[Assam] A chance interaction with Shashi Tharoor

Sun Aug 26 21:27:16 PDT 2007

Thanks RB. Hope my "Soft Power" for Assam works :)

Here is Tharoor's website and contact details

http://www.shashitharoor.com/contact.html

It will be interesting to find out when Tharoor plans to visit Assam. He
could be contacted either for speaking or other matters.

--Ram

On 8/26/07, Ritutapan Borah <ritutapanborah at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> It was really interesting. I believe, Ram's approach of 'getting
> message about Assam across' definitely will bear fruits.
>
> Regarding Mr. Tharror's Glossary on India published weekly (in
> alphabetic order, now it reached 'I') in the Times of India; I sent a
> short e-mail to ToI to request Mr. Tharoor to consider 'Assam Tea' for
> the same. As the glossary is about different topics (read it 'brand
> name'), India is known for.
>
> Don't know, whether the mail reached Mr. Tharoor.
>
> On 8/27/07, Ram Sarangapani <assamrs at gmail.com> wrote:
> > 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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > assam mailing list
> > > assam at assamnet.org
> > > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
> --
> Mr. Ritutapan Borah
> Business Analyst, Healthcare
> Bangalore
>
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