on 29th Sept 13, I attended a meeting for the sensitization efforts for a renewed flowing Kallong. Only a concrete steps with detailed survey and implementation from the Govt part, where the society's role as a watchdog can only make our Kallong flow again.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Panchayat Poll
The overwhelming majority of Congress In Assam is expected. The fall of regional party and the rise of AIUDF will lead the political scenery quite differently.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
My Dear Mai Mai and Babua,
FELLING OF OLD SIMALU, MANGO, NEEM AND BETEL-NUT TREES
BY SHRI SUNIL KUMAR IPS , SP NAGAON
AND ERCTION OF 25-30 FT HIGH BOUNDARY WALL WITH
PLASTIC SHED PREVENTING THE FREE AIR FLOW AND VISION
TO THE LOCALITY
Again there is a long gap of non-updating my blog. I always think of writing it, updating it. But again with lots of excuses it is delayed. Maybe, one of the reasons is paucity of time. By 8 AM I am to leave for Tezpur and by 8.30-09.00 PM only I arrive home back. Anyway, I know the saying that there is no paucity of time for a busy man.
Any way, the feelings I wished to write during these days are as follow.
Mahim Bora’s presence in a political meeting with his statement favoring the pro-dam stand of the Govt. and his direct opposition to Akhil Gogoi
Why I had not visited Mahim Bora’s house( whom I regard as one of the few persons I respect ) during the last Bohag Bihu, which I normally do.
On the languages , both verbal and body language of responsible Minister like Himanta, Rakibul etc used to use in public.
The 180 degree U turn by Homen Borgohain in the Publication Board issue . The role of Arindam, Mausomi etc on the same issue.
On the backdrop of my recently published novelette “ Bandh-Mukhsya” in Samay magazine of Times of India group. I am still why more comfortable in such kind of writings surrounding my village ? Is it devoid of variations or full of variations of different dimension?
These are not yet written in detail, which I still desire to write.
“NATURE AND PEOPLE FRINDLY” CIVIL SERVANT,
SUNIL KUMAR IPS, SP NAGAON
Anyway, during these days we are all disturbed with some of the activities of Shri Sunil Kumar , the new occupant as SP, Nagaon. As we all , as neighbors, saw the green and green compound of SP residence, this is not that green any more. The years old Simalu tree, beautiful numbers of mango trees, 10 -15 numbers of betel-nut trees along with neem trees were mercilessly felled for preparation of a so-called garden inside the SP residence. The wide yard of Tennis court where Baba( Devdoot) was invited to play with even to erstwhile SP Shri Lungriading is ploughed and leveled. And above all on the pretext of his privacy, a high wall of wide plastic shed of 25-30 ft approximately, with permanent iron post and frame has been erected just in the rear boundary wall beside our residence . We are here as residents for so many years as neighbors behind this official residence but no SP had complained of any disturbing state of affairs in the name of privacy.
The erection of the shed was opposed and requested verbally and also with a formal appeal directly addressed to Shir Kumar, SP. But as there was no positive response the felling of trees and erection of wall was referred to DGP, through Shri Dilip Bora, DGP, who is personally known to us..
The matter was also known to the press and media perhaps came and shoot the felling of Simalu tree, carrying of the logs and others. But as it is revealed to the public and to the press, and public around, the felling etc was very intelligently and immediately regularized by the SP in the forest Department.
Anyway, the appeal handed over to Shri Sunil Kumar, SP just on 28.04.12, was as under:
To,
Shri Sunil Kumar, IPS,
Superintendent of Police,
Nagaon. 28.04.2012
Dear Sir,
ERECTION OF PROPOSED HIGH-RISE SCREEN IN THE
BOUNDARY OF THE EASTERN SIDE OF
YOUR OFFICIAL RESIDENCE.
REQUEST TO RECONSIDER THE HEIGHT
Respectfully, I have to inform you that I am one the permanent residents of the Gurdwara Road, in the cul-de-sac, just behind your official residence since my birth.
But surprisingly, observing some activities for the erection of temporary high-rise screen of permanent nature , I write here to appeal to reconsider the height of the proposed screen.
Sir, the screen, if erected in the proposed height, besides the visibility hindrance, will certainly be inconvenient in the free air passage in the entire locality and the resident in this area will be in a stuffy condition.
While contacted over phone, you expressed the need of such screen for the privacy of your residence, specially for the guests, parties and other inside activities. In this connection, we have to inform you that this official residence of SP is situated in this location for a very long period, may be from its inception, and we feel to be the proud neighbors of SP. We also have been perhaps behaving like good neighbors since we recall.
The cordial relation of the earlier occupant SPs in several times prevailed in high esteem and spirit and numbers of SPs contributed directly and indirectly for the welfare of the community around. Even some of the SPs, also in recent times, used to call all the neighbors for an introductory session over a cup of tea and we also welcomed most of the SPs from time to time.
We never remember pausing of any disturbances to the inside activities or affairs of the campus of the SP’s residence.
While we appreciate the cleaning of the campus, we object the felling of trees like the old and big Simalu, (which is a refuse to lots of birds like cuckoo, keteki, etc ), numbers of betel- nut trees and most surprisingly the neem trees in the boundary.
We welcome you Sir, and assure you that the privacy of the campus will be honoured and kept undisturbed and therefore the activities of proposed erection of the screen may be cancelled or minimized for a free air passage for all the neighbors behind your residence and oblige.
With regards,
Yours Sincerely,
( SIBANANDA KAKOTI )
Gurdwara Road, Fauzdari Patty,
Nagaon.Ph 03672 230789 and M- 9435060513
Copy Forwarded to The Deputy Commissioner, Nagaon, and DGP, Guwahati for information and necessary action, please.
( SIBANANDA KAKOTI )
This letter yielded nothing, and the wall of plastic shed with iron post and frames was erected and therefore, finally we had to go to the Authority formally, to DC, Nagaon, DGP, Guwahati and Chairman, Town Devolvement Authority, Nagaon, for redressal and justice. A joint petition in Assamese was drafted and was signed by most of the neighbors of our locality, viz Kamakhya Caharan Paul, Sunanda Paul, Ceno Mahanta, Kabita Sakia, Sarbanada Mahanta and myself.
On 07.05.2012, I myself and Shri Srabananda Mahanta, on behalf of the neighbors, met Ashok Babu, IAS, DC, nagaon, formally at his office chamber and handed over the representation. The DC has assured to seek the report from SP, Nagaon , but on the other hand, he enquired about a recent vediography of the SP residence. We told that it may be the press who vediogragphed the irresponsible felling of the old trees inside the campus. But as in the meantime the regularization of the felling in the apex bureaucratic level is done, the DFO reportedly ratified such action and formalized all felling, media could perhaps not made it an issue.
Therefore, even though we are concerned over the felling of the trees, we have to be simply helpless onlookers.
Simultaneously, the high partition wall in the boundary has been erected
We told the DC that the erection of such high-rise wall, besides being an insult to the neighbors, also obstructs the visibility and thoroughfare of air to the year long residents of the locality. we requested him to reconsider his decision but Mr Kumar simply turned a deaf ear to all our request and appeal.
The DC also enquired about any boundary dispute or any kind of encroachment . We simply told that the boundary wall was constructed long back, undisputed. Only the recent construction of high-rise wall above the existing boundary wall blocking the air and visibility of the neighbors is objected. The DC has assured us with an enquiry but he repeatedly asked about the recent vediography, as if, the high wall has became essential to prevent the exposure of the campus for photography etc only.
After coming out from the DC’s chamber we were neither happy nor dejected. The DC seems to be more a bureaucrat with less compassion to a public cause or respect to the public.
I am personally not at all happy. Perhaps nothing positive will be forthcoming as the issue seems to be taken by the top bureaucrats at their egoistic level. He repeatedly emphasized the point of videography of the campus.
I was little disturbed. Why I could not videographed all the episodes!. All these happened during the day time when we were away to our places of work. I would be happy to say DC or others, Yes, I vediographed all the episodes. I videographed the full bloom Simalu tree which was nearly 30yeas old, with hundreds and thousand of red flowers. I videgraphed the full blue sky of flying white cottons from the matured Simalu flowers, Yes, I videgraphed the merciless cutting of the delicate branches of the big trees, I videgraphed more than dozen standing beetle nut trees with red bunches of nuts, I videographed the sweet neem trees with all greens after the first summer rains and Yes, I videographed all the helpless trees, lying in the ruthless ground inside the SP’s official residence. I also videographed the funerals of all the trees in a long convoy of thelas.
Yes, Sir, I vediographed too, the merciless killings of beautiful colored snakes of the erstwhile shrubs of the campus by the ruthless workers inside. I also vediographed the Bulldozers busy, in uprooting the giant roots of the felled trees. Yes, Sir, even though there is no official notification of the campus being a prohibited area for photograph, and if it is an aerial trace pass, arrest me. I will feel happy to be arrested. But unfortunately, I could not tell all these to Shri P. Asok Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Nagaon. Most unfortunately, I could not made all the episodes videographed.
We simply told the DC , we seek justice. It is you to decide and impart.
Now, my beloved Son and Daughter, I am in a fix. I desire to fight it to the last point, even would not mind to be un-redressed. I may even go to the court, file a suit against one Sunil Kumar, a petty SP, and a mere allotee of an official quarter.
My friends and well-wishers are asking me to be careful, I may be harassed directly or indirectly or may be disturbed for a small pretext.
But my daughter and son, you know your father, who always tries to be impartial and dauntless for his lone efforts for upholding truth and justice, mostly alone.
Restoration of justice and civil right is in my conscience.
I always want to object and rise against the social irrationality, simply not bothering, whether paid , delayed or never paid.
But I rise.
Now tell me, should I rise, upright?
Yours loving
Deta
Sunday, September 25, 2011
P.C. Halder and Akhil Gogoi
My Most Dear and loving Simplimoina and Babua,
Long back Mai, you had created a Blog for me in which I had mind to write my daily tweets, as a small part of diary or otherwise, about me, we and my world around. Anyway, courtesy my procrastination, little hesitation to speak on me or lots of other excuses, it was delayed and except my earlier few write-ups and few letters to the editors my Blog has been unattended so far for a long time. Now as my daily list of long planning and with your mother’s full appreciations, whatever I plan and also with little frustrations on me, finally, I made up my mind just to tell you both, both two parts of my little heart, with whom I feel proud to be the father, will share my thoughts, if not daily, but intermittently or may be, frequently. You, specially, Mai, will have now to bear my bad and ‘fantastic’ English!
Mai, you will perhaps remember, the year, 2003, when we all dropped you in I P College , Delhi, a bundle of envelopes pasted with postal stamps were in your pack-up, with a hope we will exchange letters which will be, in future, regarded as letters from Daughter to Father and or from Father to Daughter. We have few precious letters from you, which still your Mon is preserving. The letters were really beautiful with your amazing mixture of all Assamese, English and Hindi. Your addressee, ‘ My Family’, including our doggy Don still reflects the strong bonding which we still are maintaining with all sincerity and spontaneity. In the pack-up of Baba too, we loaded with same sets of stamped envelopes and we are also fortunate parent to have at least one letter, till date, from him for your Mom’s precious record. But his some of the open pages of diaries are unique and according to your Mom these are no less than Chetan Bhagat.
See, if you can still start writing letters, may be occasionally. It is really classic.
Now let me see, what I can do with my effort, according to your Mon, my contacts to the world, trough you, in such unique epistolary form.
I was provoked to write to you just yesterday with two important events in Nagaon, two meetings, one a speech on Ananda Ram Dhekial Phukan memorial lecture by Shri P. C. Halder, the official interlocutor of the terrorist organizations and other a mammoth general meeting at Neherubali of Krishak Mukti Sangarm Samiti, attended by Akhil Gogoi in protest of big dam, transfer of land to Bangaldesh and for the farmers’ right.
NORTH-EAST INDIA : CHALLENGES RESPONSIBIITIES AND OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH
Ananda Ram Dhekial Phukan Memorial lecture By P.C. Halder
As I told once Ananda Ram Dhekial Phukan, a legendary personality in the 19th century Assm dreamnt a modrn Assam, and was one of the few architects of in his contemporary times. Stdied in Culcutta, his thrive to place Assam and the independence of Asamese language is simply laudable. We all owe to him. He lived only for 29 years and during this short span of life he devoted his time for us.
The lecture of P.C.Halder is simply th narration of the present da problems and with sonme speculatiove suggestivities and simply without any practical recommendations. For a diplomats it is only expected. Mai is not surprising that Shri Pillai recently, just after his retirement from his service realized that the fasting of irom Sharmila in Manipur is justified and the Spcial Armed Force Act may be repealed from Maipur. Our poet DGP Harekrishna Deka too realized the human righ just after his retirement from his service. Anyway, you will Dhekial Phukan in due course, but I just feel that both of you are now 25 plus and 21 plus and you may recall your srvcice to the State. Our life must be meaningful for the cause of our being. Is not it ?
AKHIL GOGOI’S PUBLIC METING
Akhil Gogoi is only force in present day Assam now, who is fighting for the real cause of Assam and is organizing various awareness meeting in most of the townships of Assam. The meeting of Nagaon was attended by unprecedented gathering and was a success. But the bureaucrats and politician have there own logics to prevent such democratic protests. The respect to the protester is lot in oblivion in Assam. Had there been some police action, neither Anna Hajare nor Kejriwal and any others would have been brutally assaulted. But in Assam , everything is possible. Akhil Gogoi is lathicharged, four policemen carried him in most undignified manner publicly, tear gas shell was sprayed just directly to his face and was virtually dragged y the Police. The respect to the protestor or for that matter to the civil society is almost a total lost.
We only wish, let good sense prevail.
Yours loving
Deta
23.11.2011
Long back Mai, you had created a Blog for me in which I had mind to write my daily tweets, as a small part of diary or otherwise, about me, we and my world around. Anyway, courtesy my procrastination, little hesitation to speak on me or lots of other excuses, it was delayed and except my earlier few write-ups and few letters to the editors my Blog has been unattended so far for a long time. Now as my daily list of long planning and with your mother’s full appreciations, whatever I plan and also with little frustrations on me, finally, I made up my mind just to tell you both, both two parts of my little heart, with whom I feel proud to be the father, will share my thoughts, if not daily, but intermittently or may be, frequently. You, specially, Mai, will have now to bear my bad and ‘fantastic’ English!
Mai, you will perhaps remember, the year, 2003, when we all dropped you in I P College , Delhi, a bundle of envelopes pasted with postal stamps were in your pack-up, with a hope we will exchange letters which will be, in future, regarded as letters from Daughter to Father and or from Father to Daughter. We have few precious letters from you, which still your Mon is preserving. The letters were really beautiful with your amazing mixture of all Assamese, English and Hindi. Your addressee, ‘ My Family’, including our doggy Don still reflects the strong bonding which we still are maintaining with all sincerity and spontaneity. In the pack-up of Baba too, we loaded with same sets of stamped envelopes and we are also fortunate parent to have at least one letter, till date, from him for your Mom’s precious record. But his some of the open pages of diaries are unique and according to your Mom these are no less than Chetan Bhagat.
See, if you can still start writing letters, may be occasionally. It is really classic.
Now let me see, what I can do with my effort, according to your Mon, my contacts to the world, trough you, in such unique epistolary form.
I was provoked to write to you just yesterday with two important events in Nagaon, two meetings, one a speech on Ananda Ram Dhekial Phukan memorial lecture by Shri P. C. Halder, the official interlocutor of the terrorist organizations and other a mammoth general meeting at Neherubali of Krishak Mukti Sangarm Samiti, attended by Akhil Gogoi in protest of big dam, transfer of land to Bangaldesh and for the farmers’ right.
NORTH-EAST INDIA : CHALLENGES RESPONSIBIITIES AND OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH
Ananda Ram Dhekial Phukan Memorial lecture By P.C. Halder
As I told once Ananda Ram Dhekial Phukan, a legendary personality in the 19th century Assm dreamnt a modrn Assam, and was one of the few architects of in his contemporary times. Stdied in Culcutta, his thrive to place Assam and the independence of Asamese language is simply laudable. We all owe to him. He lived only for 29 years and during this short span of life he devoted his time for us.
The lecture of P.C.Halder is simply th narration of the present da problems and with sonme speculatiove suggestivities and simply without any practical recommendations. For a diplomats it is only expected. Mai is not surprising that Shri Pillai recently, just after his retirement from his service realized that the fasting of irom Sharmila in Manipur is justified and the Spcial Armed Force Act may be repealed from Maipur. Our poet DGP Harekrishna Deka too realized the human righ just after his retirement from his service. Anyway, you will Dhekial Phukan in due course, but I just feel that both of you are now 25 plus and 21 plus and you may recall your srvcice to the State. Our life must be meaningful for the cause of our being. Is not it ?
AKHIL GOGOI’S PUBLIC METING
Akhil Gogoi is only force in present day Assam now, who is fighting for the real cause of Assam and is organizing various awareness meeting in most of the townships of Assam. The meeting of Nagaon was attended by unprecedented gathering and was a success. But the bureaucrats and politician have there own logics to prevent such democratic protests. The respect to the protester is lot in oblivion in Assam. Had there been some police action, neither Anna Hajare nor Kejriwal and any others would have been brutally assaulted. But in Assam , everything is possible. Akhil Gogoi is lathicharged, four policemen carried him in most undignified manner publicly, tear gas shell was sprayed just directly to his face and was virtually dragged y the Police. The respect to the protestor or for that matter to the civil society is almost a total lost.
We only wish, let good sense prevail.
Yours loving
Deta
23.11.2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Letter to the Editor, The Sentinel, Guwahati 12.05.2011
Expectations of an Ordinary Voter
The countdown is nearing zero. The results of the elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly will finally come out on Friday the 13th of May.
What were the prime issues of this elections? Price rise, corruption and withering of political values. We are all talking of a non-corrupt government for the welfare and the cause of the commoner. As in all earlier elections the manifestoes of all political parties, including the Congress too, have assured a corruption-free State. We are well-experienced with such manifestoes and their implementation. Therefore this year, whoever comes to power, a total corruption-free Assam, is still a faraway dream. But still we hope that proper steps will be initiated to curb this menace of corruption.
Besides, we also have several other burning issues. The peace process, so far initiated by some of the citizen groups and intellectuals of the society and also by the State and the Central governments, have come as a ray of hope. But the people expect meaningful solutions to deal with the core issues along with the various other issues plaguing the State. We’re looking forward to peaceful talks and negotiations.
The development rhetoric has now become routine. Development is the foremost job, the duty and responsibility of any government in power. Construction of roads, bridges should not at all be construed as an achievement by any government.
Value-based politics and overall protection of democratic norms is the need of the hour. We do not want to see pandemonium and uproar in the Legislative Assembly. We do not want to hear about any horse-trading nor see any unparliamentary behaviour among the elected representatives – hitting each other with below-the-belt comments and speeches, fully devoid of any taste and respect towards a colleague and making a mockery of themselves on the floor of the House. We want an end to this.
With the ruling party behaving more like zamindars and expecting all opposition parties to be at their mercy a congenial atmosphere can hardly prevail. This vanity has travelled down the line resulting in the rise of local mafia and musclemen in the ground level too.
What is needed now is the prevalence of social and political tolerance among all. The political party in power is meant to bring about development. The other parties, not in power, need to be vigilant and take efforts for the equal distribution of the benefits due to the people of the State.
Dignity to the civil society is highly expected. The rise of civil society should be respected by all the political parties. Protection and safeguarding of democratic values for the equal growth of the people, irrespective of political parties and ideologies is always expected from a politician and a political party, whether it is in power or not.
Sibananda Kakoti, Fauzdari Patty, Nagaon.
The countdown is nearing zero. The results of the elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly will finally come out on Friday the 13th of May.
What were the prime issues of this elections? Price rise, corruption and withering of political values. We are all talking of a non-corrupt government for the welfare and the cause of the commoner. As in all earlier elections the manifestoes of all political parties, including the Congress too, have assured a corruption-free State. We are well-experienced with such manifestoes and their implementation. Therefore this year, whoever comes to power, a total corruption-free Assam, is still a faraway dream. But still we hope that proper steps will be initiated to curb this menace of corruption.
Besides, we also have several other burning issues. The peace process, so far initiated by some of the citizen groups and intellectuals of the society and also by the State and the Central governments, have come as a ray of hope. But the people expect meaningful solutions to deal with the core issues along with the various other issues plaguing the State. We’re looking forward to peaceful talks and negotiations.
The development rhetoric has now become routine. Development is the foremost job, the duty and responsibility of any government in power. Construction of roads, bridges should not at all be construed as an achievement by any government.
Value-based politics and overall protection of democratic norms is the need of the hour. We do not want to see pandemonium and uproar in the Legislative Assembly. We do not want to hear about any horse-trading nor see any unparliamentary behaviour among the elected representatives – hitting each other with below-the-belt comments and speeches, fully devoid of any taste and respect towards a colleague and making a mockery of themselves on the floor of the House. We want an end to this.
With the ruling party behaving more like zamindars and expecting all opposition parties to be at their mercy a congenial atmosphere can hardly prevail. This vanity has travelled down the line resulting in the rise of local mafia and musclemen in the ground level too.
What is needed now is the prevalence of social and political tolerance among all. The political party in power is meant to bring about development. The other parties, not in power, need to be vigilant and take efforts for the equal distribution of the benefits due to the people of the State.
Dignity to the civil society is highly expected. The rise of civil society should be respected by all the political parties. Protection and safeguarding of democratic values for the equal growth of the people, irrespective of political parties and ideologies is always expected from a politician and a political party, whether it is in power or not.
Sibananda Kakoti, Fauzdari Patty, Nagaon.
Monday, April 18, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, PUBLISHED ON 09.04.2011
ROLE OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION
Post T.N Sessan Election Commission of India is gaining its role-clarity ascertained more and more as one of the most powerful, impartial and strong Constitutional entity in India. This time, in Assam, the role of the Election Commission is highly laudable. The present Election Commission in maintaining its legacy with high spirit and competency beyond doubts. Except, perhaps the big road shows, by two of the existing Ministers, actions of which are immediately initiated, all are seem smooth till date. The cities and towns, even the suburban and rural village centers are clean without much ado on election exhibitionism. The recent import of South-Indian-style-cut-out culture, to the voters of Assam, mostly by the ruling party and also by some of the other parties, could not be experienced in a big way. The low key offices are placed inside the residential boundaries with limited banner and posters. Even the sound pollution with PAS too is limited. The effort of the Election Commission is to make the Election to be in the minds of the voters not in the peripheral show-biz. It seems creating an impact in the society only for the strong vigil and impartial implementation of laid down rules and instructions by the Election Commission.
For such unpolluted atmosphere from disproportionate posters and banners, big life-size cut-outs of candidates and their mentors, high voltage sounds, big convoys of bikes or cars, and specially for helping for creation of a candid, peaceful and silent mind of the voters to decide, the Election Commission really deserves credit.
We expect more and more vigilance and strict implementation of rules, specially in the election days, in the polling stations and otherwise, in movement of doubtful vehicles, transaction of so called overnight bribes, direct or indirect pressures by the local goons, touts till the last EVM is counted.
But unfortunately, the speeches of the candidates and most of the leaders are very low, where perhaps the Commission has not in full control. These are neither on policies nor in the manifestoes. These are all playing to the galleries. Most of the speeches are tasteless and devoid of values and ethics. These are of course personal mindset of the individuals. Two major ministers are concentrating mainly with the so called secret-killing or on the personal lives of the opponents. Healthy debates are totally missing. Mutual respect for the conservation and restoration of the democratic values are not at all seen.
The petty citizens including the Election Commission are perhaps the helpless viewers only.
And we get the representatives we deserve!
Yours faithfully,
Sibananda Kakoti
Nagaon, 782 001, Assam
Not for publication 9435060513
Post T.N Sessan Election Commission of India is gaining its role-clarity ascertained more and more as one of the most powerful, impartial and strong Constitutional entity in India. This time, in Assam, the role of the Election Commission is highly laudable. The present Election Commission in maintaining its legacy with high spirit and competency beyond doubts. Except, perhaps the big road shows, by two of the existing Ministers, actions of which are immediately initiated, all are seem smooth till date. The cities and towns, even the suburban and rural village centers are clean without much ado on election exhibitionism. The recent import of South-Indian-style-cut-out culture, to the voters of Assam, mostly by the ruling party and also by some of the other parties, could not be experienced in a big way. The low key offices are placed inside the residential boundaries with limited banner and posters. Even the sound pollution with PAS too is limited. The effort of the Election Commission is to make the Election to be in the minds of the voters not in the peripheral show-biz. It seems creating an impact in the society only for the strong vigil and impartial implementation of laid down rules and instructions by the Election Commission.
For such unpolluted atmosphere from disproportionate posters and banners, big life-size cut-outs of candidates and their mentors, high voltage sounds, big convoys of bikes or cars, and specially for helping for creation of a candid, peaceful and silent mind of the voters to decide, the Election Commission really deserves credit.
We expect more and more vigilance and strict implementation of rules, specially in the election days, in the polling stations and otherwise, in movement of doubtful vehicles, transaction of so called overnight bribes, direct or indirect pressures by the local goons, touts till the last EVM is counted.
But unfortunately, the speeches of the candidates and most of the leaders are very low, where perhaps the Commission has not in full control. These are neither on policies nor in the manifestoes. These are all playing to the galleries. Most of the speeches are tasteless and devoid of values and ethics. These are of course personal mindset of the individuals. Two major ministers are concentrating mainly with the so called secret-killing or on the personal lives of the opponents. Healthy debates are totally missing. Mutual respect for the conservation and restoration of the democratic values are not at all seen.
The petty citizens including the Election Commission are perhaps the helpless viewers only.
And we get the representatives we deserve!
Yours faithfully,
Sibananda Kakoti
Nagaon, 782 001, Assam
Not for publication 9435060513
Writeup published in The telegraph dtd -04.04.2011 as Guest Column
POLITICS OF RESPECT
Sibananda Kakoti
From the neo Vainsavite movement in the 15th Century , the independent Kingdoms of Guva and other Tiwas , the days of Miles Bronson for resurrection of Assamese language, the confident roles in the pre- independence struggle movement for freedom and so many other important phenomena to the Assam Movement of recent times, the greater district of Nowgong, comprising with present day Nagaon and Marigaon districts, has been the epicenter of most of the major happenings in the life-stream of Assam till today with all its contributions in literary, social, intellectual and political fields. But most unfortunately, the diversified problems faced by this middle part of Assam are still not properly redressed. The focus and concentration was not even at all prominent with so many veteran leaders including one-time most powerful Central Minister and INC President Devakanta Barua to Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, a Chief minister of full two different terms in recent years. The expectations remain unfulfilled and developments are not yet upto the mark. Problems remain perennial and unresolved. As faced by the whole of Assam these greater parts have suffered a lot for the illegal infiltration causing a serious demographical imbalance. Boarder sealing and simultaneous efforts of cultural integration are the need of the hour. The efforts to stop the erosion of the Brahamaputra, conservation of forests and its resources, balance of environment are highly needed for the long term development. While the whole of the area is the most fertile one, the northern and the southern parts are granaries . The horticultural growth along with the pisciculture is immense. But long term efforts for large Green House, Cold Storage, and processing centers both by the Govt or PPP are not at all initiated. A timely plan for capturing the large yields in scientific manner for the long term use and packaging is highly required, which will create direct and indirect employment opportunities in the area immensely .
Since independence, lots of big promises were heard, projects were proposed, but reasons not known, all were shifted finally to elsewhere. A veterinary College was promised and also started functioning but finally was shifted to Guwahati. An IIT was proposed and reported survey was also done at Missa which was finally shifted to North Guwahati. Permanent capital was rumored, a Paper Mill died before it started. A flourished Sugar Mill is in a dying state due to the lack of Govt support and management. An Airdrome is still to be conceived. Such important infrastructural growth is not at all visible in the area and therefore except a little rise of middle class and salaried people no such remarkable development is visible.
An apparent development of infrastructures in some of the constituencies, courtesy National Missions like PMGSY or NRHM etc, are seen which too perhaps needs a balance in distribution. In some parts of the districts these are horrible.
The long term conservation of socio- intellectual growth too, in this area is highly needed. Besides the development as a tourist spot, Batadrava, the birth place of Sankardeva, proper infrastructure with paraphernalia and qualified guidance, an important and scientific study centre with comparative studies of Vaisnavite philosophy of National Standard is most essential as a long term planning. The so called research centers, at present, are not at all in proper shape.
Nagaon too, is one of the integral parts of the peace process, so far initiated by the social intellectuals, some civil society groups, the State and the Central Govts, has shown some rays of hope. A prominent role of this area for a meaningful dealing on the core issues, talks also with others who are still remaining in the deep forest or elsewhere, is much more expected by all. We always look forward to a peaceful society with mutual respect also with equally distributed overall growth..
Besides all these dreams for development, what is more needed is the social and political tolerance which seems lacking amongst most of the political parties. Nagaon seems to be the worst sufferer. The political party in power is always for the services and the other parties, not in power, not necessarily are simply the opposition only. The respect to the opinion of the opposition is always for the healthy democratic values which always deserves respect which seem to be missing day by day.
A vigilant society takes efforts for equal distributions of the rights and benefits offered by the State. The rise of civil society is always important to us. Respect by any political parties to the civil society for the impartial growth is highly expected and compassion is always desirable.
Therefore irrespective of political parties and ideologies, for the equality in the society around, we always expect the respectful protection and safeguard to democratic values from the politicians and political parties, be it in power or not in power.
Sibananda Kakoti is short story writer and a citizen
kaktis@gmail.com
Sibananda Kakoti
From the neo Vainsavite movement in the 15th Century , the independent Kingdoms of Guva and other Tiwas , the days of Miles Bronson for resurrection of Assamese language, the confident roles in the pre- independence struggle movement for freedom and so many other important phenomena to the Assam Movement of recent times, the greater district of Nowgong, comprising with present day Nagaon and Marigaon districts, has been the epicenter of most of the major happenings in the life-stream of Assam till today with all its contributions in literary, social, intellectual and political fields. But most unfortunately, the diversified problems faced by this middle part of Assam are still not properly redressed. The focus and concentration was not even at all prominent with so many veteran leaders including one-time most powerful Central Minister and INC President Devakanta Barua to Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, a Chief minister of full two different terms in recent years. The expectations remain unfulfilled and developments are not yet upto the mark. Problems remain perennial and unresolved. As faced by the whole of Assam these greater parts have suffered a lot for the illegal infiltration causing a serious demographical imbalance. Boarder sealing and simultaneous efforts of cultural integration are the need of the hour. The efforts to stop the erosion of the Brahamaputra, conservation of forests and its resources, balance of environment are highly needed for the long term development. While the whole of the area is the most fertile one, the northern and the southern parts are granaries . The horticultural growth along with the pisciculture is immense. But long term efforts for large Green House, Cold Storage, and processing centers both by the Govt or PPP are not at all initiated. A timely plan for capturing the large yields in scientific manner for the long term use and packaging is highly required, which will create direct and indirect employment opportunities in the area immensely .
Since independence, lots of big promises were heard, projects were proposed, but reasons not known, all were shifted finally to elsewhere. A veterinary College was promised and also started functioning but finally was shifted to Guwahati. An IIT was proposed and reported survey was also done at Missa which was finally shifted to North Guwahati. Permanent capital was rumored, a Paper Mill died before it started. A flourished Sugar Mill is in a dying state due to the lack of Govt support and management. An Airdrome is still to be conceived. Such important infrastructural growth is not at all visible in the area and therefore except a little rise of middle class and salaried people no such remarkable development is visible.
An apparent development of infrastructures in some of the constituencies, courtesy National Missions like PMGSY or NRHM etc, are seen which too perhaps needs a balance in distribution. In some parts of the districts these are horrible.
The long term conservation of socio- intellectual growth too, in this area is highly needed. Besides the development as a tourist spot, Batadrava, the birth place of Sankardeva, proper infrastructure with paraphernalia and qualified guidance, an important and scientific study centre with comparative studies of Vaisnavite philosophy of National Standard is most essential as a long term planning. The so called research centers, at present, are not at all in proper shape.
Nagaon too, is one of the integral parts of the peace process, so far initiated by the social intellectuals, some civil society groups, the State and the Central Govts, has shown some rays of hope. A prominent role of this area for a meaningful dealing on the core issues, talks also with others who are still remaining in the deep forest or elsewhere, is much more expected by all. We always look forward to a peaceful society with mutual respect also with equally distributed overall growth..
Besides all these dreams for development, what is more needed is the social and political tolerance which seems lacking amongst most of the political parties. Nagaon seems to be the worst sufferer. The political party in power is always for the services and the other parties, not in power, not necessarily are simply the opposition only. The respect to the opinion of the opposition is always for the healthy democratic values which always deserves respect which seem to be missing day by day.
A vigilant society takes efforts for equal distributions of the rights and benefits offered by the State. The rise of civil society is always important to us. Respect by any political parties to the civil society for the impartial growth is highly expected and compassion is always desirable.
Therefore irrespective of political parties and ideologies, for the equality in the society around, we always expect the respectful protection and safeguard to democratic values from the politicians and political parties, be it in power or not in power.
Sibananda Kakoti is short story writer and a citizen
kaktis@gmail.com
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