[Assam] AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF ASSAM

Tue Aug 14 09:05:06 PDT 2007

I did not say anything is WRONG with flag waving, did I Ram? However 
most intellectually able people do not hold it in high esteem. Anyone 
can do it. Just like wearing ones patriotism on one's shirtsleeves. 
That is why thoughtful people also do not give any importance to such 
demonstration, in fact some very well thought of people have called 
the pursuit the 'first resort of a scoundrel' or 'the last refuge of 
a scoundrel'.

I merely explained that it is meaningless , without anything 
constructive in it, as far as I am concerned. Like HG Wells said.

Why my opinion ? That is because Thakuria was kind enough to inform 
me of their effort with the appeal, no doubt something they believe 
is useful or constructive or beneficial for Assam.

See my post from 2002 on the topic I am forwarding next.

>Why? Is there a sudden dearth of supporters, that you would urge 
>Thakuria & Co. to carry water for such causes?

*** Why don't YOU take a wild guess? But considering the question I 
guess that would not be all that useful, so allow me to help out:

	Because that is the role of the press in a democracy.

But I realize, desi-demokrasy and the Assam press' role in it does 
not necessarily reflect that.

c-da

At 9:34 AM -0600 8/14/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>C'da,
>
>As this is a public forum, thought I would weigh in too.
>
>I really do not see anything wrong with some people  wanting to and 
>encouraging others to celebrate the Independence Day by hoisting the 
>National Flag.
>
>It may irk some that there are many Assamese who actually want to 
>celebrate in such a fashion. That is understandible.
>
>What is so wrong that some people are willing to celebrate as they 
>wish, instead of staying home for fear of violence? All they want to 
>do is peacefully celebrate the Independence that they cherish - but 
>of course, only if others will let them!
>
>  >It seems to me that a far more useful activity for those of you 
>who are able, would >be to analyze, inform and educate the people 
>about how such things as an >armed insurgency came about from 
>popular discontent brewing over decades  in >Assam
>
>Why? Is there a sudden dearth of supporters, that you would urge 
>Thakuria & Co. to carry water for such causes? And who decides what 
>activities are useful and which ones are not?
>
>--Ram
>
>I
>
>
>On 8/14/07, Chan Mahanta 
><<mailto:cmahanta at charter.net>cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>Greetings Thakuria.
>
>
>I hope you are carrying the torch of Oxomiya journalism high and 
>bright in the international  field as Assam's representative.
>
>
>Thanks for sharing the appeal.  Even though I don't, as a rule, 
>indulge in 'flag-waving'  of any kind and think of the pursuit in 
>the same vein as how HG Wells viewed 'patriotism': " A mere national 
>self-assertion, a sentimentality of flag cheering, with no 
>constructive duties", I felt I owed a response since you were kind 
>enough to send me a personal copy.
>
>
>It seems to me that a far more useful activity for those of you who 
>are able, would be to analyze, inform and educate the people  about 
>how such things as an armed insurgency came about from popular 
>discontent brewing over decades  in Assam and has not subsided in 
>spite of tens of thousands of Assamese lives taken and given by and 
>to Indian military operations spanning a quarter century; what the 
>much touted 'democratic' governments, past and present have done  ( 
>or not done) to eradicate the causes of such discontent and how to 
>hold what you all present to the world, by default, as the 
>'legitimate'  government accountable; offer achievable and 
>sustainable solutions  instead of merely crying hoarse without 
>anything to contribute.
>
>
>And if you are unable to that yourself, go seek out those who can 
>and make use of  collective wisdom of the people who call Assam 
>home, and help giving it the exposure from which the people can 
>learn and act to change things for the better.
>
>
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>
>That would be something meaningful.
>
>
>Best.
>
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>cm
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>At 6:22 AM +0000 8/12/07, Nava Thakuria wrote:
>
>>AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
>>
>>
>>
>>We, the undersigned urge the people of Assam to
>>celebrate the 60th anniversary of our Independence Day
>>on August 15 in a befitting manner ignoring the
>>threats that have come from certain quarters.
>>
>>We believe that we, the people of the State have every
>>right to celebrate the Day, as we have inherited the
>>spirit of the freedom fighters who had made immense
>>sacrifices and a good number of whom, like Kushal
>>Konwar and Kanaklata, had even laid down their lives
>>to free the country from the clutches of colonial
>>rulers. The Independence Day this time has added
>>significance as it coincides with the birth centenary
>>celebrations of martyr Bhagat Singh.
>>
>>We therefore, call upon the people of the State to
>>hoist the National Tricolour on the Day atop their
>>houses and also to organize community celebrations in
>>their respective localities.
>>
>>On the Day, we will also hoist the National Flag on
>>the Guwahati Press Club campus at 11a.m. So, it's our
>>appeal to the people to join the programme and make it
>>a success.
>>
>>Nirupama Borgohain,
>>
>>Dhirendra Nath Bezboruah
>>
>>Dhirendra Nath Chakravarty,
>>
>>Sushanta Talukdar,
>>
>>Bhupen Bargohain
>>
>>Ajit Patowary
>>
>>Rupam Baruah,
>>
>>Nava Thakuria,
>>
>>Ranen Kumar Goswami,
>>
>>Hiten Mahanta
>>
>>Ratna Bharali Talukdar
>>
>>Sabita Lahkar
>>
>>Girindra Kumar Karjee
>>
>>Mukul Kalita
>>
>>Dhanjit Kakoti
>>
>>Pramod Kalita
>>
>
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