[Assam] Day2: Assam 2007: Pt2; engg colleges, NRAs & C

Chan Mahanta cmahanta at charter.net
Wed Jul 4 13:15:13 PDT 2007 

And  at the same time become the methane factory of the world, with 
all that sewage decomposing in the canals, with no place to go. 
Sounds like a winner to me. It is already so after every rainfall, 
anyway. Just plug up whatever drain inlet is still working, and get 
some boats--voila, you have  a city viler than Venice.

It would be funny, had it not for the tragedy of it all, for so many 
of our own.












At 12:09 PM -0700 7/4/07, Dilip/Dil Deka wrote:
>I wouldn't know who used the phrase "negative reception" at Laurel, 
>MD - whether it was the CM himself or someone else. It is important 
>to know the source because that has a bearing on what I am about to 
>say.
>
>If the CM used those words, it was because he felt uncomfortable 
>answering some of the direct questions on infrastructure in Assam 
>that were asked in the Boston town hall meeting (that's what it was 
>called). The questions came from all sections of the 
>audience including several second generation Assamese-Americans. I 
>could see the pain these young people feel for their grand parents 
>and relatives in Assam when they asked about measures being taken to 
>alleviate water logging of streets in Guwahati and annual flooding 
>of the state from the Brahmaputra. No direct answers were given.
>
>There were questions on water retention ponds - why they are not 
>made a part of any development in a major town/city in Assam. The 
>answer was standard - for Guwahati, it is part of the master plan.
>
>There wasn't any formal presentation or speech except for one by a 
>GOA official, Mr. Sachan. The core of the speech by Mr. Sachan was 
>on investment in Assam, including details on tax deferment for 
>investors. I think the CM was expecting questions on investment in 
>the town hall open meeting that he did not get. During the reception 
>after the meeting, I noticed several would-be-investors talked to 
>the CM on an one to one basis. Since they were private discussions, 
>I wouldn't know what they talked about.
>
>During the reception, someone passed on an idea in a lighter vein 
>that Guwahati has the potential of being the "Venice of the East". 
>Since the streets get water logged anyway, just dig them deep, 
>retain and circulate the water, ply Assam style boats for 
>transportation and call Guwahati the "Venice of the East". Open 
>shopping malls on the two banks and invite the tourists. How is that 
>for an investment idea? :-)
>Dilip
>===================================================
>
>Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
>
>>  >
>>
>>IMHO, the annual floods are are going to happen every year. I don't 
>>think we can increase/or decrease floods by human action.
>>
>>The river will find the weakest embankments to crest, and will do so.
>>
>
>
>
>
>*** Yes, you are off base here Ram :-).
>
>There is an enormous  amount that could be done and not a moment too soon.
>
>BTW, Guwahati flooding is entirely a man-made phenomenon.  It is the 
>Indian style of non-planning, uneducated citizenry and dysfunctional 
>govt. bodies that has caused it. To resolve the problem, much that 
>was done to desecrate the city has to be undone. And it will need 
>foresight, political will and resources. The last could be 
>generated. The first is widely available. But the the one in the 
>middle is the weak link.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>At 11:40 AM -0600 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
>>Hi KJD,
>>
>
>
>  >In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the 
>most >menacing natural calamity,experienced by the state every 
>year >particularly since the great earthquake of 1950
>
>
>
>I agree, this is a much bigger and affecting more people than Engg. 
>colleges. And this is a problem that happens every year.
>
>
>
>Yes, Umesh did report "after the negative reception he received at 
>Boston conference ". Don't know exactly what that means - but will 
>just leave it at that,
>
>
>
>Regarding the annual floods: Here are thoughts (and I could be 
>totally off base in my assumptions)
>
>
>
>IMHO, the annual floods are are going to happen every year. I don't 
>think we can increase/or decrease floods by human action.
>
>The river will find the weakest embankments to crest, and will do so.
>
>
>
>So, what exactly can the state do?
>
>It can be ready for it every year by taking evasive actions.
>
>Can be ready with large scale evacuvation plans including livestock
>
>Can identify Highly flood prone areas, and advice settlers of the dangers.
>
>Be prepared with medical facilities
>
>Rescue operation readiness
>
>Help farmers get back on their feet with seed/fertilizer supplies etc.
>
>Help farmers acquire flood insurance - the state can mandate 
>insurance companies that they must offer reduced rats for farmers. 
>The state govt. can help farmers with the bulk of the premiums.
>
>
>
>The list can go on.
>
>
>
>--Ram
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 7/4/07, kamal deka <<mailto:kjit.deka at gmail.com>kjit.deka at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>Hi RS,
>
>My attention was drawn to the following remark,made by Umesh 
>Sarma.He wrote and I quote " after the negative reception he 
>received at Boston conference where he was only questioned about 
>annual flooding "
>
>
>
>In my considered opinion,the problem of flood is the most menacing 
>natural calamity,experienced by the state every year particularly 
>since the great earthquake of 1950.The stagnancy of economy of the 
>state owes much to this recurrent menace.For example,in the course 
>of last ten years,the total damage caused by floods to 
>crops,habitation of people and lives of cattle is estimated at over 
>Rs.1000 crores.
>
>
>
>The dream of setting up of 111 engineering colleges in Assam is okay 
>( how many medical colleges will be needed to look after the 
>ailments of these folks,I wonder ?).But then,one must remember that 
>76% of Assam's population is rural-based,who eke out a living from 
>their poor surroundings and where facilities in the area of 
>power,basic education ,health care 
>benefits,roads/communication/transport etc.are non-existent.Unless 
>these areas are taken care of by the government,economic prosperity 
>is impossible,even if you build thousands of engineering colleges.
>
>
>
>KJD
>
>
>
>On 7/4/07, Ram Sarangapani 
><<mailto:assamrs at gmail.com>assamrs at gmail.com > wrote:
>
>Thank you, Umesh for providing an exhaustive account of Assam 2007.
>
>  any mecal colleges
>
>--Ram da
>
>
>
>On 7/3/07, umesh sharma <<mailto:jaipurschool at yahoo.com> 
>jaipurschool at yahoo.com > wrote:
>
>
>
>Hi,
>
>In the Day 2 of the meeting (on Sunday July 1st, 2007) we arrived 
>just in time to have the lunch (got value for money - the $110 we 
>had paid each for the Assam 2007) - I was able to identify the dish 
>with the shrimp (and avoided a painful alergy outbreak ) .
>
>
>At the same time meeting of Assam Society was going on - I could 
>make out the sentences in English which were focused on non-profit 
>work and fund-raising (of about $2,500 only) and projects been 
>sponsored and monitored in Assam.
>
>  Later Partha-da Gogoi presented a passionate presentation for the 
>self-help groups and business initiative and mentoring for 
>engineering students etc 
><http://www.nepif.weblet.in/>http://www.nepif.weblet.in/   North 
>East Professional Institutes Forum
>
>under the leadership of Assam Institute of Management 
><http://www.aimguwahati.com/>http://www.aimguwahati.com/ -- which 
>was later shown in front of the Chief Minister --
>
>alongwith a presentation slideshow of 
><http://www.pearllifeline.com/>http://www.pearllifeline.com/ funded 
>and spearheaded by an NRI/NRA 
><http://www.assamtribune.com/may0507/Photo4.html>http://www.assamtribune.com/may0507/Photo4.html 
>who advised US President George Bush on medical stuff.
>
><http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/>http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/
>After that was the persuasive presentation for promoting engineering 
>college by Jugal-da Kalita based on research by Jugal-da (IIT , Phd 
>UPenn - Ivy League Univ, Prof Computer Science, Colorado) , Umesh-da 
>Tabildar (IIT , NASA, USA ), Jukti-da Kalita (IIT, IIM, PhD 
>Columbia) , Mantu-da Bhaishya ( BITS, Pilani ) , Ganesh-a Bora (PhD 
>Kansas - Agriculture engineering)  , Durba-da Bhattacharya (Prof 
>Computer science - Tejpur Univ, Assam)
>
>--- with comments on it by  Gautom Barua (Director IIT- Guwahati 
>Computer Science) and other IIT profs and Dipankar-da Medhi (Prof 
>Computer Science at Kansas and AssamNet Co-founder)
>
>The Chief Minster was in a state of bliss --- especially after the 
>negative reception  he received at Boston conference where he was 
>only questioned about the annual flooding of Guwahati (he later 
>spoke of Global Warming which might lead initail floods by melting 
>of glaciers followed by drought - when no more glaciers). He said 
>that he is so pleased with these presentation which have a positive 
>note and aim to improve the situation of Assam.
>
>Main Points of the engineering college presentation -- Orissa has 
>13,000 employed by Infosys for computer work -- even though has much 
>worse travel connection than Assam. Gautam Barua (IIT - G director) 
>was told by Infosys Chief (Nilekani is IIT batchmate of Gautam-da ) 
>that Assam only produces 750 engg grads compared to 13,000 by Orissa 
>- and Infosys wants 80% of its employees to be local -atleast.
>
>Second, Assam has 2.5% of India's population but only 0.2% of its 
>engineering colleges and only 0.17% of its engineering graduates. I 
>agreed with Jugal-da that engineering education might act as a 
>"pull" in improving basic education (at school level) .
>
>  Later during lunch Jugal-da, Partha-da and others were having 
>lively discussion with the CM. The CM had declared that his govt had 
>declared already that the year 2007 was the Year of Education and 
>passed a Bill (confirmed by his ADC later to  me) to open privately 
>run engineering colleges etc. Jugal-da however, told me that he was 
>not able to lay hands on any such Bill being passed by Assam govt - 
>but may have been introduced.
>
>I was within one feet of the CM and  even made eye contact but I 
>conceded to the stalwarts waiting to talk to him - who could have 
>more immediate impact or synergy.
>
>Partha-da in his very professional approach  showed that it was 
>possible to  have business outreach delegations to US  -- since 
>backward states like Jharkhand and  Uttranchal have been  making 
>waves in US. Utpal-da Brahma  (IIT, IIM  and  National Defense 
>Academy  selected  ) was of the opinion that  first  local Indian 
>companies need to  be invited to Assam and  based on their 
>performance MNCs would  get attracted to  invest  (FDI) in Assam. 
>
>There are more than one way to skin a cat , however!!!!
>
>Jugal-da and Partha-da rightly noted that NRAs have yet to get 
>involved with entrepreneurial ventures and thus, professional 
>education is the key to economic development of Assam -- a fact 
>whole heartedly agreed  to by Assam Chief Minister.
>
>He did say the Assam's economy was growing at 3% before his tenure 
>and now is at 6% and want it to go up to 8-9%  to catch up with rest 
>of India - and negated my question (anonymous) that corruption was 
>on the rise otherwise how could current growth be possible.
>
>(My comment - Indian embassy in DC has now opened doors for anyone 
>seeking corroption of any other info - under RTI - Right To Info Act)
>
>Any comments?
>
>Umesh
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Umesh Sharma
>
>Washington D.C.
>
>1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
>
>Ed.M. - International Education Policy
>Harvard Graduate School of Education,
>Harvard University,
>Class of 2005
>
><http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html>http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html 
>(Edu info)
>
><http://hbswk.hbs.edu/>http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)
>
>
>
>
><http://www.gse.harvard.edu/iep>www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the 
>above 2 are used )
>
>
>
>
><http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/>http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
>
>
>New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive emailing. Find 
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