[Assam] An open letter to the Prime Minister
Chan Mahanta
cmahanta at gmail.com
Thu Aug 12 20:52:31 IST 2010
Welcome back, Satyakam.
First, let us not forget the ancient wisdom of 'Do as I do', not 'Do as I say'.
Why I cite that is because of your admonitions against the mud-slinging and name calling
and your own indulging in exactly that.
So, if I had to follow YOUR example, I will be in trouble, won't I?
Anyway, we will let that pass. Everyone has to go thru that learning period for starters,
even though , hopefully it will never cease.
Now back to the issue in point: Why is it that every ethnic group, in India
(not just in Assam now -- Jharkhand, Uttaranchal, Chattisgarh) wants to have their own state ?
KJD and DD touched on some points. They are, truly the SYMPTOMS that they cited. They are not
the CAUSES. Causes are yet to be discovered :-). What do YOU think are the CAUSES?
Will you share your thoughts ?
cm
On Aug 12, 2010, at 10:07 AM, Satyakam Dutta wrote:
> Well, when I rejoined Assamnet, a few days back, I had the epitome of
> expectations that finally I will be joining an online group which has
> achieved a heritage status in the brains of people. But I find it funnier
> than ever before. I am very young, as compared to the grand old people in
> this group, but still can be courageous (baghor-aag-tel-khuwa) enough to
> comment that Assamese people (indegenous, pseudo-indegenous, NRAs,
> intellectuals, pseudo-intellectuals, blacks, browns, pseudo-whites,
> orientals, more-orientals etc) would never stop from pulling each other down
> (The Crab Mentality). Be it be, HBS vs. AG in Assam or ABC vs. XYZ in the
> trailing mail below, we are all crabs. Lachit must have
> baghor-aag-tel-khaisile.
>
> However, it is good pass time for me nowadays, having left all hopes of any
> constructive opinion formation through this group, for long term decision
> making process regarding our motherland. Do you still call Assam your
> motherland? Its a travesty that your children will have your Adopted
> Motherland as their motherland and your identity which you have preserved in
> form of a gamocha in your xophura, will be put to coffin along with you.
> [Here *You* stands of pseudo-NRAs (and not NRAs, many are simple awesome)
> who have left their motherland for greener pastures, only to be vocal in
> Internet forums, yahoogroups etc about Xunor Axom, since the birth of
> ARPANET, without having any significant time defining event up their kitty.
> Those who have done something and have made all of us proud, please excuse
> yourself from this 'You']
>
> It is a priviledge to be a part of this old group, sincerely, but seriously
> I would wish less of mud-slinging. Otherwise poor souls like us whose dreams
> get shattered once they get the funny emails from this group, would no
> longer feel priviledged to be a part of it.
>
> An insignificant Assamese,
> with a promise to participate only when things become less funny,
> Satyakam
>
> On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 7:54 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> On Aug 12, 2010, at 9:16 AM, Satyakam Dutta wrote:
>>
>>> So.. What is stopping you?
>>
>>
>>
>> **** I am not sure the name is familiar. But if you have been in assamnet
>> for some time,
>> you must have seen who does most of the lifting here. So give me a break,
>> and put in
>> your fair share , would ya ? Trust me, it won't hurt. And if you go off on
>> a tangent,
>> nobody will make fun of or jeer at you. On second though--make that 'most
>> won't :-)' . But
>> if somebody does, it will be mere sticks and stones---! I am sure you could
>> handle that.
>>
>> Shall we ?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Aug 12, 2010 at 7:43 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> My, oh my, Kamal.
>>>>
>>>> Your note threw me into a tailspin. For a few moments, I was afraid I
>> might
>>>> have died and was
>>>> reading an eulogy, replete with exaggerated and undeserving praises
>> usually
>>>> reserved for
>>>> the dear departed.
>>>>
>>>> Then I pinched myself, and feeling the hurt, I realized I am alive and
>>>> kicking. So what's the deal, I wondered.
>>>> That led me to discount the praises for your usual hyperbole :-) and
>> check
>>>> where that left it. It still was
>>>> humbling, to say the least. But I accept it, again very humbly. You have
>>>> been overly kind.
>>>>
>>>> Now I have to strive to live up to the accolades. I knew there had to be
>> a
>>>> catch :-).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Well,in case of Assam,local politicians are involved to a great extent
>>>>> in the act of politicisation of the ethnic issue in the state in order
>>>>> to fulfill their hidden selfish interest.These indigenous politics try
>>>>> to ginger up people's sentiment by giving the idea that as a
>>>>> culture-bearing group,the indigenous people should have their own
>>>>> state which can only ensure preservation of their cultural identity.In
>>>>> most cases,these Movements are power-oriented.
>>>>>
>>>>> The rural people in Assam,regardless of their ethnic identities,are
>>>>> simple and straight in thought and deed.Therefore,in most cases,they
>>>>> fail to understand the real motive of the political leaders.In this
>>>>> situation,it becomes very easy for a deceitful and control freak
>>>>> leader to be active in the folds of ' Political Man' or as an '
>>>>> Economic Man' to satisfy his selfish interest without the fear of
>>>>> being detected.Simply stated,these self-seeking politicians are using
>>>>> 'ethnicity'as smoke and screen to better themselves.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> **** You ( and Dilip, with his concurrence) have touched on one layer of
>>>> the causes. But it is
>>>> an upper layer. We need to dig even deeper to get to the bottom of the
>>>> issues. So, before *I*
>>>> attempt to 'splain things, allow me to ask you ALL, once again, to give
>> it
>>>> another try, and
>>>> see if you would not mind getting dirty with the real dirt on the
>> matter. I
>>>> realize there is a
>>>> degree of reluctance to dig deeper for certain reasons :-), but if we
>> don't
>>>> uncover and acknowledge
>>>> these simple realities, how shall we ever place our fingers on the
>> problems
>>>> and hopefully kick
>>>> around solution possibilities ?
>>>>
>>>> I am sure we can agree that shedding e-tears alone over the state of
>>>> affairs is not enough.
>>>>
>>>> If not us, WHO?
>>>>
>>>> So, go get 'em tigers! Kharkhowas we might be, but we can also be
>> baaghor
>>>> -aag-tel-khowa,
>>>> if we wish to be :-).
>>>>
>>>> c-da
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Aug 11, 2010, at 7:44 PM, kamal deka wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Well,in case of Assam,local politicians are involved to a great extent
>>>>> in the act of politicisation of the ethnic issue in the state in order
>>>>> to fulfill their hidden selfish interest.These indigenous politics try
>>>>> to ginger up people's sentiment by giving the idea that as a
>>>>> culture-bearing group,the indigenous people should have their own
>>>>> state which can only ensure preservation of their cultural identity.In
>>>>> most cases,these Movements are power-oriented.
>>>>>
>>>>> The rural people in Assam,regardless of their ethnic identities,are
>>>>> simple and straight in thought and deed.Therefore,in most cases,they
>>>>> fail to understand the real motive of the political leaders.In this
>>>>> situation,it becomes very easy for a deceitful and control freak
>>>>> leader to be active in the folds of ' Political Man' or as an '
>>>>> Economic Man' to satisfy his selfish interest without the fear of
>>>>> being detected.Simply stated,these self-seeking politicians are using
>>>>> 'ethnicity'as smoke and screen to better themselves.
>>>>>
>>>>> HAVING SAID SO,I SEE VERY FEW PEOPLE WHOSE VISION,WIT AND INSIGHT ARE
>>>>> AS EXTRAORDINARILY REFRESHING AS YOURS'-- THAT CERTAINLY HAS THE
>>>>> ABILITY TO EGG ON PEOPLE LIKE US TO THINK INTELLECTUALLY.YOU
>>>>> ILLUMINATE THINGS WITH GRACE,ASPERITY AND REMARKABLE PRECISION,REALLY.
>>>>> PLEASE SULK NO MORE TO TELL US BY GETTING DOWN TO BRASS TRACK THE
>>>>> CAUSES OF FISSIPEROUS TENDENCIES AMONG DIFFERENT ETHNIC COMMUNITIES OF
>>>>> ASSAM FOR WHICH,IN THIS NET,YOU WILL RULE THE ROOST.
>>>>>
>>>>> KJD.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 3:53 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> O'-K,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Eh, kaarw gaat loga nai diya. I just wanted to point out the absence
>> of
>>>> thought behind the piece.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Having said that, why don't YOU tell us reasons behind the demand for
>>>> the ever increasing
>>>>>> number of states, what the causes at the root of the phenomenon is?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That would be useful. I know there are many amongst us who are quite
>>>> oblivious of them. I like
>>>>>> to think you are not one of them :-).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It twmar,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So-K
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Aug 11, 2010, at 3:30 PM, kamal deka wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I offer my unconditional apology for whipping up a controversy that
>>>>>>> was uncalled for.I put out the piece in the Net just to give a funny
>>>>>>> touch.I can assure all of you---the letter writer did not aim to
>>>>>>> cause deep hurt to any one, even though the letter seems to contain a
>>>>>>> semblance of unspoken truth.After all,many a truth are said in
>>>>>>> jest--sometimes of course.
>>>>>>> KJD
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 9:29 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> There is nothing amusing about this mindless piece of tripe. Should
>>>> our letter writer
>>>>>>>> have had the desire or the wherewithal to inquire about the REASONS
>>>> why everyone
>>>>>>>> wants a state of his own, then he would not have had the reason to
>>>> write this piece.
>>>>>>>> Furthermore, HAD the editorial ranks of the rag had any clue about
>> it
>>>> themselves,
>>>>>>>> they would not have found it worthy to publish it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Last but not the least, I am terribly surprised that you Kamal,
>> being
>>>> one of the rare few
>>>>>>>> amongst us who has the ability to analyze things enough and the
>>>> integrity ( even if only
>>>>>>>> every now and then), to acknowledge the real reasons for the state
>> of
>>>> affairs in India,
>>>>>>>> found this piece worthy enough to circulate as something meaningful
>> or
>>>> noteworthy.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> cm
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Aug 10, 2010, at 7:07 PM, kamal deka wrote:
>>>>>>>> e
>>>>>>>>> In response to ABSU's recent demand for a separate Bodoland,An
>>>>>>>>> Assamese kharkhowa,inhabitant of Baksa district,wrote a letter
>>>>>>>>> addressed to the PM demanding a separate state for himself.Read and
>>>>>>>>> enjoy.
>>>>>>>>> KJD
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dear Mr Prime Minister,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I am 30 years old, fat, educated and I want my own state. To
>> achieve
>>>>>>>>> this objective I have decided to proceed on a fast immediately...
>>>>>>>>> after my next " masor tenga meal", that is. (Considering my body
>> mass
>>>> index and
>>>>>>>>> fondness for trans fats, I have deemed this the most apt way to
>>>>>>>>> protest.)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I now intend to break bread only after my 2-bedroom flat in Baksa
>>>>>>>>> district,the heartland of Bodos, is
>>>>>>>>> declared a state. The state will be known as Kalita Pradesh and its
>>>>>>>>> capital will be Kalita nagar -- which is what I will name my living
>>>>>>>>> room. The official language will be heavily accented English spoken
>>>>>>>>> with a lisp.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I have decided to go in for this drastic move after discrimination
>>>>>>>>> against me based on my language, appearance, superior intellect and
>>>>>>>>> personal hygiene. I request you to consider my case vis-a-vis
>> ABSU's
>>>>>>>>> demand for a state exclusively for the Bodos.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> My state abounds in man-made and (cow-made) resources, including
>>>>>>>>> manure from my potted plants and state-of-the-art sanitary
>> fittings.
>>>> I
>>>>>>>>> intend to stand for CM and am confident that the residents -- my
>>>> wife,
>>>>>>>>> my dog and the affectionate house mosquitoes -- will cast their
>> vote
>>>>>>>>> in my favour.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Mr Prime Minster, I appeal to you to consider my case at the
>>>> earliest.
>>>>>>>>> After Bodoland,Kalita Pradesh would become India's 30th state (if
>>>>>>>>> Gorkhaland, Bundelkhand, Harit Pradesh etc don't beat me to it).
>>>>>>>>> Thirty is such a nice, round number, don't you think? Since you are
>>>>>>>>> handing states around, why not add one more?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> While we are at it, let me bring to your notice that my pan-wala,
>> my
>>>>>>>>> dhobi and a rather irritable bull who sleeps on the middle of a
>>>>>>>>> neighbouring road, all want their own states. They all allege
>>>>>>>>> discrimination and are all threatening to go on fast.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I appeal to you sir, let's break up this beautiful state,known as
>>>>>>>>> Assam since time immemorial, at the earliest.
>>>>>>>>> Words like unity has slipped into obsolescence. Why learn from the
>>>> West.
>>>>>>>>> We don't care about Germany uniting or half of Europe becoming
>>>>>>>>> European Union. After all, we are the smartest race in the world.
>>>> Let's
>>>>>>>>> have a new slogan: Be a Bodo,Kalita or Ahom first and break Assam
>>>> into pieces.
>>>>>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>>>>>> Biplob Kalita.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> assam mailing list
>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> assam mailing list
>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> assam mailing list
>> assam at assamnet.org
>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> assam mailing list
> assam at assamnet.org
> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
More information about the assam
mailing list