Impression Thailand: After 8 years

Impression Thailand: After 8 years

 

My preparations for attending the First NORTH EAST INDIA TRADE& INVESTMENT WEEK at Bangkok October 1-4 was very hectic. Piling workload, daughter’s ensuing half yearly examination, pressures of nuclear family living made it to the last hour. In the last minute I decided to go with just one pair of jeans, few essential garments and things, a laptop, a camera, and all packed into my laptop travel bag to fit it into the cabin to avoid luggage collect.

 

Luckily for me, although VOA (Visa On Arrival) is available at Bangkok, it was a wise decision to get the visa stamped beforehand at Delhi. The flight was uneventful except the noticed warning to few Indian fellow passengers by the Thai hostesses not to drink too much of the free stuff. There was some turbulence as we neared the coast of Myanmar. The landing was quick at the showcase ‘Suvarnabhumi International Airport’. The airport was a gift from the people of Thailand to their beloved king his Royal Highness Bhumibol Adulyadej (corruption of Sanskrit Bhumibol Atulya Tej) on attainment of his diamond jubilee of rule. He is the longest reigning royal in the world.

 

Plaque inside showing the King inaugurating the airport

 

 

A scene from the mythology

 

 

 

One of the six terminals

 

I was surprised to see the long waiting hours for VOA. It’s probably due to the Sunday holiday attack. I gave my friends company for some time and we were finally out of the customs green channel by 10 AM. As we cruised along towards the hotel, the emerging prosperous Thailand was unveiled. A new sky train line is being built to the airport. There is an elevated express toll road to avoid the nasty traffic jam of Bangkok. The skyline is clean and has a distinct Thai architecture, not haggard like our Indian cities. Roads are huge and clean. Being a Sunday, there was not much traffic on the road and we reached Hotel Ambassador at Soi (lane) 11, Sukhumvit, the place where all the delegates would be put up for the conference. The rates per room in the three star hotel is Baht (Thai currency) 1500. The currency is stronger than our Rupee (1$=Rs. 40.0=Baht 33.5).

 

I bought a prepaid international call card for 300 Bahts and a local calling card for 100 Bahts. One can buy a mobile for as low as 100 Baht and its OTC, no need of identity proof.

 

I checked in at the Youth Hostel at 25 Soi, Sukhumvit. The rate for single AC room, including breakfast was 800 bahts, which was booked through the Internet. It was at walking distance from the Hotel Ambassador at Soi 25.

 

I tried a ‘Tuk Tuk’ – Thai variety of Indian auto rickshaw. They are as notorious as our Dilliwala autos, worse here is; they don’t have meters. The guy knew English but was more interested to take me on a tour of Bangkok, than to my place of stay. They get 5 litres of gasoline from the shopping joints, jewellery boutiques for bringing the customers. Finally I took a taxi, which has a minimum fare of 35 Baht. All taxies are Toyota Corollas and AC.

 

I had a rendezvous with my orkutian friend Saptarshi Pathak at 1 PM. Saptarshi speaks near fluent Thai and is an MBA from a Thai University. His assignment was my reinitiation into Bangkok Shopping experience, I have to buy at least a business suit for wearing on the inaugural ceremony. He came at 1:30 and we both went out for lunch. The lunch was great, rice and a bowl of Thai curry for 290 Baht for two.

 

We took a taxi to MBK shopping mall, a huge shopping arena. There were people and shops everywhere. I bought goods worth 8000 B which included things ranging from a business suit (2200 B), a huge FRP 360 degree bag (2000 B), black shoe (990 B) and assortment of garments, electrical items, a yellow color golf cap with Royal Thai insignia to wear on Monday (the day of the king, when Thais wear the yellow color garments to show respect to the King).

 

Thai rural road

 

Thailand is booming, growing at 4.5-5%. Its infrastructure is great. Last year, the trade surplus was  $5.5 Bn. It has a foreign exchange reserves of $ 74.4 Bn. If we superimpose on India’s population of 1.2 billion people, the figures become a trade surplus of $ 101.5 Bn and a foreign exchange reserves of $ 1.43 Trillion. Its quite prosperous, and has a per capita GDP of $3176 in 2006; compared to $ 2825 in 2005.

 

A temple by the roadside

 

Its other economic and social indicators are impressive as well. Life expectancy for male is 69.23 years, while for females 74 years. Population growth rate is 0.91%. The country enjoys a very high literacy rate at 96%. The population is mostly Buddhist. Muslims, mostly in the Malay Peninsula; consist of 4%, Christians 1%, others 1%.  Population is united through the Thai language. There are about 30% Chinese origin people, but they too got integrated. The demographic assimilation is similar to Assam, through the language and eventually through intermarriage.

 

Riverside habitat

 

 

Saptarshi has been staying here for last 4 years. He is a young man of 25 years, moulding into the Thai culture. I asked him about the society. Thais are shy people, very humble. If two cars bang against each other, both the drivers will apologize, in Delhi they will bang their heads. Thais mostly eat outside and are prolific spenders. Its malls are full of own people as well. Sapratshi tells me that they hardly cook at home. They are also quite hard working people.

Large pots used for rain water harvesting. These houses can withstand floods as high as 11 feet. The boat is made of SS Steel.

 

From outside Bangkok is known for its sleazy nightlife. Population thriving on the sex trade is fully engaged there, I think that’s about 2% of the people. Thai massage, spas, home stay etc. attract millions of tourists every year and the tourism earnings are a huge portion of their GDP. In Phuket alone the earnings from tourism would be about $10 Bn as my friend Tharadol Thongruang, Counsellor (Commerce) at Delhi tells me.

 

 

A rich man’s house

 

I took a stroll in the evening in the locality. There are Thai massage bars, and sleazy joints abound. The taxi drivers approach as one walks along. They offer various night life packages, with sleazier pictures. If you say no, they don’t bother you. I think the oldest profession exists everywhere and the faithful will always find the avenue, be it in Guwahati or Delhi. In Bangkok, its institutionalized. The city is very safe. Saptarshi saw drunken girls walking alone at wee hours of the night; he also confided to me that he is yet to visit a massage parlour.

 

OTOP- village showroom

 

King is the centre to Thai lives. He is their father, demi-god. I saw many places where his photos and statues being worshipped. They wear yellow color dress to celebrate his day every Monday. Thais worship many Indian Gods too. I saw a ‘Siva’- half man half woman idol being worshipped near my hostel. Saptarshi told me that they worship ‘Brahma’- along the way he has shown me a place where hundred were visiting a way-side ‘Brahma’ temple. There was a balcony where some Thai girls were dancing. This particular idol was once vandalized by a drunken man a few year’s back and he was butchered by a mob, then and there.

 

Good old ‘Ganesha’ find favour for his connection with wealth

 

Statue of Brahma on a Thai street

 

Thais eat quite liberally from beef, pork to oysters. They also intake lot of green vegetable. Beef and meat are synonymous. For the religious minded, best bet is to go for chicken, sea fish dishes. Youth hostel offers American breakfast.

 

Thai food bazaar

 

 

First time in life I felt fortunate to have the ‘chinky’ look. In Delhi my whole family is sick of being mistaken either for a Nepali or something as remote as Singaporean. I have conveniently passed off for a Malay origin Thai. My colleagues Biswadeep, Nabaneet also shared this advantage. There are certain areas where local Thais are discouraged or have to pay little for. For example in the Siam Cultural Centre, ticket for tourist is 1500 Baht, but for Thais it is 2000 Baht.

Interview with Assamtimes.org

1)      What was your background and how did you venture into your current line.

 

 

I did schooling from Bordoloni in Dhemaji district of Assam and PU(Sc) from cotton College in ‘79. Pursued Production Engineering from Morvi, Gujarat in 1983 and subsequently MBA from University Business School, Chandigarh, Panjab University. Thereafter I joined Hero Honda Motors Ltd. as Plant Engineer in 1985. I was selected by Govt. of Assam for a two crore venture under ‘Operation Udyog’ scheme in 1986. I resigned and worked for three years to set up a Steel Forgings unit in Rani Industrial Area, near Guwahati. That turned out to be a misadventure. I had experience in dealing with failure at quite a young age.

 

I had to come back again to the job market and quickly changed 3-4 jobs after that. These jobs were in industrial consultancy and Govt. sector. One as Management Officer in Assam Govt. gave me insight into Govt. style of functioning and another as Consultant to DST on a Science Tech Park at Shimla. In 1990 I got married and we had our first child in 1991. As my wife, a doctor, did not get enough career opportunity in Shimla, we came to Delhi and staying here since.

 

I used to work for a Industrial Consultancy firm and in between helped a businessman from Nagaland to set up a plant in Dharuhera as his Project Director. I also worked as Secretary to an MP from Assam for a brief period of one year, apart from being Project Director to Majuli Island Protection and Development Council. We also started one company in 1997 to design web sites with the blessings of Dr. Jayanta Madhab.

 

There was a long unstable patch in my career. It gave me good lessons in human behaviour though. I am the quintessential entrepreneur, who could not make it..:)

 

2)      How did the move to NEDFI happen?

 

I helped Dr. Jayanta Madhab, then Chairman to organise a seminar of MPs in 1997. He found my management and networking abilities quite outstanding and hired into the NEDFi’s fold.

 

3)      Any steps taken by NEDFI to benefit people of North east.

 

NEDFi is the public finance institution for the people of North east. Bank and industrial finance was difficult to get in NER. Realising this a dedicated financial institution, mandated to cater only to create assets in the NE was created by Dr. Manmohan Singh, then Finance Minister in 1995-96 budget.

 

NEDFi has been extending term loans and mico finance to NER for the past 12 years. It has established itself as the premier lending institution there, and has been consistently profit booking, despite the not so reputable credit habits of the people.

 

NEDFi is also the canalising agency for central government subsidies under industrial and investment policies. It has designed a few innovative schemes to serve the first generation entrepreneurs of the region.

 

4)      How long have you been outside Assam?

 

It’s been almost 25 years now. I stayed in Morvi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Shimla and now in Delhi.

 

5)      How did you venture into the Assam Association?

 

I used to attend Assam Association’s functions, when I used to stay in Gurgaon. I became Executive Member in 1993 and thereafter has been in the Executive committee continuously. I was GS for the first time in 1996 and has been GS for three consecutive 2 years terms since 2001. I was treasurer for a term in 1999-2001.

 

6)      How has the experience been?

 

It’s very satisfying working for a cause. Delhi’s hectic life leaves us with very little time and resources for social work. It has been a wonderful experience and I enjoyed every bit of it.

 

7)      How did the Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan come up?

 

Namghar is an essential ingredient of Assamese consciousness. Ever since a group of Assamese got together since independence in the National Capital, they have been dreaming to find a place for common social activities, where basic minimum festivities can be held. The current plot was bought from the DDA in 1991, while allocation was made in 1989. Mr. Ataur Rahman, Dr. Nagen Saikia, Dr. Amol Hazarika, Mr. S D Lahkar, Mr. Dinesh Goswami, Dr. Nilamani Sarmah are the elders who went extraordinary length to get the land allocated. Padmashree Jugal Kishore Chaudhury, the noted Assamese architect gave critical inputs during the concept development stage of the centre.

 

Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan was conceived as a cultural centre with auditorium, art gallery, canteen, conference hall, guest house, office, library, open air theatre etc. to make it a centre of excellence and hub of activities of the Assamese people living in Delhi.

 

While the land cost was borne by the Govt. of Assam, raising the huge construction cost was a stupendous task. We needed to build the credibility of the organisation first, also to clearly chalk out the utilisation plan. Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the former CM of Assam brought together the CEOs of oil companies operating in Assam. Substantial amount was received from these companies as donation towards this venture. Every possible sources were tapped.  The project cost for the 10000 sqft complex was initially estimated at Rs. 1.5 crores, but with time overrun, it will finally reached to about Rs. 2 crores.

 

We organised three major events to collect funds. Two were held during my tenure. In one Ustad Zakir Hussain and Bangash brothers performed; while in the other Dr. Bhupen Hazarika enthralled the audience at the Sirifort. We were fortunate to have Mr. B C Bora, former CMD of ONGC as our President during very critical years. His personal reach enabled us to collect substantial fund and effect good project management.

 

Mr. Kuldip Nayyar gave Rs. 20 lakhs from MPLADS fund, Govt. of India gave Rs. 15 lakhs, Mr. Tarun Gogoi gave Rs. 10 lakhs from CM’s fund, ABITA,GAIL, NEEPCO, NRL, BRPL gave Rs. 5 lakhs each and OIL, ONGC gave Rs. 10 lakhs each. At individual level Mr. Rajeev Baruah of Hongkong gave Rs. 6 lakhs and Dr Jayanta Madhab gave Rs. 2.5 lakhs.

 

Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan is an excellent example of People-People-Partnership; and how a determined lot can achieve, despite gruelling and tough existence of the hectic metro life, if  a few decide to sacrifice a little for the society.

 

8)      Future plans for Assam Association.

 

Our term has already ended and the new team will be elected on 28^th July. I really cannot dictate any terms for the new EC. Only spell out a few broad milestones. This year is the Diamond Jubilee year of the association and befitting celebration should be on the cards.

 

New committee should endeavour to make Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan, the first address of Assamese in Delhi and make it a centre of excellence and a proud possession of the people of Assam.

 

It must also try to bring in the young and vibrant people to the fold. More interaction among the youth is essential, especially it should act as a forum for the youth, where they can mingle and exchange ideas. Future always lies with the youth, and we should catch them young.

 

9)      Any plans for Assam? How do you feel people outside can work for Assam?

 

Assam is in a sad state of affairs. It had the potential to be the richest area in the world, but that opportunity has been wasted due to geopolitical fate of the state. Flood plains are a menace. We can reclaim more then 1.5 million hectares of land, if proper river training and dredging operation is done. Assam is suffering from what is called ‘resource curse’. We have seen tumultuous changes during our own lifetime. My greatest fear is of losing our own identity, in our own land.

 

People in Assam look forward to the ones who have come out of the state in search of own destiny. They definitely have more exposure and better soft power and skills. These people should give back whatever they can to the state, especially so when it is going through such a bad patch. We can contribute at various levels. We can provide information on job availability and skill development for suitability to such jobs. For example, these days Assamese youths are coming for jobs like security agents. We can help them by providing low cost shelter for six seven days, till they are absorbed. We can also pool the information on job availability in our respective organisations and pass on the information to job seekers.

 

If a few students sitting at Calcutta more than 100 years back could germinate the seed to save the Assamese language, people sitting in the national capital can definitely sow the seeds of saving the state politically. We need an obsession and a few obsessive people.

 

 

Few instances of cheating!!

Few instances of cheating!!

MANOJ KUMAR DAS

Case:1

Scene-1. A few months back I got a call from Romenda of Indian Railways. An Assamese family lost their belongings; they needed some money to go home. ‘Most probably it’s a case of emotional distress selling; in any case can I talk to them?’ My talk with the head of the family was not very convincing. Next day Dr. M K Singh, IAS called me- “Das dangoria, bor achorit kotha eta hol. Assamese family etar bor digdari hoise. Apuni alop chabo neki?” I was curious now! If it’s a genuine case, the case needs to be addressed appropriately. Dr. Singh dispatched the family to Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan in his car.

 

Mr Bijoy’s story was that they are first timers in Delhi came to give admission to their daughter in a travel trade institute and just after disembarking from train, they lost all the belongings to a thug, who disappeared in the streets of Paharganj. Fair enough! It does happen.

 

On querying, the man was not convincing enough. He claimed to have worked in Nagaon  Co-operative Jute Mills, and I knew a Director there. The Director couldn’t recall any employee by that name of Bijoy Das. It happens, said Bijoy ‘ami xoru xoora chakori kora mahun, upor wala keitai kot chini pabo’. He is pissed off with our suspicious queries and can take no more! Now with daughter and wife, he just longs to go back home and never come back to this city of cheats.  Give him the benefit of doubt please, it can happen to you too and a distressed person can be incoherent.

 

We good Samaritans pooled about Rs. 2000/-, good enough for second class rail fare plus food during the journey to Assam. Our Luitporia boys led by Asif and Rajib dropped them at the station and bought them some extra tit-bits for the arduous journey. It was a great feeling helping a ‘kharkhowa’ in distress. God will help those who help humanity.

 

Scene-2. About Twenty days after the above generous act, I was going to Connaught Place. I saw the same family crossing the rd light at Hailey Road  in a tearing hurry. I told my driver to stop the car and rushed towards the family. Bijoy Das got a rude shock to see me. He was gasping for words. I casually asked them; what’s going on and why they came back. Unluckily for him, suddenly someone came and asked Bijoy ‘arre dada kob aya’. I quipped to that man ‘how long you know this family?’ and narrated the story. On that the man said, this man comes to his hotel at Paharganj quite often and is an old hand and does some small time trading.

 

I felt cheated and was raged in anger. Took him aside and gave him a big slap. He had about Rs. 700/- in pocket and I took Rs. 600/- refund. A lesson learnt first hand.

 

Case 2:

A family returning after medical tourism in the city. Their tickets are not confirmed, but not to worry. The local MP from Assam has sent in a request to the Railways Minister. When the reservation charts were finally hung, the family did not find their names. Summer rush, too many MPs must have requested for out of turn quota. The family’s despair was written all over their faces. They checked out of hotel. Money reserve is also plummeting. Have to leave this costly city anyhow.

 

Suddenly a well clad gentleman approached the family “aponalookok bor chinta kori thoka dekhishoo”. Moi rail ministry-t kam karoo. Montrir relation ejonok trainot see-off koriboloi ahisiloo. The family found a god send angel, that too an Assamese. What luck! The family gave him the tickets for last minute confirmation to that guy. It was a long wait. The train has left long back!

 

The guy coolly cancelled the tickets and pocketed the money.

 

Case 3:

I was coming out of Pragati Maidan. A labourer stopped me. “Sir, you look dependable and honest, so I would like to share a secret with you. I am the sardar of a labourer gang working inside Purana Quila. We got a huge gold necklace of some old king.” It has lot of gold beads. Take this bead and get it tested. He took out a small gold bead and gave me. I gave him my card and told to call me.

 

Two days later he came with his wife and two small kids. My wife was not home. The man took out a huge gorgeous gold necklace. I was really regal. He told me to wear around my neck. Oh! It was some heavy. I felt like Maharajah Vikramaditya. Who knows, it could have been his.

 

The man said, since he is a poor labourer, doesn’t know its worth. And some criminal gang comes to know of it, they will murder them. Since I looked so innocent and gentleman, there it is. I made a quick calculation. Just the gold value will be about Rs. 25 lakhs, and add the antiquity tag, the treasure was mind boggling. If I can buy it for say just 2-3 lakhs, it will be enough wealth for this life.

 

Somehow good sense prevailed. I told him, bhaiya, I need some time to arrange the money and also can you leave 2-3 pieces of gold with me. I’ll have to give it to my financiers. Meet me next week. I’ll give you good money for this treasure. And be careful. Keep it in some hiding.

 

Next day I took a piece to a jeweler. He quickly told me-‘sir aap jeise log bhi yei sab thog ke chakkar mein keise parte hain. Aap ko jo piece diya hai ye sona hai lekin baki sab pital hoga.’

 

My dream of a quick rich scheme came crushing down.

 

Case 4:

A renowned lady mountaineer from Assam came to Barunda’s (MP) place. A Manipuri guy, called Nilamoni Singh accompanied her. Hey Jonam, I keep telling Singh that he should give chance to our boys also. This time you must take chance in the next batch and go to Australia.

Mr. Singh runs an NGO, that trains people in mushroom growing. He is partner with an Australian farm, which in turn provides funds under commonwealth capacity building fund. If one can go for a month’s training; the savings from stipend could be about Rs. 1 lakh. Not bad! A foreign trip and savings too. I am game ‘baidew’. ‘apuni singhok alop seriously koi dibo dei moor naam tu recommend koriboloi.’ ‘Mr. Singh-can I also see some official correspondences with the partnering institute.’ He has shown me a fax message clearly mentioning all the terms and conditions, facilities to be given to the trainees, programme etc. I felt so lucky to have got this chance!

 

Two days later, Mr. Singh came to our house with his wife. ‘You are very lucky. The host institute has accepted your nomination. Here is the official letter. Now give me your passport and Rs. 3000/- for visa processing.’ A small price for such a great offer. Two days later I found my passport in the letterbox and no trace of Mr. Singh. Few more known persons also enquired about Mr.Singh. I confrontronted ‘baidew’- ‘manuh jon imman bodmash buli jonai nashiloo’.

 

Case 5:

A huge advertisement appeared in ‘the Employment News’ for 1000 posts of teachers in a chain of NGO run schools. Candidates must enclose a DD of Rs. 500/-. Lakhs of candidates have applied thinking, in a govt. run newspaper; things that appear must be genuine. No one got any calling letter and the fraudsters went home with a few crores of cool booty.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chit chat with Bhupendra Nath Barooah and Lily Baidew

Chit chat with Bhupendra Nath Barooah and Lily Baidew

 

I have known Bhupenda since 1981, when as a trainee I landed in Assam House seeking to stay in the dorm for two months. I was shooed away. He was the OSD at Assam House. I was very angry and upset.

 

Then when I landed in Delhi as the luck would have it, I grew quite close to him and Lily baidew. Today, learning that I was born in the same year as that of her elder son, she told me to call her ‘ma’.

 

Bhupenda and Lily baidew cameto Delhi in 1966, it’s been 43 years in Delhi. Although you can term them as Australian citizen now, as they have moved to Sydney; every spring they would spend their time in Delhi and reconnect with the long list of friends they left behind.

 

Col Jalnur Ahmed hailed from Kacharigaon of Titabor area Jorhat. He was a good friend of Anando Ram Barooah, the first ICS from Assam. He went to London to write for IMS (Indian Medical Serivice). Alongwith them was Col Siva Ram Baruah. All three were staying together. While Jalnur and Anando Ram cleared their entrance Siba Ram continued his study in London. Other two friends supported his study by sending money from India. Anando Ram and Jalnur were posted in Sibasagar district.

 

Then an incident occurred. The Commissioner, a British person came to Sibsagar and a dinner was hosted in his honour. There was a separate table arranged for the young brown sahibs, and they decided to boycott the dinner in protest. Getting the wind other senior officers tried to persuade them. But these two proud officers did not turn up. They were punished and Ananro Ram was transferred to East Bengal, and Jalnur to NWFP (North West Frontier Province).

 

Anando Ram suffered from Malaria and died at a very young age of 39. Jalnur got married to a Delhi girl, who was from the family of Nawab of Rampur. Their son was Fakruddin Ali Ahmed. He was sent to Cambridge to study Bar at Law. After his return Jalnur took Fakhruddin to Guwahati and handed over him to Karmanir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi. Fakhruddin joined Congress and remained a loyal soldier till his death in Presidency.

 

What did he do for Assam. A lot has been said against him. The leaders from Assam were quite different that time. They were pan Indian leaders and always thought that parroting about Assam will make them look parochial. In fact Delhi was jokingly said to have been ruled by Barooahs. Dev Kant Barooah was the Congress President, Mr Bedabtrata Barooah was the Minister of State for Industry, Mr Bhupendranath barooah was the Private Secretary to the President, and Brigadier Mani Lal Barooah was the house keeper of the Presidential Estate.

 

Was he a party to what happened to Assam today? He was the only Muslim minister in Bimala Prasad Chalihas’s ministry. It was quite unlikely that  a single person could do so much damage to being in Mymesinghias that time. In fact the flow of Bengali Muslim settlers started during Syed Shadullah’s time. A train was started from Sylhet to bring in Bengali Muslim settlers under the grow more food campaign. He was caretaker Chief Minister, when Mr Chaliha became very ill. It will be wrong to say anything against a man who is no more there to defend him. He however thought about the well being of Assamese Muslims. He patronized Syed Abdul Malik, and made Mauzadar of Barpeta Azizur Rehman an MLA.

 

The problem of illegal immigrants was there since long. Whenever there was a complaint of Pakistanis entering India, police would round up few people and deport to the border. The villagers would show the number of thalis they had, and the number of persons rounded off as Pakistanis and deported. There would be huge hue and cry of Indian nationals being deported as Pakistani and that would be the end of the exercise. It served no purpose and it was very difficult to identify who was real and who was illegal. They took full advantage of the system and exploited to the hilt. Monetary incentive would have helped identification.

 

In 1975 President on a visit to Indonesia decided to take a Satriya team from Notun Kamalabari Sattra, Majuli. Many in Delhi advised to pick up a reknowned Classical dancer. Begum was very firm and said only team from Majuli would go. After a screening Ram Vijay Bhaona was selected. Mr Hiteswar Saikia was the Cultural Minister and Mr Rudra Barua was the Director, Culture. The team went by Air India flight from Calcutta. The cultural troupe was wearing pure white dress from top to bottom, sponsored by the Govt. of Assam and it was a sight to remember.

 

President used to offer namaz at the humble mosque near the Transport Bhawan, adjacent to the Parliament. One Friday afternoon, he was on the dining table and suddenly commented that the ‘bhakats’ will have problem in eating at Muslim Indonesia. They should eat only fruit. Mr Barooah, told him that most of the bhakats are non vegetarian and only 2-3 are pure vegetarian, so eating would not be a problem. 5^th May is his birthday incidentally.

 

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed sahib was a saintly person. Once Swami Gyanananda from Rama Krishna Mission sought an appointment. He was given an appointment for 10 minutes. The meeting ended after 1 and half hour. There was queue of succeeding visitors. The Swami after coming out commented that “Mr Barua, thank you very much, I not onlymet a good man but a good soul”.

 

He was a very devoted Congressman and confident of Nehru Gandhi family. Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi used to stay in his house during their visits to Assam. Muslim league used to put lot of pressure on his and there used to be demonstrations and provocations before his house. He remained firm and never wavered from his party allegiance.

 

He was also firm at times. During the language movement, there was complaint of Bengalis being prosecuted in Assam. Nehru summoned Fakhruddin, who was the caretaker CM, due to illness of Mr Chaliha. Nehru told him that Govt. is considering to put Mr Ashok Sen, Union Law Minister as incharge of Assam. Fakhruddin replied that we are a constitutionally elected government and you cannot do that. Otherwise we’ll all resign en bloc and oppose you. Nehru relented. He called Fakhruddin in the evening and commeted that he had consulted constitutional experts, and Fakhruddin was right.

 

Lily baidew also comes from an aristocratic and rich family of Sibasagar. She was very close to Begum Abida Ahmed. In fact many thought she was her Private Secretary. Begum Abida was excellent in floral decorations, and she was an accomplished painter. Begum Abida Ahmed was a very fine lady. She was very compassionate and once visited Majuli to see the flood afftected people. When asked about her reactions, she said- ‘I am moved to see your sufferings’. It is unfortunate that the first martyr of Assam agitation Khargeswar Talukdar got linked to her filing on nomination from Barpeta. Her both sons are a poliical. One……… is a judge with…….Court and the other a CEO with Max Healthcare.

 

Lily baidew used to organize parties for visiting President’s wives. Once during Hungarian Presidents visit a fashion show of traditional Assamese costume was organized. Famous mountaineer Atanu Prasad Barua’s wife Prarthana just came as a newly married bride. She was put on the ramp set up by the poolside.

 

Magician M F Hussain’s show was organized in the Presidential house. Once a drama ‘Fatima Bibir Ghor’ was staged in the Hall No. 1, which is exclusive for the President and his close officials. One beautiful actress of the drama found her life partner during that trip.

 

Assam Association, Delhi was that time quite close knit. It had about 150 members. Mr Tarun Gogoi was the President. He went to invite the President for Bihu function and collect donation. President suggested why not hold the Bihu inside the Presidential estate by the pool side. Lily baidew was the Sports Secretary, her job was to organise a Sports event, inviting students from Delhi University. As President his said he would come, Mr Gogoi told her to prepare food for the President at home, and leave the sports to someone else. Lily baidew prepared Caramel Custard, Baked Fish and Sour fish curry. President’s food tester allowed it to be served without he checking.

 

Lily baidew and Bhupenda have now migrated to Australia, to be with their eldest son. She is engaged in social work there, where she has taken a 3 months training. She serves old age homes, destitute shelters, orphanages. We wish them good health and cheerful life!

A bystander’s view on Police

A bystander’s view on Police

 

-Manoj Kr Das, New Delhi

 

When we were children, our elders used to use a few icons to drive fear into our minds in a bid to imbibe discipline. Ravana, vicious jackals and red capped police with a lathi were the standard ones. Every time we did some mischief, they threatened to call one of these. It was in serial order, starting with Ravana in the toddler stage. During my childhood, we hardly saw any proverbial police close up, as the thana was about 40 kms away at Dhakuakhana. My idea of the police was of some sterner stuff – khaki clad, lathi wielding, donning a triangular red cap as described by my grandmother.

 

It was during an emergency, when I first saw a police force from close quarters. We were a wealthy farming family with four huge granaries. We also had other family businesses of running a weekly haat, a ferry ghat and 15 huge fishery beels. Naturally our family had rivals in the area. One day during emergency in 1975, a large contingent of police force gheraoed our house; my family was charged with hoarding. We kids were scared. I could read the nametag of one ‘Panging’, SDPO, who was the incharge.

 

My father was the Deputy Chief of Dhemaji Sub Divisional Council. He was away and somehow came to know of the raid and went straight to Shillong and got a reverse order issued. This incident taught me that there are more powerful entities than the police, and that we also have some power.

 

Around 1977 a horrible murder took place in our tinali and a police outpost was established. The OC took one of our houses on rent for his residence. His children used to play with us. It was then when I realized – ‘Well, they can be human too!’

 

In 1978 in Cotton College, during the formative days of the Assam agitation, we had a tiff with the police. Mr KPS Gill, the Supercop, was the SP of Guwahati. Over-agitated students burnt a public bus near our DS Hostel. There were brickbats. One junior, Parag Das’s head was struck with pelting from the police party. Mr. Gill and his posse wanted to storm our hostel. Our hostel Super, Sashidhar Goswami sir, stood firmly in front of the gate and did not allow the police to enter. He declared- ‘only over my dead body’- it was a tense day. After a long standoff Mr. Gill relented. That was one of our first lessons in managing severe stress and strain.

 

Then I entered MBA course in Panjab University, Chandigarh after Engineering in Morbi, Gujarat. A guitar wielding senior Mr. Subodh Jaiswal cracked civil services and joined the Maharashtra cadre IPS. He later became security in charge of Prime Minister, Mr. Vajpayee. Only then did I come to know of the various strata of officers in police hierarchy- Constables, Inspectors, State Police Service Officers, IPS officers.

 

Later my old buddies Mr. Bhaskar J Mahanta, Mr. Atul Karwal and Mr. Tapan Deka joined the IPS. They are now top and sterling officers in the IGP rank. Mr. Diganta Barah, who was the second topper in the Matric examinations and very close to me, joined IPS a few years back. My classmate in Cotton College, Ms Violet Baruah, is serving as SP. There is also senior Mr. Rana Bhuyan. I had one Tankhul Naga friend Mr R N Tomchon, ACP in Delhi Police, who expired a couple of years back.

 

Why I am mentioning them? All these persons had been toppers and could have become Professors, writers or professionals in other fields. Their being in the Police service is just a matter of chance. They must have scored a few marks less or more in the respective Civil services examinations which may have placed their destiny where they are today. They are all humble human beings, normal like any other. Their aspirations are also like any other. My friend Karwal climbed Mount Everest last year at the age of 47 years. Mr. Parasmani Das, IPS perished while climbing a mountain in Sikkim a few years back. He was a great mountaineer.

 

I had the opportunity to mingle very closely with Mr Mihir Kanta Barooah, the first IPS Assamese IPS Officer, as a fellow Assam Association member. He is a great littérateur and a down to Earth person. No pomp or show. There are others like Mr. Kula Saikia, Mr. Sankar Barua, Mr. Dilip Bora , writers, actors and great human beings.

 

Job of policing is not easy. It’s probably the only pure 7x24 hour job in the whole world. Maintenance of law and order in the society is the foremost duty. Imagine 1.2 billion people without law and order! The police force operates through fear and the general regard for their uniform. Despite such a noble mission, why are policemen dreaded and so feared? Because it is the first force that executes the law, the rules that govern the people. It seems to have the power to take away all the rights given by the constitution. It’s another matter that courts come into the scene after the first act of the police.

 

Corruption is a known evil in the police force. Media, specially the visual, portray the corruption angle in almost every script. The police is known to protect Mafias who share their ‘haftas’. Bribing is a way of getting away with light punishment, or sharing booties. On a daily basis, we get caught breaking minor laws like jumping a red light. Naturally no rational being will pay Rs. 1000/- when he/she can get away by bribing the traffic policeman with Rs. 100/-, and there is a willing taker. The loser, of course, is the exchequer.

 

Recently I had a bad experience in Assam. The Delhi police never misbehaves with the common citizenry, while in Assam, it’s the opposite. They look at status signatures and treat accordingly. In one incident at Dhemaji, while going to attend the Sahitya Sabha. I was sitting at the back with a proper suit; while my cousin, the Principal of local college there was in front seat. We were in an old Matiz and were stopped at a road diversion by a traffic cop. He rudely commented at my cousin, asking whether he was blind not to see the road sign. My cousin reminded him to talk politely, on which, he replied back with more severity. It was only when I told the cop that he was talking to the Principal of the local college, and this could lead to something serious, that the policeman stopped.

 

Next day at North Lakhimpur I was driving in a jeans and T. The main highway in NLP passes through a busy market place. It’s closed for the traffic in the evenings, which I was aware of. I stopped at the intersection as there were not many cars and wanted to enquire about the exact route to the place I was going to. The cop rudely told me in derogatory manner, as to why I couldn’t read the signs. I replied that I’m a Delhite and not much accustomed with the roads there. To my utter surprise, his boss joined his cohort, and instead of soothing the situation, taunted me and lampooned that he too visits Delhi often. I did not say much after that and left for my destination.

 

By chance a day later I happened to meet my friend Mr. B. J. Mahanta in a Badminton court early morning. I casually told him of the falling standards in police behavior with the public. He took down the incidents in his dairy. I don’t really know what happened after that. I am the last one to go after vendetta, but I do worry this much that if such behaviour could be meted to people like us, what’s in store for the commoner man.

 

As a conclusion I state, it’s supposed to be the policeman who is our friend in need. Policemen are the sentinel of law and a major component of the nation building process, and moral maintenance. Their morals should be above the common man’s; they should have moral standards so that the common people will look up to them with the respect that the better part of this force deserves. Police is the number one public service unit which is always there at dialing 100. I am sure that over the years it will evolve as a credible and efficient force, all over the nation. We will have a peaceful and crime free nation, which might though be a thoroughly utopian aspiration, which is essential for progress and prosperity.

 

-end-

A few ideas for boosting development of Assam

A few ideas for boosting development of Assam

 

-Manoj Kumar Das (77-79 PU(Sc))

 

Since distant past Assam always attained considerable power and a fair degree of civilization as pointed out by several historians. Sir Edward Gait mentions that the soil of the Brahmaputra valley is fertile, but its climate is damp and relaxing, so that, while the people enjoy great material prosperity, there is a strong tendency towards physical and moral deterioration. The inhabitants become lazy and mellowed down over a few generations and are overrun by more aggressive people from the hills or the west from time to time. Similar fate awaits these newcomers in their near future. Thus the valley has become a demographic melting pot. It has more than 200 ethnic groups intermingled. Gait terms this as the ‘sleepy hollow’ of the Brahmaputra Valley.

 

Such a tragedy is in progress now, in our times and we can do nothing about it. Relentless migration across intra-national and international borders over past century has reduced the ethnic Assamese people to a minority, thus losing political power to new equations. In democracy numbers matter.

 

We are losing economically too. Assam is one of the richest regions in the world. It has oil, coal, forest, water, natural assets, wildlife, ethnic diversity, international borders, wide rivers and what not. During independence, Assam was on top of the chart on economic indicators. However, in a seminar last year former Finance Minister Mr. P Chidambaram debunked the claim, citing that the parameters were different then. The initial advantage was eroded by decades of lower plan investment, outflow of precious resources without reinvestment.  Over the years since independence the economic situation has degenerated due to depletion of the numerator due to outflow and ballooning of the denominator due to uninterrupted, huge influx.

 

 Produced below is comparative statement of per capita net domestic products for top ranking states/UT of India vis a vis Assam.

 

PER CAPITA NET DOMESTIC PRODUCTS FOR TOP RANKING STATES/UTs
1980-81 to 2005-06
sl no		States		1980-81		1990-91		1995-96		2001-02		2002-03		2003-04		2004-05		2005-06
1	Chandigarh								52385		58772		66512		75181		86629
	Ranking		na		na		na		1st		1st		1st		1st		1st
2	Goa		3145		8797		20141		44110		48839		54577		66135		70112
	Ranking		2nd		2nd		2nd		2nd		2nd		2nd		2nd		2nd
3	Delhi		4030		11057		21830		43587		45483		49825		55215		61676
	Ranking		1st		1st		1st		3rd		3rd		3rd		3rd		3rd
4	Pandicherry		2794		6683		11512		39138		44903		48547		44908		48477
	Ranking		3rd		6th		7th		4th		4th		4th		4th		4th
5	Haryana		2370		7509		13573		26077		28259		31509		35044		38832
	Ranking		6th		4th		5th		7th		7th		6th		5th		5th
6	Maharashtra		2435		7439		15770		24450		26697		29770		32979		37081
	Ranking		5th		5th		4th		9th		8th		8th		8th		8th
7	Punjab		2674		8318		16053		28949		29443		31192		32945		34929
	Ranking		4th		3rd		3rd		5th		6th		7th		7th		7th
8	A & N Island		1613		5590		10911		27112		30050		33150		31004		34853
	Ranking		11th		8th		9th		6th		5th		5th		9th		8th
9	Gujarat		1940		5891		12914		19823		22683		26922		29468		34157
	Ranking		7th		7th		6th		12th		11th		10th		10th		9th
10	Assam		1284		4281		6624		13153		14600		15687		16825		18598
	Ranking		25th		19th		23rd		25th		24th		26th		27th		24th
Surce: indiabudget.nic.in (1999-2000) and (2008-09)

 

 

British started the Assam operations with Assam Railways and Trading Company in 1838 AD, the companies registration Act was passed a just a couple of years back. They constructed elaborate rail tracks, developed inland water transport upto Sadiya. Huge saw mills were set up at Sadiya and Chichiborgaon to semi process and take out the timber wealth. Tea gardens were set up in the foothills and uplands, which numbered about 1000 at one point of time. Land was granted to companies at abysmally low revenue rates. Labourers were brought in thousands from Chottanagpur, Orissa, Telengana, Bastar etc. Rail and inland water transport evacuated coal, jute, tea from the region. Then accidentally oil was discovered at Digboi and first refinery in Asia was set up at Digboi in 1899 AD. Till this date oil is flowing out of Assam. Assam’s resources didn’t touch the lives of its inhabitants. Neither that money was reinvested back, both private and public. The fringe benefits went to others. Even today the registered offices of the tea companies are located in Kolkata. West Bengal enjoys employment, warehousing, logistics and huge tax benefits from Assam tea. I did some ballpark research on the value of the resources taken out from Assam. It’s no point talking about the British period. Hence I have chosen the period post independence. The amount is arrived at current prices. Logic is, had we invested back the proceeds, that would have wielded more than the current market prices with lot many add ons.

 

Table shows the cumulative figure of resources taken out from Assam post independence era, which could have been invested back.

 

Item name	Average Annual	Unit	No. of Years since 1947	Current average market price per unit($)	Total Amount per year (US$ Billion)	Total since 1947 (US$ Billion)	Basis
Crude Oil + Natural Gas, All Waxes, Petroleum Coke (equivalent of Crude Oil) (Price of 1 Barrel=$60 prices)	4.5 + 4 =9.5	MnMT	61	432	4.104	250.34	1MT=7.2 barrels (Oil India Ltd. produces 3.4 Mn MT per year and ONGC produces 1.2 Mn MT per year- ONGC used to produce upto 3 Mn MT sometime back, so average is taken at 4.5 Mn MT)
Tea	475 Mn	Kg	61	5	2.375	144.86	India produces 850 Mn Kgs of tea per annum, Assam’s share is 55%)
Timber	50 Mn	Cuft	35	3.5	0.18 (not to be added to current year)	6.13	(Assam used to supply upto 90% of India’s plywood demand. The log felling ban has put an end to legal logging operations)
Coal	0.85 Mn	MT	61	156.25	0.133	8.10	(Annual average production of NECF is about 0.85 Mn MT. Average price is Rs. 7500 per MT)
Bamboo	LS	-	30	-	0.50	15.0	(HPC and paper mills outside Assam has been exploiting the bamboo wealth of Assam for past 30 years)
Others	LS	-	61	-	1	61.0	Others like Agar, Agarwood, Shellac, Minerals, Silk, Jute, Medicinal herbs, Spices, Animal produce etc.
Total					8.11	485.43	At $Bn=4800 Rs.. crore. The amount is equal to Rs. 23,30,064 crores.

 

 

It is obvious that the wealth of the state was drained out through a system of Public Enterprises. The main revenue generating resources of the state were under the Central Sector while the sectors like policing, health, education etc. which are expenditure intensive were given to the state government. The total reversal of self-dependence on Food Production front due to National Embankment Policy crippled everybody since 1950. It has broken the backbone of the state’s economy.

 

What’s the way forward? I have been observing how states like Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra grew. Uttar Pradesh has recently launched a few mega projects like Yamuna and Ganga Expressways to give a fillip to spending, so that the economy gets a boost. The following few ideas of big buck spending to bring back Assam on the rail of development has come out of my idea box. This is for the experts to evaluate and take a prudent view. I am sure these projects will find favour with the central government as well as the private parties.

 

A. Development of the Brahmaputra river basin:

 

Scope of work:

 

Part#1  Canalizing and training of the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries:

 

·        Survey of satellite pictures and contour profiling of the valley to find channels and recesses to train the River Brahmaputra and its tributaries;

·        To find out how much channel depth and width will be required for full discharge of maximum flow in the river;

·        To study creation of ‘‘monkey’s mouths’’ during high floods for flood mitigation;

·        To do an estimation of the total land that could be recovered after the training of the rivers;

·        To do an estimation of the civil work needs to be done to dredge and dig the channels.

·        To do a cost estimate of above works.

 

Note:

 

On a rough estimate, some 1.5 million hectares can be reclaimed if the Brahmaputra river system is dredged, canalized and trained. There is also a novel idea of dumping the reclaimed soil in a North-South direction in mounds to get the maximum surface area.

 

Part#2 Utilities and facilities across the river:

 

·        Identification of locations for setting up of run of the river power plants, with lock grid system for uninterrupted navigation along the river;

·        Estimation of energy that can be generated from run of the river power plants;

·        Identification of river port sites, jetties, water parks, water animal reserves, irrigation channels, in consultation with National Waterways Authorities.

 

Part#3 Building of Brahmaputra expressways on the two banks of the river and  ancillary development:

 

·        Survey of a route for two parallel 8 lane- expressways from Sadiya to Dhubri; it will also act as a flood deterrent embankment with sluice gates at strategic locations;

·        Survey of other arterial roads along the tributaries;

·        Identification and development of PPP projects for setting up of ethnic tourist villages, craft museums, cultural centres, entertainment parks, water sports facilities, river cruise facilities, river beaches, water parks, spas, sanatorium etc.

 

Part #4            To prepare a CDM project for economic afforestation, medicinal, aromatic and bio-diesel plantations.

                        Project on the reclaimed lands and huge mounds to be created on the both sides of the trained river. An afforestation

 

B. Construction up of an Aerotropolis  near Doom Dooma, upper Assam:

 

Scope of work:

·        Study the current flow of traffic between pacific Rim, China, Korea, Japan to Middle East, Africa, West Asia and vice versa;

·        Identify existing transit, recreation, resting hubs in India, Thailand and vicinity;

·        Work out the pre feasibility of setting up a green field, state of the art, ultra modern aerotropolis for refueling, recreation, resting;

·        Identify the infrastructure, facilities like healthcare, entertainment, short tourist recreational facilities like golfing, spas, healthcare, sanatorium, shopping malls.

 

 

            Note:

Assam lies in between the far eastern countries of Japan, Korea, Pacific RIM countries and Africa & Middle east nations. Doomdooma in upper Assam is on the western head of the Stillwell road that connects Assam with the Southwestern part of China. This place is not far from Dibrugarh, the healthcare hub of upper Assam. This could be a refuelling, resting, recreation and transit stop for long distance travelers from the Pacific rim to South Asia, South Africa and West Asia. As of now, there is no such place. Bangkok is too near, Mumbai-Delhi are dull and Dubai is too dry and far. The aerotropolis will have World Class recreation hubs, education, accommodation, sports facilities and a satellite IT hub to tap the IT potential of the NE Region.

 

C. Creating a Metropolis:

 

There is a need to create a mega city, where about 15 million people could live. This city –state could have an area of influence of about 1,500 kms. In South East Asia Singapore, Kualalumpur, Bangkok. Kunming have their spheres of affluence. To the West are Dhaka, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore, Tehran  etc. Guwahati is ideally located to yield such a sphere of influence, however it does not have the land.

 

The mega city will be a centre of consumption, manufacturing, trade & commerce. If Guwahati is chosen to be the candidate the city must expand to the North and the East. The great river is ideally located to support such a mega city. At least three bridges across the river, roads, drainage, water, sewage, sanitation, power, education, recreation, entertainment and health facilities needs to be created. The city will have to outgrow its current topographical limitations and metamorph itself into a great city.

 

D. Open up age old trade links of Assam:

 

There is need to build an all-weather, four-lane expressways through the Stillwell Road from Ledo to Mytkyina in Myanmar to link up with Route No. 9 of Trans Asian Highways that goes upto Singapore. In my estimate only 205 Km of road needs to be built through the Hukong Valley. It will push the insurgents and bring in prosperity and tourism from prosperous ASEAN and PACIFIC RIM. Without connectivity, the Centre’s “Look East Policy” will be a blind policy. The bogey of Chinese fear is not doing any good to our security either.

 

E. Build a spiritual tourism circuit:

 

Assam and the North-east have great endowment of extraordinary biodiversity, landscape, demographic diversity. It also has a fair share of myths right from the Mahabharata Times.

 

A well-designed and commercially viable spiritual tourism circuit can be established, starting point from the legendary Parsuram Kund on the Lohit in Arunachal, with theme parks and infrastructure at Sisupal Garh and Bhismak Nagar. The next stop will be Malini Than near Silapathar where Krishna was said to have been garlanded by Durga, in guise of a malini (flowerwoman). Bring the tourist to Majuli, which was blessed by krishna to be the second Vrindavan and is living upto the reputation with its numerous Sattras and the living Satriya culture.

 

Biswanath Ghat on the North Bank, known as the second Kashi, could be the next stopover with Tezpur's mystic past with Usha and Anniruddha providing the missing links. Kamakhya in Guwahati Ashwaklanta in North Guwahati, Madan Kamadeva near Hajo and Suryapahar ruins in Goalpara, and ultimately the Netai Dhubuni Ghat at Dhubri will provide the chain to the legendary connections to the mystic past.

 

We need to go back to our Pragjyotishpura days for connecting to the great Indian domestic pilgrimage traffic that brings in billions in search of succor to the soul.

 

 

            Millions will come to visit Assam for spiritual reconnection.

 

“Bajok xonkho bajok doba bajok mridong khol, oxom akou unnotir pothot -Jai Aii Oxom-bol”

 

“””””””””””””””””””””””””””END””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””