[Assam] Pranab admits to Chinese incursions
Pranab admits to Chinese incursions New Delhi, Jan 12: A day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs talks in Beijing, India has admitted to Chinese incursions in its territory but said there was nothing to worry about. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in an interview that the matter has been taken up with Chinese authorities and the problem addressed through established mechanisms. Sometimes incursions take place. We immediately take it up. Mechanisms have been established through which we address this problem, he said while commenting on the observation made by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) that 140 incursions had taken place by October last year. Asked if the frequency of the incursions had increased, the External Affairs Minister said it is not unusual...it has not sudddenly increased. There is nothing to worry about at this point of time, and the mechanisms which we have, are doing well. Mukherjee admitted that the infrastructure on the Chinese side of the Sino-Indian border was much superior to that of India in Arunachal Pradesh but said the Government was now building roads and other infrastruture on the Indian side as well. So far as the development of the infrastructure on the other side of the Indo-China border is concerned, their infrastructuere in terms of road, electricity and other facilities is much superior to that on our side. It is a known fact. That is why we have decided that we should also build up roads and other types of infrastructural facilities, he added. He, however, said there was no need to panic, and assured that there was no question of letting down vigilance or alertness. So far as vigilance is concerned, we shall always have to be alert and provide whatsoeve facilities are required to protect the territorial integrity of the country. There is no question of letting down our vigilance and alertness. But at the same time, the situation which is prevailing right now on the border and along the LAC, there is no need of pressing any panic button. Peace and tranquility are being retained, he said in an interview with CNN-IBN. (UNI) - Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] video - Riding solo to top of world - legend vs TATA - oldest running bike - to stop running ?
it seems people in general agree that mobikes are better for city driving than cars -- ofcourse for outdoors - cars are useless. see the NY Times article ofr people's comments any comments Bikash-da? Umesh umesh sharma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SldSSPxWMfkeurl=http://www.60kph.com/photos/video/ridingsolo/highband.html I found this incredible video on the website you mentioned -- wonder how filmed himself riding on serpentine paths --well mixed with music etc. Umesh DR BIKASH KUMAR DAS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Dear Umesh, I forgot to add the wonderful page to you. here we Indian with Enfield- your loving bike. www.60kph.com Happy riding with Enfield. Bikash da. - Now you can chat without downloading messenger. Click here to know how. Umesh Sharma Washington D.C. 1-202-215-4328 [Cell] Ed.M. - International Education Policy Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Class of 2005 http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info) http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info) www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used ) http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/ http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ - Sent from Yahoo! - a smarter inbox. Umesh Sharma Washington D.C. 1-202-215-4328 [Cell] Ed.M. - International Education Policy Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Class of 2005 http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info) http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info) www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used ) http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/ http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ - Sent from Yahoo! #45; a smarter inbox. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] HOJO
Just a few complaints on HOJOs. There are tonns of such complaints on HOJO and other budget hotels if you search the net . Food for thought for some HArvard MBA on how HOJO (and other budgest hotels) are still in business http://www.talkingtree.com/blog/index.cfm/2003/10/25/HoJo http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60887-d123704-Reviews-Howard_Johnson_Inn_Suites_Springfield-Springfield_Illinois.html Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] HOJO
Proves what I heard about HOJO -- that it is not something a discerning traveler would patronize. Obviously the jokes I heard when we moved to St. Louis in 1975 had merit. So when a desi H1B, highly skilled in information collection , knowing 'tripadvisor' like the palm of one's hand, raking in high wages, go zero in on a HOJO as a BRAND NAME to trust, something tells me there is a problem here, of expectations, at the very least. There could be other problems too that one can speculate on. But that I will leave to the imagination of readers :-). How does it stay in business? ONE answer would be that it has a sales weapon. Perhaps cost. There are people who cannot afford any better and are forced to take what is offered. Like the low cost grocery stores where they sell sub-standard and wilted or slightly rotting but still edible produce. Or the slum dwellings in ghettos. Or the used car bought for $ 500. So on and so forth. Those of us who went thru the immigrant experience and had no money when we arrived in the country, should know. The search for a motel under $10.00 per night before darkness falls in our weekend forays into the heartland and backwoods of California is still fresh in my memory. Fortunately though we always did find a clean and safe place. Took a little doing, but one was always available, somewhere. ANOTHER could be that these HOJO s are facilities in certain locations, exceptions to the norm. I am not familiar with New York City, but 34th street does not ring a bell as a destination spot. So, while HOJO at 34th street may be like a Dum Dum airport three star facility or the one at Orlando is like a dharamsala at Mathura, others might be just fine and up to standard as anything that could be expected. Therefore boils down to doing one's due diligence. Because there ARE plenty of good, reliable and reasonably priced motels and hotels across the USA, in small towns and big cities. I am not that well traveled, but from the little I have seen, US hotels and motels are the best VALUES and most easily available in the world. Just like food. On the other hand, are there such choices at Dum Dum? Or at Guahati? That IS the issue, the point of the debate. At 7:03 AM -0800 1/13/08, Krishnendu Chakraborty wrote: Just a few complaints on HOJOs. There are tonns of such complaints on HOJO and other budget hotels if you search the net . Food for thought for some HArvard MBA on how HOJO (and other budgest hotels) are still in business http://www.talkingtree.com/blog/index.cfm/2003/10/25/HoJo http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60887-d123704-Reviews-Howard_Johnson_Inn_Suites_Springfield-Springfield_Illinois.html Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Assamese comedy in Mumbai
*NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA* Presents COMEDY PLAY PRODUCTION AKASH In Assamese *In MUMBAI SATTELITE FESTIVAL* On 15th January 200*8 at Rabindra Natya Mandir* at 5.00 pm RSVP; Mr. Baharul Islam, Director, Seagull- 09435544434 ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] 14 injured in grenade explosion near Guwahati rly station
14 injured in grenade explosion near Guwahati rly station Guwahati (PTI): Fourteen persons, including six security personnel, were injured, seven of them critically, when suspected insurgent group ULFa triggered a powerful grenade explosion in front of a police station near Guwahati railway station here on Sunday evening. The grenade exploded at around 7:30 pm in front of the Paltan Bazaar police station near the station injuring seven people critically while seven others received minor injuries. The critically injured included a minor girl, five CRPF personnel and an Assam police personnel. The police claimed ULFA militants had targetted a CRPF patrol party in the area. The injured were admitted to Guwahati Medical College Hospital. Senior police and civil officials rushed to the spot and the entire area has been cordoned off. Railway officials said here that trains would run as per schedule. Paltan Bazaar is a busy commercial area from where long-distance buses operate and it was unusually crowded with the 'Magh Bihu', a major festival, celebrations beginning on Monday. During the day, another grenade exploded at Rajivnagar of Kahilipara area of the city but there was no casualty and a house partially damaged. - Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] video - Riding solo to top of world - legend vs TATA - oldest running bike - to stop running ?
Haa Dear Umesh, I love only scooter, bcz it got one spare wheel, space for luggage,and the vehicle I drove first was a vespa 150 when I was class 4 student in 1972. In 1984 my first long drive was another 76 make bajaj vespa from my native to Shillong alone, 220 km one way.I took 6 hours in December cold..haaa In 1988 I had one 150 bajaj and now its in my village.Later I got Bajaj Bravo in 1999 and still I manage with it.it give me 50 kmpl.I did drove Yezdi,Jawa and Enfield too.But enfields whole thing is ulta palta.. so I dnt like. The bike is easy to maintain and drive at any conditions including traffic.But car- kep pressing clutch,break, gear and so many...with tensions.My Maruti 800 is now just a sample piece.I cant drive in Bangalore. Likewise all feel- who has good oxygenated mind. Bike/Scooters are still peoples vehicle anywhere. Bikash da. umesh sharma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: it seems people in general agree that mobikes are better for city driving than cars -- ofcourse for outdoors - cars are useless. see the NY Times article ofr people's comments any comments Bikash-da? Umesh umesh sharma [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SldSSPxWMfkeurl=http://www.60kph.com/photos/video/ridingsolo/highband.html I found this incredible video on the website you mentioned -- wonder how filmed himself riding on serpentine paths --well mixed with music etc. Umesh DR BIKASH KUMAR DAS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Dear Umesh, I forgot to add the wonderful page to you. here we Indian with Enfield- your loving bike. www.60kph.com Happy riding with Enfield. Bikash da. - Now you can chat without downloading messenger. Click here to know how. Umesh Sharma Washington D.C. 1-202-215-4328 [Cell] Ed.M. - International Education Policy Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Class of 2005 http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info) http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info) www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used ) http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/ http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ - Sent from Yahoo! - a smarter inbox. Umesh Sharma Washington D.C. 1-202-215-4328 [Cell] Ed.M. - International Education Policy Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Class of 2005 http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info) http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info) www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used ) http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/ http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ - Sent from Yahoo! - a smarter inbox. - Chat on a cool, new interface. No download required. Click here. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] Border Trouble
Greetings Thakuria. Thanks for sharing your information loaded piece on Border Trouble. I took the trouble to read it, in consideration of your effort at writing it and for remembering me in your cc list. The least I could do. It raised a number of questions in my mind. I am sure that was exactly what you aspired to do- raidse questions and awareness. But my questions might not exactly be in line of what you intended to raise. If so, please do forgive me. *** Your opening paragraph characterizes the subject of your essay as a 'shocking revelation'. That I find quite a curious reaction, considering the decade or more of routine announcements in certain sections of the Assam and Indian media of ISI agents being 'nabbed', 'apprehended','arrested' and so forth. I have not kept count, but my guess would be that at least a couple of dozen or so per year. You being the journalist, investigative or merely reporting, either must have missed all that, to be so 'shocked' at the 'revelation''. Or was that just a little journalistic license, an indulgence with that world-renowned Indian hyperbole? Anyway, that raises yet another set of questions in my mind. I am sure it does to other thoughtful Netters too, even though they might not always let others in on their curiosities about such things for a variety of reasons: A: What happens to all these ISI agents that get 'nabbed' and they confess ? Indian police seems to be extremely good in getting such confessions very fast, even from the dreaded ISI cadres. And that without complaints of torture, humane but harsh interrogation methods like water-boarding and the like. How else would the police or the bureaucrats or the reporters ( like yourself) or the ministers KNOW that they really are ISI agents, sent to Assam to turn it into an Islamic state with the help of them despicable insurgents? A side thought here: Indian/Assam police ought to sell their expertise to the clueless CIA or spook agencies like Stratfor ( operated by an ex CIA agent) , who can't seem to be able get any conviction of any of their detainees here in the US . There is good money here. B: Do these nabbed ISI cadres get bail after they 'CONFESS to their ISI association crimes and stay free ? Or do they languish in prison for decades as under-trials, like those labeled ULFA and other such dreaded labels, with no trial in sight? Or given a fair timely trial in the great traditions of desi-demokrasy to determine guilt or innocence ? C: If they had been tried, how many of them had been convicted of the crimes they were charged with or ANY crime for that matter, in the last decade or so? Have you ever tried to find out? I would like to think, as a respected journalist you would be very curious. I like to think that you will also agree that merely being charged with being an ISI or being 'nabbed' is NOT the same as being actually guilty. Particularly by Indian or Assam police, considering their track record in other areas of crime fighting. I am appalled by Indian newspapers gloating about these episodes of dreaded ISI cadres or insurgent cadres being 'nabbed', as if it means they are actually so convicted, with nary a word of curiosity for the ranks of the watchdogs of desi-demokrasy the free and fearless journalists like yourselves. You can make yourself a name, should you choose to take that on as a journalistic goal: To find the truths ( or fictions), associated with these claims of the authorities, and the end results as proven in a just court of law; even though I realize it could carry risks to your professional advancement or even your livelihood. Not that I am suggesting that the ISI could not be involved in troubled parts of India. I am certain they are. Just as RAW is in Pakjistan or B'Desh or even in Assam. But these routine claims of their nabbing need some verification. And the results of such apprehension MUST be shown to the PEOPLE, in order to DETER future aspirants of trouble-making, won't you think? You and I both know that Indian anarchy is a direct result of a weak and clueless government unable to punish the guilty while harassing the innocent or the hapless to no end. D: What exactly would be the CRIME associated with being slapped with the ISI-cadre charge by Indian law? Is it a capital crime punishable by death? Or long prison sentences? Or deportation to Pakistan, regardless of whether they are Pakistanis or B'Deshis or Indians? Huge fines? Or a
[Assam] From ToI/ Corruption
The Indian government has promised to take exemplary action against those found guilty, it added. That is reassuring! cm NEW DELHI: World Bank has discovered serious cases of fraud and corruption in the five health sector projects dealing with eradication of tuberculosis and malaria and HIV/AIDS control schemes. The probe into the five health projects has revealed unacceptable indicators of fraud and corruption, World Bank President Robert B Zoellick said in the statement. These projects include USD 114 million Malaria Control Project, USD 82.1 million Orissa Health Systems Development Project, USD 54 million Food and Drug Capacity Building Project, USD 193.7 million Second National HIV/AIDS Control Project USD and 124.8 million Tuberculosis Control Project, it added. The Indian government has promised to take exemplary action against those found guilty, it added. The cases of frauds and corruption were discovered during the Detailed Implementation Review (DIR), which was launched by the bank in 2006, with support from Indian government. The five projects were implemented between 1997 and 2003 with assistance from the Bank and other donors. Four of these projects have already been completed, while the fifth USD 54-million Food and Drug Capacity Building Project is ongoing, but the funds have not been disbursed for it yet. This project will now be reviewed to incorporate the findings of the DIR, the World Bank statement said. In an investigation in 2005, the World Bank had found cases of corruption in Reproductive and Child Health project, prompting the multi-lateral agency to withhold aid for the project for sometime. Subsequent to the probe, two pharma companies were also debarred by the Bank. The current DIR was prompted by that investigation, the World Bank said. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] HOJO
Proves what I heard about HOJO -- that it is not something a discerning traveler would patronize. Obviously the jokes I heard when we moved to St. Louis in 1975 had merit. Or the Days Inn http://www.totalfrance.com/days_inn/days_inn_nightmare.html Or Travelodge -- http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/travelodge.html Or the endless list of budget hotels in US. And many of these rated by AAA with its Diamond rating. So when a desi H1B, highly skilled in information collection , knowing 'tripadvisor' like the palm of one's hand, raking in high wages, go zero in on a HOJO as a BRAND NAME to trust, something tells me there is a problem here, of expectations, at the very least. Hmm.. not as high wage as you Sir ... sitting in a luxury bunglow and advising Indians. So I should discount HOJO as brand name, Days Inn as brand name ... can you suggest something which I should consider. And BTW, why do the NRAs who can afford bunglows and Gas Guzzlers go for cheap hotels in India (and then use their experience as a benchmark against Indian Hotel industry). Though you have learned all about my wage, I am not exactly sure about your wage but from some bits and pieces of info I have accumulated, it will be safe to assume that you can afford 5 stars during your short stays in India . There could be other problems too that one can speculate on. But that I will leave to the imagination of readers :-). How does it stay in business? ONE answer would be that it has a sales weapon. Perhaps cost. There Why not apply the same logic to the Dumdum hotel. are people who cannot afford any better and are forced to take what is offered. Like the low cost grocery stores where they sell sub-standard and wilted or slightly rotting but still edible produce. Or the slum dwellings in ghettos. Or the used car bought for $ 500. So on and so forth. Those of us who went thru the immigrant experience and had no money when we arrived in the country, should know. The search for a motel under $10.00 per night before darkness falls in our weekend forays into the heartland and backwoods of California is still fresh in my memory. Fortunately though we always did find a clean and safe place. Took a little doing, but one was always available, somewhere. ANOTHER could be that these HOJO s are facilities in certain locations, exceptions to the norm. I am not familiar with New York Excuse and more excuse. BTW, any explanation why such HOJOs are rated by AAA with its diamond rating which lives upto its reputation. Actually I can suggest you an easier excuse. Just blame all these complaints against Desis suffering from inferiority complex. City, but 34th street does not ring a bell as a destination spot. So, while HOJO at 34th street may be like a Dum Dum airport three star facility or the one at Orlando is like a dharamsala at Mathura, others might be just fine and up to standard as anything that could be expected. Therefore boils down to doing one's due diligence. Because there ARE plenty of good, reliable and reasonably priced motels and hotels across the USA, in small towns and big cities. I am not that well traveled, but from the little I have seen, US hotels and motels are the best VALUES There are CHOICES everywhere just the way you found in Calcutta or Delhi I have travelled extensively in India (particularly South India) and there are definitely decent budget hotels. But anyway, just by seeing one or two hotels in one or two locations of India, you seem to be the expert :-) you know I know better thing and most easily available in the world. Just like food. On the other hand, are there such choices at Dum Dum? Or at Guahati? That IS the issue, the point of the debate. At 7:03 AM -0800 1/13/08, Krishnendu Chakraborty wrote: Just a few complaints on HOJOs. There are tonns of such complaints on HOJO and other budget hotels if you search the net . Food for thought for some HArvard MBA on how HOJO (and other budgest hotels) are still in business http://www.talkingtree.com/blog/index.cfm/2003/10/25/HoJo http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60887-d123704-Reviews-Howard_Johnson_Inn_Suites_Springfield-Springfield_Illinois.html Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Border Trouble
Indian police seems to be extremely good in getting such confessions very fast, even from the dreaded ISI cadres. And that without complaints of torture, humane but harsh interrogation methods like water-boarding and the like. A side thought here: Indian/Assam police ought to sell their expertise to the clueless CIA or spook agencies like Stratfor ( operated by an ex CIA agent) , who can't seem to be able get any conviction of any of their detainees here in the US . There is good money here. Heh-heh why don't they learn from their friends in Guatanamo. Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] HOJO
ANOTHER could be that these HOJO s are facilities in certain locations, exceptions to the norm. I am not familiar with New York Excuse and more excuse. BTW, any explanation why such HOJOs are rated by AAA with its diamond rating which lives upto its reputation. *** Why is it an EXCUSE? What is unbelievable or unreasonable about my explanation? Are ALL HOJOS bad, hell holes, like your Orlando experience? Or the Days Inn and Or Travelodge Both are widely known to be cheap chains . Not that they are always filthy. Some are quite nice. Many are run by desis. I have stayed in a few over the years. But their quality is not uniform and they do serve those whose budgets can't reach the more expensive and of uniform quality. Sometimes there are no other alternatives in the locale, because it is not a popular travel destination. But good enough for a night's rest after a long drive. Clean sheets. Hot shower. Flushing Toilet. The smell of stale curry in the corridors are a turnoff, but hey, you get what you pay for. And BTW, why do the NRAs who can afford bunglows and Gas Guzzlers go for cheap hotels in India (and then use their experience as a benchmark against Indian Hotel industry). For a very simple reason: Those that are halfway decent are horribly expensive, like $ 300.00 per night or more. For that kind of money one could stay at the Ritz Carltons in the US. They complain about the horribly poor quality of the hotels that are highly overpriced, even by Indian standards. Those who complain won't if they could just get a clean bed with a flushing toilet and hot water in the shower in the winter and the panes not missing from windows and the like. .. can you suggest something which I should consider. *** Heard of tripadvisor? it will be safe to assume that you can afford 5 stars during your short stays in India . *** Yes I could, and I might have been driven to, if one were to be available conveniently, like next to the airport at Dum Dum and not half hour away at say Salt Lake or the Stadium or an hour away at Chowringhee or Park Circus. But I do not believe in throwing money away, even if I could afford to. To arrive at 3:00 AM and paying $ 300.00 to stay till 8:00 AM just does NOT make any sense. That is the difference. There are CHOICES everywhere just the way you found in Calcutta or Delhi *** Why don't you tell us of a few at DumDum, the subject of the arguments. I have travelled extensively in India (particularly South India) and there are definitely decent budget hotels. Well!!! That therefore sets the standard of the Indian hotel industry. Must be another example of cutting edge statistical savvy, driving desis to making sweeping judgements from the exceptions to the norm. At 10:29 AM -0800 1/13/08, Krishnendu Chakraborty wrote: Proves what I heard about HOJO -- that it is not something a discerning traveler would patronize. Obviously the jokes I heard when we moved to St. Louis in 1975 had merit. Or the Days Inn http://www.totalfrance.com/days_inn/days_inn_nightmare.html Or Travelodge -- http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/travelodge.html Or the endless list of budget hotels in US. And many of these rated by AAA with its Diamond rating. So when a desi H1B, highly skilled in information collection , knowing 'tripadvisor' like the palm of one's hand, raking in high wages, go zero in on a HOJO as a BRAND NAME to trust, something tells me there is a problem here, of expectations, at the very least. Hmm.. not as high wage as you Sir ... sitting in a luxury bunglow and advising Indians. So I should discount HOJO as brand name, Days Inn as brand name ... can you suggest something which I should consider. And BTW, why do the NRAs who can afford bunglows and Gas Guzzlers go for cheap hotels in India (and then use their experience as a benchmark against Indian Hotel industry). Though you have learned all about my wage, I am not exactly sure about your wage but from some bits and pieces of info I have accumulated, it will be safe to assume that you can afford 5 stars during your short stays in India . There could be other problems too that one can speculate on. But that I will leave to the imagination of readers :-). How does it stay in business? ONE answer would be that it has a sales weapon. Perhaps cost. There Why not apply the same logic to the Dumdum hotel. are people who cannot afford any better and are forced to take what is offered. Like the low cost grocery stores where they sell sub-standard and wilted or slightly rotting but still edible produce. Or the slum dwellings in ghettos. Or the used car bought for $ 500. So on and so forth. Those of us who went thru the immigrant experience and had no money when we arrived in the country, should know. The search for a motel under $10.00 per night before darkness falls in our weekend forays into the heartland and backwoods of
[Assam] HOJO
destination. But good enough for a night's rest after a long drive. Clean sheets. Hot shower. Flushing Toilet. If you read the review you will see that many do not even have these basic stuff *** Why is it an EXCUSE? What is unbelievable or unreasonable about my explanation? Are ALL HOJOS bad, hell holes, like your Orlando experience? Many are , as evident from numerous feedback in net. And similarly your one experience in Dumdum does not make it that ALL hotels in India are horrible. of stale curry in the corridors are a turnoff, but hey, you get what you pay for. Exactly! And that's what you get when you book a hotel for Rs1200 in Dumdum ... that too without any reservation. For a very simple reason: Those that are halfway decent are horribly expensive, like $ 300.00 per night or more. For that kind of money one could stay at the Ritz Carltons in the US. But are not those for the Rich and the Famous .. like you :-) Those who complain won't if they could just get a clean bed with a flushing toilet and hot water in the shower in the winter and the panes not missing from windows and the like. Are not there similar complaints against many of the US hotels . I mean that's what I see all over the net ... unless those complaints are all cooked up by some Desis. To arrive at 3:00 AM and paying $ 300.00 to stay till 8:00 AM just does NOT make any sense. Then you will have to go by your own words You get what you pay for *** Why don't you tell us of a few at DumDum, the subject of the arguments. You do not pay me to do your research . I do not need any hotel in Dumdum (because I stopover at Mumbai) and so never tried to find. But a tip for All travelers ... there is an excellent book -- Bhraman Sangi ..originally in Bengali but I guess they have now translated in English. I found their recomendation more reliable then AAA. Well!!! That therefore sets the standard of the Indian hotel industry. Must be another example of cutting edge statistical savvy, driving desis to making sweeping judgements from the exceptions to the norm. Definitely not sir, definitely not ! The standard is what is preached by people like you who have visited just may be one or two places in India, stayed in India for a total of may be les then 100 days in 20 years and still are experts. People like me who have widely travelled accross different locations of India are just ignorant fools :-) ANOTHER could be that these HOJO s are facilities in certain locations, exceptions to the norm. I am not familiar with New York Excuse and more excuse. BTW, any explanation why such HOJOs are rated by AAA with its diamond rating which lives upto its reputation. *** Why is it an EXCUSE? What is unbelievable or unreasonable about my explanation? Are ALL HOJOS bad, hell holes, like your Orlando experience? Or the Days Inn and Or Travelodge Both are widely known to be cheap chains . Not that they are always filthy. Some are quite nice. Many are run by desis. I have stayed in a few over the years. But their quality is not uniform and they do serve those whose budgets can't reach the more expensive and of uniform quality. Sometimes there are no other alternatives in the locale, because it is not a popular travel destination. But good enough for a night's rest after a long drive. Clean sheets. Hot shower. Flushing Toilet. The smell of stale curry in the corridors are a turnoff, but hey, you get what you pay for. And BTW, why do the NRAs who can afford bunglows and Gas Guzzlers go for cheap hotels in India (and then use their experience as a benchmark against Indian Hotel industry). For a very simple reason: Those that are halfway decent are horribly expensive, like $ 300.00 per night or more. For that kind of money one could stay at the Ritz Carltons in the US. They complain about the horribly poor quality of the hotels that are highly overpriced, even by Indian standards. Those who complain won't if they could just get a clean bed with a flushing toilet and hot water in the shower in the winter and the panes not missing from windows and the like. .. can you suggest something which I should consider. *** Heard of tripadvisor? it will be safe to assume that you can afford 5 stars during your short stays in India . *** Yes I could, and I might have been driven to, if one were to be available conveniently, like next to the airport at Dum Dum and not half hour away at say Salt Lake or the Stadium or an hour away at Chowringhee or Park Circus. But I do not believe in throwing money away, even if I could afford to. To arrive at 3:00 AM and paying $ 300.00 to stay till 8:00 AM just does NOT make any sense. That is the difference. There are CHOICES everywhere just the way you found in Calcutta or Delhi *** Why don't you tell us of a few at DumDum, the subject of the arguments. I have travelled extensively in India (particularly
[Assam] BHOGALEE BIHU GREETINGS
Sincere Bhogalee and Magh Bihu Greetings to all lovely people here. Dr.Bikash Kumar Das Bangalore - Now you can chat without downloading messenger. Click here to know how. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] The Nano not so nano stuff.
They say all the airlines do not have trained pilots with CAT-III landing (don't know what this technically mean). Mridul Ram Sarangapani [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ram That link to Delhi airport - its nothing like what we saw on Dec 27th (for a few hours) on the way to Guwahati. While we were picking up the baggage, I did make the customary trip to the restroom. They had Kohler fitting and were comparitively nicer. Btw: Does anyone know why Delhi always seems to a have a problem with flights in the winter fog? I thought they were all now equipped with ILS (Instrument Landing Systems). --Ram On 1/11/08, Ram Dhar wrote: Tell me what is not expensive these days in Indian Metros :-) Delhi prices have gone up as much as 40% in 5 star hotels in the last 2 years . Bcoz of room shortages and high prices I read recently many international tour operators are now bypassig Delhi and Bombay . Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa are popular for the tour operators . Approx 30,000 additional hotel rooms will be required in the city of Delhi and the NCR to meet the requirement of Commonwealth Games 2010. Read it in newspapers that 5 years tax holiday for budget and luxury hotels announced to promote investment in hotel sector. In calcutta if u book ahead of time , oberoi grand /Taj Bengal rooms can be booked for 145 - 170 dollars/nite. Both very good hotels. Food and service in both Taj Bengal /Oberoi ..simply superb ! Peerless Inn near oberoi hotel is also pretty reaonable and good. It was around Rs 3000/nite few years back.They have a great restaurant, Aheli ...bengali thali there is out of the world !! Location is also great as one can just walk around there do all the shopping in maidan area. Calcutta International airport - it's in a bad shape ...do u know there are two unions among porters there one backed by red brigade and one by Mamatas ...so lets stop the discussion here .only place you will get hot tea/coffee after late nite arrival is Jyoti Basus house in saltlake ...coz the coffee shops and restaurant are all closed between 10 pm and 6 AM (atleast last time I was there in 2006) ! Lets hope Intl/domestic airports in Delhi-Bombay (facelift and additional runways et al) are completed per schedule by 2010 ...it's an eye sore and torture to go to these airports -- two classic examples of INDIA GROWING BUT NOT SHOWING. Something really good happening to Bl're atlast, see the status , photos of the new Bangalore airport : http://www.bialairport.com/project_pictures.htm?cid=leftnavigationses=bial $US 1.3 Billion being spent for Delhi Airport upgrade - http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1171837303.html work progress status - http://www.newdelhiairport.in/ Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:09:29 -0600 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: assam@assamnet.org Subject: Re: [Assam] The Nano not so nano stuff Just a few points. The Airport Hotel in Kolkata is under contruction. We did get to stay in the Senator (Camay street). Pretty good. Rs7500 +luxury tax. Airport pickup/drop is about 1600. The biggest hotel scams are in Delhi though. Last year we stayed at the the JP Vasan International (near the airport). They charge about 13,000 + lux. tax. For that price, one would expect a great room. The room was ok - nothing to write home about. The hotel has a great foyer, great complementary breakfast though. A great hotel for its price was the Swagatham Beach Hotel in Kovalam. We got a suite with a balcony overlooking the sea for 4500 per night. B'fast complementary. I find that hotels in Delhi/Mumbai are simply overrated and over priced. --Ram On 1/11/08, Chan Mahanta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: BTW, how about comparing the Star hotels ... the hotel in Orlando (HOJO) is a 2 star hotel as rated by AAA How about it? Should that define the general standard of hotels and motels across the USA? Incidentally HOJO is owned by desis if I am not mistaken. That might explain it :-). BTW, did you report it to AAA? It does make a difference. Once I was getting the run-around on the published sale price and what I was being charged for a room at a national chain rated by AAA. I paid but told the hotel clerk that I am going straight to AAA about it. Shortly thereafter I got a call in my room, with apologies, and a refund. I won't try to compare the US quality of motels and hotels with Indian ones. It will not be fair to do so. But when an Indian hotel charges prices like US hotels, you would expect it , at the very least, to have similar amenities, even though it could reasonably be argued that that they ought to be much better, considering what that amount of Rupees can buy in the local marketplace. At 8:07 AM -0800 1/11/08, Krishnendu Chakraborty wrote: The question of comparision does not arise because you DO NOT find a $30 hotel in major US city that too near airport. To compare you will first need to
[Assam] Latest additions to the Dictionary
ENJOY! Bucknor: (n) (adj) 1. Temporary blindness leading to missing out on the obvious. 2. Situations leading to grave judgmental errors. Usage: I feel bucknored by my employer. Ponting: (n) (adj) 1. A substance or entity or even a person of unquestionable integrity 2. An act of uncivilised behaviour. [Also, pontingness (n)] Usage: The judge was driven towards justice because he knew that the pontiff was a ponting. Sir Bonkers said, Don't try to bully me. I surely can fathom the pontingness in your eyes\. Bhajji: (v) 1. Be fired, eliminated or dismissed unfairly. Usage: To cut down on costs the company had to bhajji almost half of its workers. Kumble: (v) 1. Carry on struggling in hostile conditions where others would back off. Usage: The sailors kumbled against the rough seas. Muktikam Phukan Deputy Director (NR) Petroleum Conservation Research Association Sanrakshan Bhawan,10, Bhikaiji Cama Place,New Delhi 110066 Ph: +91 11 26198856 Ext 385, Mob: +91 9818598565 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] , [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5, 50, 500, 5000 - Store N number of mails in your inbox. Go to http://help.yahoo.com/l/in/yahoo/mail/yahoomail/tools/tools-08.html ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
