[Assam] ‘I Am An Assamese, A Bengali And A S ylheti. What Exactly Am I?’ Anurag Rudra'a write up appeared Tehelka

Ram Sarangapani assamrs at gmail.com
Wed Jun 16 17:18:16 PDT 2010 

C'da,

>*** What it clearly shows here is that since the Indianistas, the true
humanists here, did not
>witness the accused Assam independence supporter , begging forgiveness for
the transgressions
>of the ULFA, he must condone, if not support, the killing of Biharis or
whatever other such aberration!

No, that is NOT the issue at all. No one is asking for proof here. Nor is it
required. The question does arise, when people profess humanism left &
right, that somehow it is ignored in certain cases.

And it is just a passing, lingering thought, and one need not be burdened by
it. :)

It is also understandable the biases involved. For some there would not be
the same surge of empathy for these Biharis, as it would for fallen ulfa
cadres or say the GOI goons. And that too is understandable.

But to term it as "support" was imho was misplaced.

There may be "Indianistas" (I'm sure somehow related to Sandanistas - how
convenient - these labels come right up,,and when needed?) who profess to be
some elevated, true "humanist".

But, speaking for myself, I ain't in that lofty circle. That place is too
damn crowded at the moment, and I am not applying, there are far too
qualified candidates up there:).

>But it really is yet another, perfectly IDIOTIC argument.

If you say so... it must be true :-)

>Imagine this 'odhom'  ( despicable one) accusing Ram or Kamal of condoning
all those acts
>of Indian violence against the many people of Assam and the contiguous
region, because
>I have not heard them raising their voices against those, not to mention
such arguments
>justifying them because India is there at Assam's invitation!

Again, I think KJD was wondering why there wasn't a global humanistic
approach,as opposed to just being selective. It would be certainly OK for
lesser mortals like me to be selective, but we don't count.

btw: "India is there at Assam's invitation" Ahem! you really mean "GOI at
the invitation of GOA"? :-)
Last time I checked, Assam is still very much within the Indian union.
Hence, no such thing as India and Assam.

>like the fear of "-- hugging Pakistanis"?

Must confess, I got carried away. I will make sure to hug Pakistanis when
required :-).
Seriously, it was just to put it context with our exchanges over the
suggestion of some sort of "Union" with India's neighbors.

>*** Of course not. After all they are not even human. The CRAWL around for
crying out loud!

Of course, they are humans, but they belong to B'desh, not India. I am also
surprised you being so wound up with my use of the word "Crawl". Well, let's
see (straight off a web dictionary):

 *Fig.* [of a surface] covered with many people or members of a class of
people moving about. *The place was crawling with police and FBI agents.* *The
city was crawling with tourists making it almost impossible to go from place
to place.*

Somehow, my use of the word crawl 'de-humanized' the B'deshis?  Well!

--Ram
(still on an even keel) :-) :-)




On Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 6:50 AM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at gmail.com> wrote:

> ****  I would be heartbroken if it were not so hilarious to read this
> piece.
> English language the problem here? Heck no, it is the dishonesty
> of the out-of-control attempt at spin. That is where the problem is.
> Read on:
>
>
>
>
> >No one, KJD nor I have said that there was "SUPPORT" for either the
> Dhemaji
>
>> killings or that of the Biharis.
>>
>> The discussion (I presume KJD) brought up was regarding "HUMANISM". If I
>> understood it correct, KJD was questioning as to why the SAME HUMANISM now
>> shown at the drop of a hat,  was totally absent when the Biharis were
>> killed.
>>
>
>
> *** What it clearly shows here is that since the Indianistas, the true
> humanists here, did not
> witness the accused Assam independence supporter , begging forgiveness for
> the transgressions
> of the ULFA, he must condone, if not support, the killing of Biharis or
> whatever other such aberration!
>
> What an enlightened  piece of logic, this!
>
> But it really is yet another, perfectly IDIOTIC argument.
>
> Imagine this 'odhom'  ( despicable one) accusing Ram or Kamal of condoning
> all those acts
> of Indian violence against the many people of Assam and the contiguous
> region, because
> I have not heard them raising their voices against those, not to mention
> such arguments
> justifying them because India is there at Assam's invitation!
>
>
> The incident was reported all over the place, and so now it seems there was
>> indeed a deafening silence, from folks who are very vocal otherwise.
>>
>
> *** What if the Indian apologists were/are either blind or deaf or both? Is
> it possible?
>
> Or is it that they keep tab of who said when about what to prove or
> disprove someone's
> allegiances or ideals? And if they did not see or hear something to the
> contrary, they
> are free to  convict the perceived defaulters  of condoning those
> transgressions ?
>
>  How bizarre!
>
> And these are the same people who have the audacity to argue about the rule
> of law.
>
>
>
> It does seem there is a dichotomy here. On the one hand, some are desperate
>> to severe Assam from India, but are gung ho about uniting the world, erase
>> borders of feuding countries, hug the Pakistanis, and so on. But not so,
>> when it comes to Assam/Delhi/ULFA.
>>
>
>
> *** Where is the dichotomy here? How does support for Assam's aspirations
> for sovereignty
> conflict  with working together with neighboring,  SOVEREIGN countries to
> ease pressures of
> illegal migration and other such problems?
>
> Speak of a language problem!
>
> Who ever suggested UNITING the world? Who ever recommended erasing of
> borders?
> Are these rational arguments or attempts at fabricating fiction to hide
> one's own little problems
> like the fear of "-- hugging Pakistanis"?
>
>
>
> > I don't support illegal B'deshis crawling all
>
>> over the place into Assam.
>>
>
> *** Of course not. After all they are not even human. The CRAWL around for
> crying out loud!
>
> Perfect example of the use of language to rob people of their
> humanity, an ancient tactic of despots and ethnic cleansers.
>
>
>
> For that matter, I don't like illegal Greeks
>> going to Assam or any other part of India.
>>
>
> **** How about all those ILLEGAL Indians 'CRAWLING' all over America? I
> have not heard
> any denouncement of them by these same folks with the same vitriol. Have
> other assamnetters? And if they have not, should that, by the same
> toargument, be construed
> to be an act of SUPPORT , by default, of such illegal immigration to
> America ?
>
>
>
>
> But, unfortunately, every time
>> this issue is raised, we are cast as "Muslim -Haters" or lungi haters.
>> That
>> is really, really sad!
>>
>
> **** Tsk, tsk! Here I am, a grown man, left in tears .
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jun 15, 2010, at 10:21 PM, Ram Sarangapani wrote:
>
>   Now, it's my turn - it's the damn English language again :-)
>>
>> No one, KJD nor I have said that there was "SUPPORT" for either the
>> Dhemaji
>> killings or that of the Biharis.
>>
>> The discussion (I presume KJD) brought up was regarding "HUMANISM". If I
>> understood it correct, KJD was questioning as to why the SAME HUMANISM now
>> shown at the drop of a hat,  was totally absent when the Biharis were
>> killed.
>>
>> The incident was reported all over the place, and so now it seems there
>> was
>> indeed a deafening silence, from folks who are very vocal otherwise.
>>
>> It's not about "Support", it is the absence of showing the same level of
>> 'humanism' in some instances, while not in others. That is why it is
>> "Selective Humanism".
>>
>> It does seem there is a dichotomy here. On the one hand, some are
>> desperate
>> to severe Assam from India, but are gung ho about uniting the world, erase
>> borders of feuding countries, hug the Pakistanis, and so on. But not so,
>> when it comes to Assam/Delhi/ULFA.
>>
>> What is KJD's primary ID or what is RS's?  Are they Americans first,
>>>
>> Hindus,  Indians, Assamese. Muslim-hater :-), ---- what?
>>
>> Really, what does this mean? I don't support illegal B'deshis crawling all
>> over the place into Assam. For that matter, I don't like illegal Greeks
>> going to Assam or any other part of India. But, unfortunately, every time
>> this issue is raised, we are cast as "Muslim -Haters" or lungi haters.
>> That
>> is really, really sad!
>>
>> But these are the tactics that one often has to resort to - assign labels,
>> and hope they labels stick.
>>
>> --Ram
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 9:48 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> On Jun 15, 2010, at 9:33 PM, Dilip and Dil Deka wrote:
>>>
>>> Did CM support killing of the Biharis or the blast in Dhemaji, though it
>>>
>>>> is quite apparent that he supports ULFA's cause?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> **** If one is desperate enough to find some some reason to devalue the
>>> idea  that
>>> one's humanity is the most important of identities, then it is easy to
>>> jump
>>> to such conclusions.
>>> But it would be a mindless one. Imagine KJD or RS's support of all things
>>> Indian meaning they also
>>> support the Indian army's atrocities over civilians.
>>>
>>> **** That also leads one to wonder if giving one's human identity the
>>> primacy is merely a ploy to look
>>> good, then what could be better , more honest identities ? What is KJD's
>>> primary ID or what is RS's?  Are they
>>> Americans first, Hindus,  Indians, Assamese. Muslim-hater :-), ---- what?
>>>
>>> Why am I mixing up national identity with religious you might ask?  For
>>> the
>>> simple reason of KJD invoking
>>> Erikson's ID confusion about being a Norwegian or a Jew.  How much more
>>> confused can one get?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I do not support ULFA's cause, thus I do not have a dog in this fight.
>>>
>>>>  Dilip, Houston TX
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ________________________________
>>>> From: Ram Sarangapani <assamrs at gmail.com>
>>>> To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world
>>>> <
>>>> assam at assamnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Tue, June 15, 2010 9:11:11 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Assam] ‘I Am An Assamese, A Bengali And A S ylheti. What
>>>> Exactly Am I?’ Anurag Rudra'a write up appeared Tehelka
>>>>
>>>> KJD,
>>>>
>>>> However,the same humanist failed to raise a whimper,when
>>>>
>>>>> ULFA-engineered massacre of poor Biharis took place in Assam.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Hehehe, that is what one would call 'selective humanism'.
>>>>
>>>> But it's OK, one has to give a lot of leeway for folks :-)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --Ram
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 7:39 PM, kamal deka <kjit.deka at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> are absolutely correct in saying, you are what
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> you choose to be - ie. defining yourself.<<<
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> RS,
>>>>> All of a sudden,humanist of mega size seems to be appearing in this
>>>>> Net,who now lays the claim that his first identity is nothing but a
>>>>> human being.However,the same humanist failed to raise a whimper,when
>>>>> ULFA-engineered massacre of poor Biharis took place in Assam.For
>>>>> him,it seems,everything pales into insignificance,when it comes to the
>>>>> question of ULFA.Is he trying to give his falsehood the gloss of moral
>>>>> sanction now? He can no longer fool people with his veneer of
>>>>> gentility!!!
>>>>> All this is a mystery to me,really.
>>>>> KJD
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 4:41 PM, Ram Sarangapani <assamrs at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Great assessment,  Mohan. You are absolutely correct in saying, you are
>>>>>>
>>>>>> what
>>>>>
>>>>> you choose to be - ie. defining yourself. The write-up by Anurag is
>>>>>> well-written & from the heart, and most netters will be able to relate
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> something or the other in what he wrote.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But to more important questions: How did you grow bhaat kerela & ou
>>>>>>
>>>>>> tenga?
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't think we have seen either of these in this area :-)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best of luck to Anurag, and hope to see more of his writings in
>>>>>> future.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --Ram
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 4:28 PM, Mohan Palleti <mpalleti at aol.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Anurag:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This is beautifully written article. I liked the honest expression
>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>> your feelings.
>>>>>>> I being a half telugu and a half assamese by birth, I could relate
>>>>>>> very
>>>>>>> well with you. I lived in Assam as a young child and moved to
>>>>>>> Hyderabad
>>>>>>> therafter. I had asked the same question to myself. What am I?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The answer is very simple. You are what you choose to be. And in the
>>>>>>> process you do not have to forget where you came from. You set the
>>>>>>> trend
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> the coming generations and you blend into a culture you choose to.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We lived in Hyderabad since 1973, And yet our house was a waterhole
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> lot of Assamese folks who visited Hyderabad. My mother passed away a
>>>>>> few
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> months ago. She was like a moher to a lot of young assamese folks who
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> live
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> and work in Hyderabad.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Although I have been living in the US for over a decade and speak 4
>>>>>>> different languages at home. I grow dhekia xaak, bhat kerela, ou
>>>>>>> tenga
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> in my
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> garden and have loads of Khorisa  in my referigerator. It wont be hard
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> you to guess what I consider myself to be.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I hope you get to read this email.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cheers!
>>>>>>> Mohan Palleti
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at gmail.com <lt%3Bcmahanta at gmail.com><
>>>>>>> lt%3Bcmahanta at gmail.com <lt%253Bcmahanta at gmail.com>> <
>>>>>>> lt%3Bcmahanta at gmail.com <lt%253Bcmahanta at gmail.com> <
>>>>>>> lt%253Bcmahanta at gmail.com <lt%25253Bcmahanta at gmail.com>>> <
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> lt%3Bcmahanta at gmail.com <lt%253Bcmahanta at gmail.com> <
>>>>>> lt%253Bcmahanta at gmail.com <lt%25253Bcmahanta at gmail.com>> <
>>>>>>
>>>>> lt%253Bcmahanta at gmail.com <lt%25253Bcmahanta at gmail.com> <
>>>>> lt%25253Bcmahanta at gmail.com <lt%2525253Bcmahanta at gmail.com>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> &
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> lt;assam at assamnet.org <lt%3Bassam at assamnet.org> <
>>>>>> lt%3Bassam at assamnet.org <lt%253Bassam at assamnet.org>> <
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> lt%3Bassam at assamnet.org <lt%253Bassam at assamnet.org> <
>>>>>>> lt%253Bassam at assamnet.org <lt%25253Bassam at assamnet.org>>> <
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> lt%3Bassam at assamnet.org <lt%253Bassam at assamnet.org> <
>>>>>> lt%253Bassam at assamnet.org <lt%25253Bassam at assamnet.org>> <
>>>>>>
>>>>> lt%253Bassam at assamnet.org <lt%25253Bassam at assamnet.org> <
>>>>> lt%25253Bassam at assamnet.org <lt%2525253Bassam at assamnet.org>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent: Tue, Jun 15, 2010 9:53 am
>>>>>
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Assam] ‘I Am An Assamese, A Bengali And A S ylheti. What
>>>>>>> Exactly Am I?’ Anurag Rudra'a write up appeared Tehelka
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> That is a believable, poignant story, Sushanta. Thanks for sharing.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The indignities that young Anurag had to endure, hopefully, were not
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> vain and his account,
>>>>>>> hopefully would help turn things for the better.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Many of us in this forum have worn different shoes. And we too wore
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> ones that
>>>>>>> Anurag had worn,at times of being a minority, foreign, alien etc. and
>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>> times of a dominant
>>>>>>> group wearing the halo of being an indigenous. It has helped us
>>>>>>> become
>>>>>>> fuller, better people.
>>>>>>> That said, I do realize that those of us in the US or other counties
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> with a
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> rule of law have not, would not
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ( except as rare exceptions) have to undergo some of the more blatant
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> overt acts
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> of discrimination, bullying or even physical assaults that someone in
>>>>>>> Anurag's shoes might have.
>>>>>>> That is where the rule-of-law plays a critical role, one that is
>>>>>>> absent
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Indian governance, not
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> just Assam's, part of the dysfunctional state of desi-demokrasy as I
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> call
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I agree with MM's advice: To be positive and ASSERTIVE. He has no
>>>>>>> reason
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> be
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> confused about his many identities, much less be apologetic. Long
>>>>>>> ago,
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> learned
>>>>>>> to choose my first and foremost identity to be the human one. My many
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> identities
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> fall into place, without conflict and without apologies!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pass this on to Anurag, if you can. I wish him all the best.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> c-da
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Jun 14, 2010, at 12:05 PM, Sushanta Kar wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> > Dear
>>>>>>> > Friends,
>>>>>>> > You will find this write up something interesting. Anurag is a
>>>>>>> B.A
>>>>>>> > student
>>>>>>> > of Cotton College. By this time he has earned a well reputation
>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> > poet in
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> > English. Here he has raised a few question on the identity
>>>>>>> crisis
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> > the
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> > sylhetis of the state:
>>>>>>> >
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.tehelka.com/story_main45.asp?filename=hub190610personalhistories.asp
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> >
>>>>>>> > Sushanta Kar
>>>>>>> > _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> > assam mailing list
>>>>>>> > assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>>> > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> assam mailing list
>>>>> assam at assamnet.org
>>>>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
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