[Assam] Acute inferiorty complex IC
Rajen Barua
barua25 at hotmail.com
Mon Mar 13 15:23:44 PST 2006
Now with those questions, you are getting to the real meat of Buddhism.
Believe it or not a true Buddhist cannot say very strongly that he is a Buddhist.
Because Buddhism is actually a religion of non beliefs.
So I can say what I am not if you ask specifc questions about my beliefs.
Normally I would like to say that I donot belong to any religion because most religion will tell you what to believe.
But if someone insist I would say I belong to Buddhism 'of my belief' which is non belief actually.
So if someone ask me the question if I am Buddhist I might say yes or no depending on who is asking the question and how do I feel to answer at that moment.
Because if I say, yes, the person may have certain opinion about me which may be entirely wrong.
So I say things differently depending on 'sthan-kal-patro'.
I may claim to be Buddhist but actually maynot approve what other Buddhist are doing and believing.
As I said Buddhism is a religion of non-belief and non conformance actually.
Or with Buddhism you can custom make your belief system.
If someone ask me, am I a Hindu? Then the question will come what is the definition of a Hindu.
Then it will say well you have to believe this and that and do this and that.
Well that is enough for me not to belong to Hindusim or Christianity or any other religion.
Many Hindus actually remain a Hindu although he may not believe any of the Hindu stuff.
he remain a Hindu politically ie he is a Hindu because his father was a Hindu.
I donot want to be in a religion politically.
I hope the above will help or confuse you a bit I think.
I think if we want to discuss beyond that we better go offline so that the net is not bored.
RB
----- Original Message -----
From: Ram Sarangapani
To: Rajen Barua
Cc: Chan Mahanta ; assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Assam] Acute inferiorty complex IC
Dear Barua,
>You cannot offend a Buddhist. So don't worry.
Well, I was a bit worried. After all we really don't want to upset a Buddhist.
>When this is, that is.
>This arising, that arises
>When this is not, that is not
>This ceasing, that ceases.
Now, that went right over my head. Didn't understand head or tail there.
But its my fault - should have known it was coming.
>You cannot offend a Buddhist
So, you are a Buddhist. Good to know. I have all the respect for Buddhists. Great religion.
Came from Hinduism, I think - how could it be bad?
But I am confused, and maybe you can help me out here:
A couple of years ago, you vehemently claimed that you were NOT a Buddhist
right here on the Assamnet (when I thought you were, the topic was Hinduism).
(I can actually fish it out - it will take some time though).
And now, as I was thinking you are a Hindu, you claim to be a Buddhist.
But I can't blame you for wavering - after all it was a different topic, and a differnt time.
No, no, you don't have to tell us your religion. That I believe is your business as it should be.
All I wanted to know is if this Buddhist faith (since you obviously know more about it)
will let someone like me get in (or out) depending on whats being discussed on Assamnet
or for that matter with the changing weather we have in Houston?
If this is so, then thats the religion for me. I love it. Where do I sign up? I wish all other religions were that open. :)
Take care,
--Ram
On 3/13/06, Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>That Buddhist reference didn't offend you, did it?
You cannot offend a Buddhist. So don't worry.
Because as I said, a Buddhist believes that:
When this is, that is.
This arising, that arises
When this is not, that is not
This ceasing, that ceases.
RB
----- Original Message -----
From: Ram Sarangapani
To: Rajen Barua
Cc: Chan Mahanta ; assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 2:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Assam] Acute inferiorty complex IC
>Looks like you were really hurt, Uh!!
>Sorry about that.
>It is actually a Buddhist trick to extract things from your mind, used very sparingly though.
>Take it easy.
>Barua
And someday you must teach all of us your vast Buddhist knowledge and (Buddhist rope-trick).
As usual, pease continue to think of us as clueless.
And you got me. Now, you know exactly how my mind works and now I am at a loss - can't think straight!
>This is the most out@#$% ^&* charge I have ever seen made aginst all my discussion.
>Ram: This is simply ridiculous. I even don't know what you are trying to mean here.
That Buddhist reference didn't offend you, did it? Sorry about that, but my suggestion: just reach into
that vast Buddhist resource you have, and thou shall find the answer and maybe even enlightenment!
--Ram
On 3/13/06, Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com > wrote:
>And is it MORE riduculous than what you charged with - ie disrespecting Himen da?
Looks like you were really hurt, Uh!!
Sorry about that.
It is actually a Buddhist trick to extract things from your mind, used very sparingly though.
Take it easy.
Barua
----- Original Message -----
From: Ram Sarangapani
To: Barua25
Cc: Chan Mahanta ; assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 1:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Assam] Acute inferiorty complex IC
>This is the most out@#$% ^&* charge I have ever seen made aginst all my discussion.
>Ram: This is simply ridiculous. I even don't know what you are trying to mean here.
And is it MORE riduculous than what you charged with - ie disrespecting Himen da?
>But thanks anyway for me know your mind.
>May be we forced this out from you.
>You see how efficient is this net.
C'da is right - you are on a roll these days.
Now you know my mind, Himen da's and probably others too.
>"We forced this!" Huh!
Yeah - it all came gushing out.
>I intentionally did not tabulate the other charge
>made against Chandan which I am sure he will handle from his side.
Actually most were directed toward you. So, please feel free to tabulate them as you please.
I am on pins & needles out here.
--Ram
On 3/13/06, Barua25 <barua25 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>That is fine. But there is big difference here. I sense (could be wrong) what Barua is wanting to prove:
>In short - Pali (read Buddhism) - ....... Assamese
This is the most out@#$% ^&* charge I have ever seen made aginst all my discussion.
Ram: This is simply ridiculous. I even don't know what you are trying to mean here.
Pali (read Buddhism) - ....... Assamese ???
But thanks anyway for me know your mind.
May be we forced this out from you.
You see how efficient is this net.
Heh!!!
But please do explain what you are trying to explain here by the above.
Was it because I threw the word 'Pali' recently in one of my emails about Assamese?
Or was it because I am a Buddhism loving agnostic (like Bretrand Russell)?
But what that has to do with your >Pali (read Buddhism) - ...... Assamese ???
That will be interesting to know what is going on inside people's mind.
I intentionally did not tabulate the other charge made against Chandan which I am sure he will handle from his side.
Barua
----- Original Message -----
From: Ram Sarangapani
To: Chan Mahanta
Cc: assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2006 9:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Assam] Acute inferiorty complex IC
C'da,
>*** Ooh! I can sense some hurt feelings here. But Ram, Rajen WAS right. You spoke for Himendra Thakur, who pulled the rug right out from under your feet to save his own skin :).
Hurt? No. But I was singularly struck by self-righteous. Is there a rule in Assamnet that one cannot pass comments on a ongoing discussion?
What if my comments looked like supporting you or Barua? Would that have been OK?
And what is this about "disrespect"? Whether I spoke for or against Himen da is of absolutely no consequence here.
When I wrote what I wrote, I did not think of Himen da or others. I wrote what I thought was valid - and WITHOUT an AGENDA.
>I do NOT believe the Oxomiya bhaxa was a progeny of Sanskrit. Even without Rajen's very well written arguments I would not have believed that. But Rajen's arguments, the best I >have seen thus far, has removed any doubt I may have admitted to.
That is fine. But there is big difference here. I sense (could be wrong) what Barua is wanting to prove:
In short - Pali (read Buddhism) - ...... Assamese
In your case, Pali .(no Indian influence)...... Assamese (Independent Assam)
I pay little attention to proofs that have predetermined paths. In fact, today, I came across a number of articles etc which indicate it was Sanskrit. But it doesn't matter. If it makes you and Barua happy that Assamese landed from heaven - so be it
>I love his incisive inquisitiveness that has suddenly come to life :-)), what are you who dread the lungi-menace are doing about it, or think ought to be done about it, by WHOM, >and WHY is it NOT being done by those who are responsible, have the authority and the resources?
Yeah right. A few more of these incisive inquistiveness, and I was about to convert to Buddhism. And about the "Lungi Menace" you keep referring, I had already indicated - I doesn't matter if the illegals are hordes of brahmins coming across. The fact is they are "ILLEGALS" and that if why they must be deported.
Will this problem be stemmed? - not a ghost of a chance -and whether Assam is Independent or not. The illegal B'deshi have lots of friends in Assam and other places.
>And to be cruelly forthright, YES, those who harbor the notion that the Oxomiya bhaxa was sired by Sanskrit ought to be dismissed, marginalized and given no 'prosroy' what-so->ever :-).
And absolutely so - even if they have some proof. After all who cares for any of that - all we need is to set a goalpost and we can chart the course easily.
More later.
--Ram
On 3/12/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net > wrote:
Hi Ram:
At 12:45 PM -0600 3/12/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
Hi C'da,
At the risk of violating exclusivity rights as claimed by some, I will attempt to answer your questions.
*** Ooh! I can sense some hurt feelings here. But Ram, Rajen WAS right. You spoke for Himendra Thakur, who pulled the rug right out from under your feet to save his own skin :).
> but I hope that responsibility has NOT ONLY been bestowed on a few select people, who
>are claiming that "There is an Indian Invasion".
*** Hey, why worry about them self-appointed 'select few'? Tell us what YOU want, how YOU see things.
>Are they to be marginalized and ignored just because some NRAs thought Assamese has not come >from Sanskrit?
*** Are you asking me that question Ram with a hope for an answer to help you out or was it a rhetorical question? But, betting against the odds that you DID ask for MY answer, here it is: NO Ram. I do NOT believe the Oxomiya bhaxa was a progeny of Sanskrit. Even without Rajen's very well written arguments I would not have believed that. But Rajen's arguments, the best I have seen thus far, has removed any doubt I may have admitted to.
And to be cruelly forthright, YES, those who harbor the notion that the Oxomiya
bhaxa was sired by Sanskrit ought to be dismissed, marginalized and given no 'prosroy' what-so-ever :-).
> IMHO, B'deshi illegal influx is a bigger threat to the very existence of Assam.
*** I read you loud and clear on that Ram. And you have company with HT. But I beg to differ. And I am certain , I too have company. But the big question remains, as aptly asked by Rajen ( he has been on a roll--I love his incisive inquisitiveness that has suddenly come to life :-)), what are you who dread the lungi-menace are doing about it, or think ought to be done about it, by WHOM, and WHY is it NOT being done by those who are responsible, have the authority and the resources? What do you all propose to do about holding those who are derelict in their duties? And pray HOW?
I hope you will consider the questions seriously and like the objective and courageous person I like to think you are, ( as opposed to those who run like the devil and attempt to hide from them) will share your ideas about resolving it :-).
>"Assamese people have inferiority complex because they choose to Sanskritize ---- blah, blah" its just flabbergasting. I don't understand what IC has to do with any of this.
>Suddenly Assamnet is full of psychologists, socialogists and lingusitic experts who know >exactly why, how and where the language development should go.
*** I will give you a SOME support on that. As I said, I am not buying the IC thingie in its entirety. But there is truth to the perception that certain children of important gods, the keepers of all knowledge by divine rights, do have a soft corner for Sanskrit, some overtly and others covertly. Will you dispute that Ram :-)?
BTW, Tilok Daktor may take umbrage over your hostility to mind readers and shrinks, regardless of whether they have always been around in assam-net, or have suddenly appeared from nowhere, a-la 'boiboswa Manu' :-).
> don't claim or give an impression that I am the resident expert here by any means.
*** No such disclaimers are need Ram.. We have an idea who do know a thing or two about it, who don't, and who plead no-comprendo, if not hide, when challenged :-).
>But those who do so, need to be aware that they would need to defend their arguments more >ardently,
MORE? Geez Ram! Any more will have to be a blood-bath. I would submit these have been about as passionate as they could be without resorting to fisticuffs like in the Korean Parliament.
>If the Assamnet is a an open forum, then people ought not to have problems with anyone with >opposing views.
*** Hey, why are you threatening ME with such stuff :-)? Didn't I come to your defense? But Rajen DID have a point about YOUR speaking for HT.
>I take a very dim view of those who cloak their frustrations (inability to respond to tough >questions)
*** Really? WHAT was the tough question Ram? Did I miss it ?
>If the net is NOT open, then as I said before, this ain't the place for me.
*** Now, now Ram! Let us not wear that halo of victim-hood without a good reason. Imagine what will happen to the net when you and I shut up! Do you really want to see that happen? It is our god(?)-given duty to keep the 'tunh-jui' going Ram. Can't let you go on flimsy grounds. People like you or I cannot claim 'hurt-feelings'. Our feelings have long been deadened, or so I thought, haven't they :-)?
Take care.
c-da
>*** Your argument does not hold any water because you ignore CONTEXT. The context of these discussions and debates have been Assam's >attempts at preserving its unique ethnic, cultural and linguistic traditions and asserting them to stave off an invasion by Indian --read Hindi/Hindu >-- forces
Preserving Assam's unique language, culture, linguistic traditions are great, but I hope that responsibility has NOT ONLY been bestowed on a few select people, who are claiming that "There is an Indian Invasion".
What about those who DON'T think that way? Are they NOT people who are thinking of "Preserving Assam's unique language, culture, linguistic traditions "?
Are they to be marginalized and ignored just because some NRAs thought Assamese has not come from Sanskrit?
>I know Himen-da, Alpana, yourself and others would like to suggest it is B'deshi immigrants and not Indian influences
Don't know what others think. IMHO, B'deshi illegal influx is a bigger threat to the very existence of Assam. You and others may not choose to believe so, and may think the bigger threat is INDIA. But its a different topic altogether.
Of course Indian (mainland???) does have an influence on Assam, its culture etc. I don't deny that. I am not even sure is its good or bad. Assuming its all bad, what is your solution? As long as Assam remains a part of India, and as long as many Assamese watch Indian movies, tuned to songs, dances from the yonder, I don't see how you are going to solve that. Once Assam become free, maybe, it could be thought along those lines.
Lastly, I do believe that when one starts claiming things like "Assamese people have inferiority complex because they choose to Sanskritize ---- blah, blah" its just flabbergasting. I don't understand what IC has to do with any of this.
Suddenly Assamnet is full of psychologists, socialogists and lingusitic experts who know exactly why, how and where the language development should go.
As for simple me, I am not hung up on X, S or whether Sanskrit came from Assamese or the other way around, or not at all. I don't claim or give an impression that I am the resident expert here by any means.
But those who do so, need to be aware that they would need to defend their arguments more ardently, be less sensitive, and these can well come an from ignoramus like me and not perceive as threats.
If the Assamnet is a an open forum, then people ought not to have problems with anyone with opposing views. I take a very dim view of those who cloak their frustrations (inability to respond to tough questions) by finding some other excuse. If the net is NOT open, then as I said before, this ain't the place for me.
--Ram
On 3/12/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
Hi Ram:
At 11:56 AM -0600 3/11/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
C'da,
I am surprised!
*** Why am I not :-)?
>One could also argue (quite effectively) that trying to do just the opposite is because of >one's own inferiority complex and insecurity.
*** Your argument does not hold any water because you ignore CONTEXT. The context of these discussions and debates have been Assam's attempts at preserving its unique ethnic, cultural and linguistic traditions and asserting them to stave off an invasion by Indian --read Hindi/Hindu -- forces.
If I read correctly, Himen-da too is an advocate of promoting and preserving Assam's ethnic, cultural and linguistic traditions, but hotly disputes the fear of Indian domination and subjugation, just as you and Alpana and others do. In fact Himen-da goes to ridiculous lengths to imply that Assam is India's 'poitrik xompotti' ( ancestral property). But there is a dichotomy here: One cannot tout a need for preserving and asserting those Oxomiya ethnic, cultural and linguistic traditions, unless there is a threat for it from somewhere. I know Himen-da, Alpana, yourself and others would like to suggest it is B'deshi immigrants and not Indian influences, whether intentional ( as in the GoI policy of Indianization) or a fallout of commercial invasion or immigration from other states of people with power, economic as well as governmental. You would argue 'how can there be a threat from India ?' since Assam is a part of India, and Himen-da will assert 'Assam is India--and India is Assam'. But to anyone who is even minimally informed of the realities know that these are highly unpersuasive stances. These are attempts to have it both ways - be it intentional or accidental ( result of not thinking thru the factors carefully enough).
Therefore, under the context, a need to Sanskritize Oxomiya words and phrases
before transliterating them in Roman script can very well be read or interpreted as an attempt to assert India's ancient rights over Assam, one of its defining characteristics, its language, having been given by Indians ( Sanskrit).
And IF a case of the existence of national Oxomiya INFERIORITY COMPLEX can be made, as Himen-da agrees and you do just like Rajen argues, then this need to Sanskritize Oxomiya words indicates an IC on the part of the perpetrators as well.
Above I qualify the IC issue with an IF, because, even though Rajen makes a good case and I agree with some of it, it is a far more complex issue and I don't buy the idea of an Oxomiya IC as the CAUSE of Assam's condition, as is often IMPLIED here in these debates by those who would place all blame for Assam's condition on its feet -- as if it is all Assam's own damn fault --, and give Indian colonialism a free pass; as an argument to DENY legitimacy to Assam's independence aspirations.
c-da :-)
PS to Alpana:
I write 'Sanskrit' because that is what the widely accepted form transliterating
it in English is. It is NOT an Oxomiya word.
>Himenda's attempts to Sanskritize Oxomiya words and phrases, demonstrates his own insecurity and inferiority >complex as an Oxomiya -- driving him to Sanskritized versions of words and phrases. He even writes 'desh', as in >deshotkoi'.
One could also argue (quite effectively) that trying to do just the opposite is because of one's own inferiority complex and insecurity.
If Assamese is being Sankritized, would that be a scary scenario for some? If so, why are they scared? Don't they have the confidence that the language is and always has been strong from these onslaughts?
Look at English. One of the reasons its so popular is because it borrows heavily from many languages (many Indian ones included), and the language is ever evolving with inclusions of even words from American rap music.
So, the question is: Are Americans or the English have doubts that their language will be diluted because the English language resorts to constantly borrowing from Non Anglo-Saxon/Greek/Lantin languages?
My whole take on this is: Its fine for any language to borrow unique ways of writing some words from other languages - that only makes the language richer and becomes inclusive. The option of writing a word like Dex in other forms (des or desh) might indicate that the language is not just inclusive but also has several "accepatble" ways of writing certain words. Isn't that more welcoming to others.
I am no expert in these matters, and could be totally off base - but these are my thoughts for the moment and am willing to change them if I could be convinced. AKN should really weigh in this.
--Ram
On 3/11/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
Very well said Rajen.
BTW, I think the personal statement in his e-mails, Priyankoo's imagination of 'dex', country--as little more than an idea--'dharona', the last part of an address; is poetic and beautiful, as opposed to the commonly used ones as "mother" for example.
Himenda's attempts to Sanskritize Oxomiya words and phrases, demonstrates his own insecurity and inferiority complex as an Oxomiya -- driving him to Sanskritized versions of words and phrases. He even writes 'desh', as in deshotkoi'. Did Lasit Borphukan speak Sanskrit?
I know you said as much. I just wanted to make it clear,lest it is missed; even though it is kind of cruel.
I have some thoughts about the context in which he supposedly uttered the purported quote 'dexotokoi mwmai dangor nohoy', which when I aired last time in assamnet several years back, drew howls of protest from Oxomiyas who accepted the act as one of 'heroism'. Will take that up again when I get a little time. In the meantime, those with tender sensitivities may consider bracing themselves for another round of assaults to their psyches. I am giving fair warning!
c :-)
At 10:16 AM -0600 3/11/06, Barua25 wrote:
Dear Himen-da:
Thanks for your note.
Regarding Assamese having an 'inferiority complex' (written as IC henceforth) I have been saying this for decades now. This is something one can only feel or realize seeing the day to day actions of the Assamese people as a group on national or international level. First we will have to 'recognize the fact that we have this IC. >From my side I can write a essay citing examples of Assamese IC. Now some people may not like to agree with me. To them I will simply ask to either counter my arguments or give me some examples whereby we can say that Assamese are not suffering from IC. However, I don't exactly understand when you say we need to discuss this in the net. What we can achieve by discussing this in the net? And I think we have discussed this issue many times in the net. This is something we can remove by our leaders first by getting rid of this 'IC' themselves and then educating the people by their actions. (Please note that we use the net not to solve problems but just to use it as a 'sounding borad' to test our idea's. >From that angle the net is a very cruel sounding borad. It will hit one back and may hurt if the idea is not sound or true.)
Regarding the slogan "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" I would not like to equate this unnecessarily with Krishna's killing Bhishma simply because it will not serve any purpose unless of course one is trying to make poor Lasit an Assamese Krishna. I think we should not try to defend or justify Lasit more than what he did. Let us leave it a historical fact and let us try to utilize this fact to the advantage of the future of the Assamese. (BTW please note that we try to write ethnic Assamese phonetics in Roman script in the net as opposed to your Sanskritised transliteration writing. So we would write the phrase more like 'dexotkoi mwmai dangor nohoy'. May explain details later. )
Regarding your other slogan "desh matho eta dharana, thikanar shesh shari", all I can say is that so far I know this is a personal statement (a philosophical quote one may say) being used by Priyanku Sarma in the net. Here again please note that Priyanku used the correct Assamese ethnic spelling as : Dex matho eta dharona, thikonar xex xari..., and not what you spelled above. (Thank you Priyanku). Probably if there is anything more to its meaning, Priyanku can respond.
Now coming to the meaning of the word 'dharona ', I think you are trying too hard to find the meaning in Sanskrit grammar book. Please note that this is a simple Assamese word, and many a times, the same word may mean slightly different in Sanskrit than in Assamese. We should try to use the Assamese meaning. From that point, 'dharona' is a simple Assamese word, meaning 'conception' or 'idea' or 'comment' etc. The meaning is clear when we say the Assamese sentence "Ei ghotonatw xomporke twmar ki dharona baru?" Some netters like Alpana and others probably may give you better sentence using the Assamese word 'dharona' Anyhow the full meaning of the Priyanku's quote will be : A country is nothing an idea which is only required to use as a last phrase in one's address. In fact I like this poetic (Omor Khyam type) quote, and I can write volumes in support of this poetic or philosophical statement.
Hope this will make some clarifications. More later.
Thanks
Rajen
----- Original Message -----
From: Himendra Thakur
To: Barua25
Cc: Manoj Das ; J Kalita ; Indrajit Barua ; hthakur at comcast.net ; Ginima Barua ; Dilip/Dil Deka ; Alpana B. Sarangapani ; assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 8:32 AM
Subject: Acute inferiorty complex
Dear Rajen,
Thanks for your letter. The points that you have raised in this letter should definitely be discussed in the net.
But, I think what you so correctly said on March 5, 2006 "Assamese are already suffering from acute inferiorty complex" should be given to PRIORITY in the discussion in the assam-net.
I congratulate you for pointing out this terrible thing "inferiorty complex" and most earnestly request you to run a discussion on this point in the net. I am trying to start this discussion by quoting Lachit's "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" (My uncle is not greater than my country)".
The slogan "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" (My uncle is not greater than my country)" is actually a re-statement of what Lord Shrikrishna stated in Bhagavadgita. Killing of grand-uncle Bhishma at the "Declared Battle of Kurukshetra" was justified by Lord Shrikrishna to establish righteousness. The word "righteousness" is the translation of the word "dharma" of the verses 7&8 Chapter 4 of Bhagavadgita.
When Lachit said "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" (My uncle is not greater than my country)", he was using the word "desha" to mean a Motherland whose defense was our righteous right. What Lachit said at the spur of the moment appears like a "slogan" to us. This may give some answer to the objection of Jugal Kalita [I apologize if I misunderstood him] about slogans.
Another slogan is floating in the net "desh matho eta dharana, thikanar shesh shari" --- I am finding it difficult to translate this into English because the meaning of the word " dharana" is not clear to me. I see "dharana" as the sixth step of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga: (1) Yama, (2)Niyama, (3) Asana, (4) Pranayama, (5) Pratyahara, (6)Dharana, (7) Dhyana, and (8) Samadhi.
The propounder of the slogan "desh matho eta dharana, thikanar shesh shari" should give the meaning of the word "dharana"and explain why "dharana" has been equated with "desha". Correct me if I am wrong, I think the slogans like "desh matho eta dharana, thikanar shesh shari" are generating the acute inferiorty complex" that you pointed out.
The propounder & supporters of the slogan "desh matho eta dharana, thikanar shesh shari" should come forward to compare it with Lachit's "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi".
In my opinion, Lachit's "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" will expel the acute inferiorty complex --- a new, unwanted twist of Assamese mind --- that you so correctly pointed out.
With the best wishes,
Himendra
----- Original Message -----
From: Barua25
To: Himendra Thakur
Cc: hthakur at comcast.net ; Ram Sarangapani ; Manoj Das ; assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 10:52 PM
Subject: Re: deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi
Dear Himenda:
Thanks for your response. Glad to know that the book was a part of your course.
Regarding the historical data of the story, I think you need to have some back up. Because it is such a horrifying story, it may give the people a completely different picture about Islam. The actual reality however may be quite different. The reason I am saying this is because there is also a opposite side of the story. According to one theory, the religion that suffered most during the Islamic invasion was mainly Buddhism. Buddhism was an organised religion without any defense which was completely wiped out. Hinduism survived under the caste system. Many Brhamins helped and aided the Islamic rulers in the destruction of Buddhism. Many Buddhist temples overnite become Shiva temples etc. Also the theory says that there was actually no forced conversion at all from Hindus to Islam. That is why one donot find any high caste Hindus being Muslim. All that conversion that happened were the low caste Hindus and they converted themselves to Islam mainly because of the equality that they gained under Islam and to avoid the exploitation from upper caste Hindus. Today one finds the whole of Bangladesh a Islamic country which were at one time wholly a Buddhist country. There were hardly any Brahmin or any high caste Hindus in Bagladesh. In fact the exploited downtrodden Hindus were taking shelters from exploitation from Hindus upper caste in those three shelter religions: namely Buddhism, Islam and Christianity.
On the other hand I have heard story of enmass village conversion to Islam not by force from Islam but due to rejection from the Hindus. There story appeared in Prantik magazine in Assam, a Brahmin village in Assam was converted to Islam because somebody has thrown beef in the village well, and Hindus have refused to accept the village back as Hindus. The village finally had to take to Islam, The Sharmas started to write Ahmed overnite etc.
So there may be many sides of the coin, and one need to be careful in making any general statement before checking the facts.
Thanks
Rajen
----- Original Message -----
From: Himendra Thakur
To: Rajen Barua
Cc: hthakur at comcast.net ; Ram Sarangapani ; Manoj Das ; assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 6:28 PM
Subject: deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi
Dear Rajen,
Sorry for the delay in replying !
The statement that you referred in your letter below came up in a panel discussion in 1989 at Harvard University where the manuscript of my book "Don't Burn My Mother!" was discussed in a movie script-writing course. (By the way, I got an A in that course ! My added benefit was that I got to see a number of classic movies with commentaries & discussions at the Harvard University Movie Club --- those were a few wonderful months for me !)
Unfortunately, 17 years later now, I don't remember the name of the history scholar who made that statement. It was my fault that I did not follow it up to find it in historical reference or book or article written by any historians. I'll now dig it up and let you know.
Normally, I furnish a word "assumption" before such statements, which you may have noticed in my other writings. IF I miss, please let me know, I'll correct immediately ! All historical facts must be supported by cross-reference, according to the principle of historical studies. I really apologize for missing the word "assumption" before this statement. I thank you for correcting me.
In this connection, I urge the netters to ponder over the ?story? that Lachit beheaded his own uncle for lapse of duty in the Battle of Saraighat and uttered the famous slogan: "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" (My uncle is not greater than my country) --- this statement was boldly etched at the entrance of the Assam Assembly Hall in Shillong when Shillong was the capital of Assam.
Now, I have heard that some people have raised serious objection that this statement cannot be accepted as historical truth due to lack of cross-reference. The netters may throw some light on this.
Throughout my life, I grew up with Lachit's "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" , and it pained me beyond any consolation that I could not include "deshatkoi momai dangar nohoi" in my article ?ATAN BURAGOHAIN SAKO? because some historian would object. However, in spite of all precautions, the idea of ?ATAN BURAGOHAIN SAKO? and the idea of the statue of Swargadev Chakradhwaj Singha were rejected on the grounds that the bridge would encourage garbage dumping, the statue would be a sore thumb, the existing white pillar is an excellent "ABSTRACT" element, the statue of Swargadev Chakradhwaj Singha would be ugly, ?what they did in their time is fine --- we need not build any sako (bridge) or statue to commemorate them? ------ and a hoard of many other "wise" comments.
I request the netters to find out the historical truth about Lachit's "deshatkoi momai dangar nahoi" and advice me if I can include it in a revised version of the article ?ATAN BURAGOHAIN SAKO? .
With the best wishes,
Himendra
----- Original Message -----
From: Rajen Barua
To: Himendra Thakur ; Shantikam Hazarika
Cc: assam at assamnet.org
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2006 10:17 AM
Subject: invasion of Indo-Gangetic plains by Muslims
>On January 29, 2006, I clearly wrote in the net that ?To protect a family during the early period of invasion of Indo-Gangetic plains, if a family of had five >brothers, two would take conversion to Islam to protect the remaining three.
Dear Himen-da:
I just want to ask you one question. Do you have any proof of the above statement?
If yes, can you support with any historical reference or book or article written by any historians?
I never heard such statement from any quarter. So it is very important that we absolutely find the truth
Rajen.
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