[Assam] From Waterwatch

[Rajen Barua]

Ram: 
That is a great Report on Assam and it shows clearly how Assam is lagging more and more compared to the other states.
As you know recently we published the Report done by an NGO from Delhi which highlights the causes for this lag. 
One of the issues they cited was that there is a general apathy among the political leaders including those in opposition even to address these issues which is so true if you observe the election campaign that is going on.
Against this ongoing reality, Tarun Gogoi is lecturing that they will build a new Assam, they will get rid of illegel immigrants, and people are listening.
Against this ongoing reality, no opposition parties even addressing this economic situation in Assam. They are too busy in distributing the tickets and take advantage of the chaos to make money, and the people are listening.

And look at this. The following is what is included in the History of Assam in the report:
>'Assam' is the anglicized form of the word 'Asom' which means 'uneven' or 'unparalleled'. According to another interpretation, the word 'Assam' is derived 

> from the word 'Ahom'.

As a matter of fact, the above is complete nonsense. The word Assam is neither an anglicized form of the word Asom, nor Assam is derived from Ahom.

I think Assam is going senile. It can no longer remember its past, it no longer knows its own history.

Rajen Barua. 

 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ram Sarangapani 
  To: Chan Mahanta 
  Cc: Rajen Barua ; assam at assamnet.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 4:57 PM
  Subject: Re: [Assam] From Waterwatch


  C'da,
  >*** Why don't YOU give your analysis as to why and how >Karnataka is doing better than Assam, Ram.

  I will try.

  But here is a comprehensive link on Assam's development and also some research projects in Karnataka that highlight development in the state.

  The link on Assam is a good one, and not just for this particular 
  Q &A here. Those interested in knowing where Assam stands now and why there has been a lacklustre development in Assam might want to read a complete analyses.(in MS Word and PDF)

  Assam:
  http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/sdr_assam/sp_sdrassam.htm

  Karnataka
  http://www.isec.ac.in/projects.htm
   
  Orissa
  http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/sdr_orissa/sp_sdrorisa.htm
   
  >And we will get into HOW it has anything to do with Assam's >sovereignty aspirations

  You don't mean those aspirations in Assam are universal? :)

  --Ram


  On 3/21/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote: 

     
    *** Why don't YOU give your analysis as to why and how Karnataka is doing better than Assam, Ram.

     
    And we will get into HOW it has anything to do with Assam's sovereignty aspirations.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    At 4:21 PM -0600 3/21/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
      C'da,

      >These kind of explanations are little more than thinly disguised >attempts to absolve India of its CONTROLs and to legitimize its >colonial ownership of the resources and the land of the people who >call it home. 


      You are just rehashing an old argument here. The question one may ponder is, how is it that a 'corrupt' state like Karnataka is more developed than say Assam?
      Is it because the Center has given more to the southern states?
      They get preferential treatment, what?.

      Or is it because our representatives go to New Delhi and basically keep their seats warm? Or they just don't care?

      If the Center is bad or there is mal-governance, all states are affected. Somehow, some states are able to deal with it better than others.
      A good example is UP and MP (and Bihar too). Both these states get the lion's share of allocations from the Center. Yet, due to corruption and politicians are more interested in lining their pockets than development for their states, they are way behind in the national scale. 

      So, its not just a matter of resource allocation. Its a question of voters asking and demanding the right things from their representatives.
      --Ram

       
      On 3/21/06, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:

        Allow me to put it more succinctly:

         
        "It is our OWN DAMN FAULT. And we deserve it!"

         
        Right?

         
        WRONG!

         
        These kind of explanations are little more than thinly disguised attempts to absolve India of its CONTROLs and to legitimize its colonial ownership of the resources and the land of the people who call it home. 

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         
        At 3:15 PM -0600 3/21/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:

          >Why we don't care?



          Thats a good question.

          People may not care for a number of reasons. But the foremost must be be the general attitude.

          In Assam, we cannot say people do not 'demand' to get things done.

          But over the years we have seen that many of the issues we demand are related to 'identity' or some such thing. Identity is an important factor, and I am not saying we shouldn't seek to protect it. 

          However, we don't 'demand' with the same gusto and spirit on other issues.

          Examples:

          Why has there been no agitation for 100% electricity in our villages? Or for clean water? Or why has there been no agitation for a comprhensive long-term flood control plan? Why do we wait every year after the flood to tell the govt. 

          Why hasn't the whole state (before elections) demanded that xyz industry or manufacturing be setup in Assam?



          We never do. Maybe the priorities are different.Our politicians have no fear of not being re-elected. They know, they have to canvas for few months before elections, bribe their way thru, and once elected, they need not look back, ever. 

          --Ram



     

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