[Assam] A chance interaction with Shashi Tharoor

[Ram Sarangapani]

Thank you Barua.

--Ram


On 8/26/07, barua25 <barua25 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>  Good!
> That itself makes another good speech.
> Barua
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Ram Sarangapani <assamrs at gmail.com>
> *To:* ASSAMNET <assam at assamnet.org>
> *Sent:* Sunday, August 26, 2007 4:56 PM
> *Subject:* [Assam] A chance interaction with Shashi Tharoor
>
>
> Yesterday, we had the good fortune to listen to Shashi Tharoor speak. Most
> of us know that Tharoor was formerly a UN undersecrectary, and also ran an
> unsuccessful campaign to win th UN Secy Gen post. He is also the author of a
> number of books The event drew (I would guess) a couple of 1000 people) -
> packed. It was also attended by Congressman Lampson, the Indian Ambassador,
> Sen, the mayor etc etec.
>
> Anyway, Tharoor talked about (excellent speaker) "India's Soft Power in
> the 21st Century World"
>
> He spoke at length of both India's successes and also of its failures, He
> talked about space, of IT, of growth rates, literature, and of the Indian
> spirit, And he also talked about poverty (something like 30-40% below
> poverty level), of the wide disparities within the country. He spoke about
> the "Indian Democracy" and of how there is still the "you cast your vote,
> and vote your cast" - but he mentions how at times the democractic system
> struggles & totters, and yet manages to survive and come out triumphant.
>
> He advocates "Soft Power" (SP)India which India practices very well -
> bothe within & outside the country. He advocates this power of persuassion
> as opposed to arms etc. SP can of course be in many forms - from Bollywood
> to literature, from our engineers to software developers. He mentioned that
> India was like a"Thali dinner". All different, items, some complementary,
> while others not - but they all belonged to the same thali.
>
> I sort of took advantage of the Q & A session, hesitated, but asked him a
> question about Assam & NE.
>
> My question (based on some of the queries we often get in the net here)
> was what kind of Soft Power would Tharoor advocate the central Govt. take
> toward Assam in particular and the NE in general. I referred to the
> insurgency, the lack of development and wanted to know what steps Delhi
> ought to take to make Assam and NE inclusive and share and share equally in
> the overall Indian experiment.
>
> Tharoor, basically responded and told the audience that India's overall
> success also depended on how well the all states were treated and how Delhi
> should take proactive steps to ensure that Assam(NE) is not left out etc.
> etc and that it was important development and growth efforts in Assam be
> given a priority.
>
> He also mentioned that he would be visiting Assam, and that he has had a
> long discussion with the CM, Assam. He seemed genuinely interested and even
> referred to the situation in Assam a couple of times in other discussions.
> Afterwards, I even got a chance of chatting with him for a few minutes.
>
> My reasons were very simplistic in asking the question. I did not expect
> that there would be any overnight change in attitude or perceptions toward
> Assam/NE or that Tharror could do on a personal basis. - but I thought I
> would atleast plant the idea, or notion that Delhi cannot just keep thinking
> that India is just made up of a few states and cities. I wanted to bring
> this up in front of many  American invitees, Ambassador Sen, Consul Gen. of
> India, and others like the mayor etc. Good or bad, I wanted to show that
> Assam/NE is/was being neglected in many ways - and I got to get that message
> about Assam across in the forum.
>
> I have experimented this in a number of other forums too. I often raise
> concerns about Assam and let often let NGOs and others to also pay interest
> to states like Assam. Don't know if this works, but intend to keep trying.
>
> I also DO NOT think those of us interested in Assam ought to just lay back
> and expect others to take interest. Today, there are many people both here
> and in Assam, who are trying to make things happen.
>
> Today, because of the leadership of Hiren da & Usha (Hiren Sarma of
> Houston), the Houston Assamese community was fortunate to be invited to a
> presentation of Pratham USA by Mr. Yogi Patel. Pratham, as some of you know
> is a non-profit organization and focusses on basic education for poor
> children. The organization has done wonderfull things and made huge strides
> in many parts of the country.
> They now have a presence in Assam as well.
>
> I think, it is important for each of us to contribute what we can.
> Pratham, from what I understand, will be able to match funds thru various
> sources. Further, contributions can be earmarked specifically to Assam. I am
> sure Hiren da can provide more information on Pratham if anyone wants
> further information.
>
> --Ram
>
>
>
>
>
>
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