them from demanding international price for its crude. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> For if they challenge the system that create them and sustain > >> them, > >> >> >> they cannot exist. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> 2: The other crucial mistake you keep making :-), is equating > >> Assam > >> >> >> Govts. to the people of Assam. Just because they go vote means > >> >> >> little. An uninformed or misinformed or manipulated polity cannot > >> >> >> make an effective democracy. You know that well, but do not > >> consider > >> >> >> in your arguments. For if it did, the system of exacting > >> >> >> accountability would have worked, that consequences would have > >> >> > > mattered, and Indian society would not be where it is today. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> c > >> >> >> > >> >> >> PS: > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >Part of this GOI invests > >> >> >> >in Gujarat and part in Chennai, and the rest, at present > >> >>Manmohon Singh and > >> >> >> >Sonia Gandhi distributes among themselves > >> >> >> > >> >> >> *** Comments like these do not add any value to your points. Just > >> >> >> thought I would point it out :-). Those are expressions of extreme > >> > > > > frustration, that's all. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> At 12:33 AM -0600 2/27/05, Barua25 wrote: > >> >> >> >Chandan: > >> >> >> >I know you would not like my Assam Bundh economy for the > >> >> >>Bangladesh fence. I > >> >> >> >know you don't like to discuss any problems for Assam till > >> >>the day when GOI > >> >> >> >will give the key of sovereignty of Assam.. > >> >> >> >But unfortunately we donot want to wait that long, and I have > >> more > >> >> >> >economical news for you. > >> >> >> >This is another way how the Assamese can build a fence on the > >> >>border: From > >> >> >> >its oil. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >At present, Assam produces about 18 Million bbl oil per year > >> >>(my estimate). > >> >> >> >The present price of oil is about $50/bbl. So Assam earns > >>for its big > >> > > >> >brother GOI, about $900 million dollars per year. (Part of > >> >this GOI invests > >> >> >> >in Gujarat and part in Chennai, and the rest, at present > >> >>Manmohon Singh and > >> >> >> >Sonia Gandhi distributes among themselves!!!). > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >All Assam need to do is to demand that at least 10% of > >>that money (in > >> >> >> >addition to its present royalty) be kept in a separate Worl > >> >>Bank fund to > >> >> >> >build a fence on the Bangladesh border. That way, every year > >> >>Assam would > >> >> >> >have got about $90 million for the fence. This is equal to > >> >>about Rs. 400 > >> >> >> >Crores a year. If Assam does not know how to build a fence, > >> >>they can always > >> >> >> >ask the Israelis. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >Now why Assam does not do it? Don't say GOI is treating > >>Assam like a > >> >> >> >stepchild? > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >Rajen Barua > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >----- Original Message ----- > >> >> >> >From: "Chan Mahanta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > >> >> >To: "Barua25" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[email protected]> > >> >> >> >Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 10:06 AM > >> >> >> >Subject: Re: [Assam] Is Assam, the Land of Bandhs? > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> Rajen: > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >That is about 900 kilometer of fencing the Bangladesh border > >> >> >>a year if we > >> >> >> >> >estimate that 1 Km of fencing will cost 1 croes of Rs. > >> >>Looking at the > >> >> >> >map, I > >> >> >> >> >donot think the Bangladesh-Assam border is in fact that long. > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> *** You finally explained why GoI is derelict in its > >>duty to protect > >> >> >> >> the borders: Assam Bandhs. > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> You are getting too upset again my friend. Take it > >>easy. I am sure > >> >> >> >> Assm Netters understand and respect your sentiments, > >>even without > >> >> >> >> having to be presented with such arguments :-). > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> c > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> At 5:54 PM -0600 2/21/05, Barua25 wrote: > >> >> >> >> > > Bandhs cost Assam 900 cr a year > >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >That is about 900 kilometer of fencing the Bangladesh border > >> >> >>a year if we > >> >> >> >> >estimate that 1 Km of fencing will cost 1 croes of Rs. > >> >>Looking at the > >> >> >> >map, I > >> >> >> >> >donot think the Bangladesh-Assam border is in fact that long. > >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >Barua > >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >----- Original Message ----- > >> >> >> >> >From: "Ram Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >> >> >> >To: <[email protected]> > >> >> >> >> >Cc: "Barua25" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >> >> >> >Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 8:57 AM > >> >> >> >> >Subject: Re: [Assam] Is Assam, the Land of Bandhs? > >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >> Here is a Rediff.com article (2003) of how much Assam > >> >> >>loses in bandhs. > >> >> >> >> >> Read on, its interesting. Wonder what it be in today's Rs. > >> >> >> >> >> _________________________________________________ > >> >> >> > > >> Bandhs cost Assam 900 cr a year > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> Vinayak Ganapathy in Guwahati | March 26, 2003 23:03 IST > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> That Assam and other north eastern states are notorious > >> >> >>for bandhs and > >> >> >> >> >> strikes for even minor, unimportant reasons, is a > >> >>well-documented > >> >> >> >> >> fact. But no effort was made so far to quantify the > >> >>monteray losses > >> >> >> >> >> that the states suffer due to these bandhs. Now > >>thanks to the > >> >> >> >> >> Federation of Industries and Commerece of North Eastern > >> >> >>Region, there > >> >> >> >> >> is some idea of the staggering losses suffered in the > >> state. > >> > > >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> Assam loses an estimated Rs 900 crore annually because of > >> >> >>bandhs, the > >> >> > > >> >> FINER study says. The study covered bandhs in Assam from > >> >> >April 2001 > >> >> >> >> >> to March 2002. > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> There were nine statewide bandhs, 13 regional bandhs > >> (Upper > >> >> >> >> >> Assam/Lower Assam and central Assam) and 36 district > >> >>bandhs during > >> >> >> > > >> this period. > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> "A daylong bandh means a loss of Rs 41.14 crore and > >> >>poor states like > >> >> > > >> >> Assam cannot afford this luxury," FINER president, > >> >>Abhijit Baruah, > >> >> >> >> >> said. He appealed to all organisations to opt for > >>other ways of > >> >> >> >> >> registering their protest against any injustice. > >> > > >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> Citing an example of how the government incurs losses > >> >>during bandhs, > >> >> >> >> >> the report says a single bandh can cost the exchequer Rs > >> >> >>20 crore. The > >> >> >> >> >> government allocates Rs 410.95 crore towards salaries of > >> >> >>its employees > >> >> >> >> >> per month but loses crucial mandays because of bandhs. > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> The worst affected sectors are mining and quarrying, > >> >>manufacturing, > >> >> >> >> >> transport and communication, hotel, banking and public > > > >> >>administration. > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> The report also states that the younger generation, > >> >>especially those > >> >> >> >> >> born after 1979, has been deprived of celebrating > > > >>Independence and > >> >> >> >> >> Republic Day for the last 23 years due to bandhs. > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> "Apart from other factors contributing to the economic > >> >> >>backwardness of > >> >> >> >> >> the state, the frequent bandhs called by various > >> >>organisations in > >> >> >> >> >> different parts of the state during the last few years > >> >>are very much > >> >> >> >> >> responsible for the tardy growth of domestic income of > >> >>the state. > >> >> >> >> >> Assam is now a relatively poor and economically > >> >>backward state as > >> >> >> >> >> compared to other states of the country. The Economic > >> >>Survey showed > >> >> >> >> >> that in respect of per capita income in 2001, the > >> >>status of Assam is > >> >> >> >> >> 27th out of the 29 states of the country, with only > >> >>Orissa and Bihar > >> >> >> >> >> behind," Baruah said. > >> >> >> >> >> ____ > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 09:04:25 -0500, Prasenjit Chetia > >> >> >> >> >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> >> >> >> >> > When privatised the same accountant will run to > >>office even of > >> >> >> >bandhs. > >> >> >> >> >> > It is a mixture of individual attitude and GOI > >> promotion. > >> >> >> >> >> > Non-Cooperation after all was a tool through which we > >> won > >> >> >> >> >> > Independence. The success of bandhs lies in the > >> >>attitude and sense > >> >> >> >of > >> >> >> >> >> > judgement of the public. It works, no matter why; > >> >>that's why there > >> >> >> >are > >> >> >> >> > > > so many bandhs. And the layman is always short sighted. > >> >> >>Why do the > >> >> >> >> >> > learned keep quiet too ? > >> >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >> > Prasenjit > >> >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >> > On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 00:07:50 -0600, Barua25 > >> >><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >> >> >wrote: > >> >> >> >> >> > > I will tel you how some other people like the bundh: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > (A) I asked a Jorhat shop keeper how much they are > >> >>affected by > >> >> >> >these > >> >> >> >> >bundhs. > >> >> >> >> >> > > He said. Are you kidding? We like it. This is why: > >> >> >> >> >> > > Mine is a grocery shop. If I close for a day, I gain > >> the > >> >> >> >following: > >> >> >> >> >> > > No 1) I don't have to pay my 3 shop keepers > >>for that day. > >> >> >> >> >> > > No2) I get one day's 'suti'. I can work in my home. > >> >> >> >> >> > > No3) In fact I don't incur any loss in sales too. > >> >>Because, the > >> >> >> >> >customers > >> >> >> >> >> > > will buy everything they need on the next day anyway. > >> >> >>It does not > >> >> >> >> >matter if > >> >> >> >> >> > > they buy it on Monday or Tuesday to me. It does > >> >>not affect my > >> >> >> >monthly > >> >> >> >> >sales > >> >> >> >> >> > > at all. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > (B) Now listen to why big companies like Oil India > >> >> >>love it? (They > >> > > >> >> >won't say > >> >> >> >> >> > > they love it though). > >> >> >> >> >> > > One senior accountant in Oil India explained to me. > >> >> >>"Mr Barua you > >> >> >> > > >won't > >> >> >> >> >> > > believe how much the comany saves in one day's bundh?" > >> >> >> >> >> > > I asked how? > >> >> >> >> >> > > He said bundh means, companies thousnads of > >> >>contractors buses to > >> >> >> >> >worksites > >> >> >> >> >> > > are stopped which means the company does not have to > >> >> >>pay anything > >> >> >> >for > >> >> >> >> >that > >> >> > > >> >> > > day to the bus contractors. He estimated that in > >> >>10 days bundh, > >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >campany > >> >> >> >> >> > > save so many (I forgot the figure) in such > >>saving. Plus, the > >> >> >> >Medical > >> >> >> >> >is > >> >> >> >> >> > > closed which means additional savings. > >> > > >> >> >> > > I asked, what about oil production. Does not OIL > > > >loose revenue. > >> >> >> >> >> > > Oh, that is taken care of by GOI. They cannot stop > >> >>essential oil > >> >> > > >> >production. > >> >> >> >> >> > > So we get our revenue anyway. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > >> >> >> >> > > What I found out was that the bundh affects the > >> >>small (mostly > >> >> >> >> >Assamese) > >> >> >> >> >> > > contractors, the private workers (mostly Assamese) > >> >> >>and the public > >> >> >> > > >(mostly > >> >> >> >> >> > > Assamese). > >> >> >> >> >> > > For everybody else, bundh is a boon in the land of > >> >>'lahe lahe'. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > Another thing. It is very easy to announce a bundh > >> >>in Assam. If > >> >> >> >> >someone > >> >> >> >> >> > > telephone the Newspaper office that we are such > >> >>and such from > >> >> >> >ULFA > >> >> >> >> >and we > >> >> >> >> >> > > are announcing a bundh on such and such day please > >> >>publish the > >> >> >> >news. > >> >> >> >> >> > > Hobo Diok, the answer will come.. > >> >> >> >> >> > > That is all. The rest of the bundh is done by the news > >> >> >>media. They > >> >> >> >> >will > >> >> >> >> >> > > publishize everywhere that on such and such day ULFA > >> >> >>has announced > >> >> >> >a > >> >> >> >> >Bundh. > >> >> >> >> >> > > There is no ULFA to monitor the bundh and none > >> >>evebn to verify. > >> >> >> >But > >> >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >> > > bundh will happen very punctually as if everybody were > >> >> >>waiting for > >> >> >> >it. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > I say way to go AASU and ULFA. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > Hobo Diok. > >> >> >> >> >> > > Joi Ai Oxom > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > Barua. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > ----- Original Message ----- > >> >> >> >> >> > > From: "Ram Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >> >> >> >> > > To: <[email protected]> > >> >> >> >> >> > > Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 11:06 PM > >> >> >> >> >> > > Subject: [Assam] Is Assam, the Land of Bandhs? > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Among other things, Assam, it seems has > >>become the land of > >> >> >> >bandhs. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Every political group, student body, karmachari > >> >> >>unions call for > >> >> >> >> >> > > > frequent bandhs. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > This month there has already been one bandh on > >> >>the 14th, now > >> >> >> >here is > >> >> >> >> >> > > > another one. (i may have missed one or two here > >> >>and there). > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > While these different groups may have legitimate > >> >> >>grievances, it > >> >> >> >does > >> >> >> >> >> > > > seem 'nijor bhorit khutar maara' attitude. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > I am not sure if anyone has calculated the > >> >>tremendous loss to > >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >> > > > economy at each bandh. How much do these cost the > >> >> >>state in terms > >> >> >> >of > >> >> >> >> >> > > > money, productivity, education & commerce? > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > The other question is, does a call for bandh > >> >>actually resolve > >> >> >> >any of > >> >> >> >> >> > > > the grievances for which the bandh is called for? > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > DD brought up the story of how Govt. employees enjoy > >> >> >>a 'bandh'. > >> >> >> >But > >> >> >> >> >> > > > what about the rest of the populace. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Either they have become immune to such calls, > >> >>and take such > >> >> >> >calls as > >> >> >> >> >a > >> >> >> >> >> > > > day off, or they just helpless? Do people think > >> >>only in the > >> >> >> >short > >> > > >> >> >run? > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Is the long term too bleak, so they live for > >>the present? > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > I don't know the answers to these, but I do know > >> >>for a state > >> >> >> >that is > >> >> >> >> > > > > > struggling on many different fronts, the last thing > >> >> >>Assam needs > >> >> >> >is > >> >> >> >> >> > > > being cut off at the knees every time a bandh > >> >>is called. In > >> >> >> >fact, > > > >> >> >> >its > >> >> >> >> >> > > > tantamount of doing the state no service at all. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Does anyone have any stats on how these bandhs > >> >> >>affect the state, > > > >> >> >and > >> >> >> >> >> > > > how many Assam averages on a yearly basis? > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Anyway, here is a news itel from the Tribune, about > >> > > >>yet another > >> >> >> >> >bandh. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > --Ram > >> >> >> >> >> > > > ________________________________ > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Adivasi body calls Assam bandh today > >> >> > > >> >> > > > By A Staff Reporter > >> >> >> >> >> > > > GUWAHATI, Feb 20 - The All Adivasi Students' > >> >>Association of > >> >> >> >Assam > >> >> >> >> >> > > > (AASAA) has given a call for a 12-hour Assam > >> >>bandh tomorrow > >> >> >> > > >demanding > >> >> >> >> >> > > > scheduled tribe status for the Adivasi > >> >>community. In a release > >> >> >> >here > >> >> >> >> >> > > > today, Justin Lakra and David Horo, the president > >> >> >>and assistant > >> >> >> >> >> > > > general secretary respectively of the AASAA, said > >> >> >>that over the > >> >> > > >> >years, > >> >> >> >> >> > > > the Congress had been betraying the Adivasi people > >> >> >>on the issue > >> >> >> >of > >> >> >> >> >> > > > granting the status of scheduled tribes. The > >> >>release said that > >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Congress Government is also not concerned about > >> >>the problems > >> >> >> >faced > >> >> >> >> >by > >> >> >> >> >> > > > the tea labourers. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > The AASAA said that the Congress Government, > >> >>just before the > >> >> >> >Moran > >> >> >> >> >> > > > by-polls, promised to give appointments to 80 > >> >>youths of tea > >> >> >> >tribes, > >> >> >> >> >> > > > but the promise was never fulfilled. During the > >> >> >>finalisation of > >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >> > > > boundary of the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous > >> >>Council also, > >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Government never tried to protect the interests > >> >>of the Adivasi > >> >> >> >> >> > > > community. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 09:31:59 +0530, Babul Gogoi > >> >> >> ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >> >> >> >wrote: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 19:41:09 -0600, Ram > >> Sarangapani > >> >> >> >> ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> >> >> >> >> > > wrote: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > What do netters think? Would netters like to > >> >> >>add/delete from > >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >list > >> >> >> >> >> > > here? > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > --Ram > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > A Few Tips to AASU > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > The All Assam Students Union may regain its lost > >> >> >>popularity > >> >> >> >if > >> >> >> >> >it > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > takes a decision on the following points: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > a) To give up the idea of forming the Asom Sena, > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > b) Give up Assam bandh/local bandh calls for > >> >>the next few > >> >> >> >years, > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > c) Opposes all bandh calls given by > >>other parties to > >> >> >> >facilitate > >> >> >> >> >the > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > students to concentrate on studies, > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > d) Creates village-level task forces to see > >> >>that academic > >> >> >> >> >atmosphere > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > in educational institutions is properly > >> >> >>maintained, teachers > >> >> >> >> >attend > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > classes by giving up politics and private > >> >> >>business concerns, > >> >> >> >> >courses > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > are completed before the examinations and all > >> >> >>classes start > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > immediately after declaration of the results. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > e) Raise funds for the poor schools to buy > > > >>Computers, etc., > >> > > >> >> >instead of > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > political expenses. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > Prasanna Kumar Sharma, > > > >> >> >> >> > > > > > 3, Narikalbari, 2nd by lane, > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > Guwahati-24. > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > _______________________________________________ > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > Assam mailing list > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > [email protected] > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > Mailing list FAQ: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > To unsubscribe or change options: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam > >> > > >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > -- > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > Babul Gogoi > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > http://xguy2k.blogspot.com > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > Assam mailing list > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > [email protected] > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > Mailing list FAQ: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > To unsubscribe or change options: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam > >> >> > > >> >> > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > _______________________________________________ > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Assam mailing list > >> >> >> >> >> > > > [email protected] > >> >> >> >> >> > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > >> >> >> >> > > > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > > Mailing list FAQ: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html > >> >> >> >> >> > > > To unsubscribe or change options: > >> >> >> >> >> > > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam > >> >> > > >> >> > > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > >> >> >> >> >> > > Assam mailing list > >> >> >> >> >> > > [email protected] > >> >> >> >> >> > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > >> >> >> > > >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > Mailing list FAQ: > >> >> >> >> >> > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html > >> >> >> >> >> > > To unsubscribe or change options: > >> >> >> >> >> > > http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam > >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >> > -- > >> >> >> >> >> > Prasenjit Chetia > >> >> >> >> >> > Atlanta, GA > >> >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ > >> >> >> >> >> Assam mailing list > >> >> >> >> >> [email protected] > >> >> >> >> >> http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> Mailing list FAQ: > >> >> >> >> >> http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html > >> >> >> >> >> To unsubscribe or change options: > >> >> >> >> >> http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam > >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >_______________________________________________ > >> >> >> >> >Assam mailing list > >> >> >> >> >[email protected] > >> >> >> >> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> >Mailing list FAQ: > >> >> >> > > >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html > >> >> >> >> >To unsubscribe or change options: > >> >> >> >> >http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> _______________________________________________ > >> >> >> Assam mailing list > >> >> >> [email protected] > >> >> >> http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam > >> >> >> > >> >> >> Mailing list FAQ: > >> >> >> http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html > >> >> >> To unsubscribe or change options: > >> >> >> http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam > >> >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > > > > > _______________________________________________ Assam mailing list [email protected] http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam Mailing list FAQ: http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html To unsubscribe or change options: http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam
