PM’S SPEECH ON THE INDEPENCENCE DAY AND RISING INTOLERANCE

PM’S SPEECH ON THE INDEPENCENCE DAY AND RISING INTOLERANCE

For some obvious reasons, though the values of independence has since been shaped differently, the Independence day, the 15th August is still carrying a dignified nostalgia to me. The childhood celebration of I-Day in our own residence under the aegis of our parent and the celebration in school are indelible memory till today. I wonder how the day was celebrated first in the big courtyard of our small house in the remote village, where the tricolour was unfolded either by our father or by mother or even in rotation by all of our brothers and sister. Speech were prepared and delivered by our brothers. Some of the neighbors too joined in the morning celebration of chanting of choral of Jana Gana Mana… . The celebration was fast as we had to rush to our respective schools for other celebration.
Besides our morning celebration, the speech of the Prime Minister from Red fort , Delhi, broadcast at Radio, was also somewhat of a compulsory exercise directly or indirectly imposed by our father. The radio was kept in the courtyard and we all were to listen to the Prime Minister.
The habit is still on in me, now, of course, the speech with the parade. Courtesy, television and electronic media. Even a routine affair, it always sounds, to me, like a general assessment of the balance sheet of strengths and weaknesses of the Nation in the air by the CEO of the country, the Prime Minister.
But besides the normal yearly review and accounts of the Nation, the Prime Minister Dr Monomohon Singh’s speech of this I-Day was really a thought provoking one with his serious concern over the rapid rise of falling standard of the debate and increase in tasteless arguments. From the rampart of Lal Killa he helplessly shared this with the citizen in his address to the Nation. He said “I would also like to say something which is related to our glorious cultural traditions. The use of harsh and unpleasant words in our political discourse has increased in recent days. This is against our traditions of generosity, humility and tolerance. Criticism has a place of its own in a democracy and in a progressive society. However, criticism should not be undignified. We should have the capacity to reconcile opposite points of view on important issues through debate and discussion.”
Most unfortunately, this state of affairs is simply not pertaining to the ‘political discourses’ only . After long 63rd years of independence we now-a days independently enjoy using our such liberty in all the fields of political, social , literary world where we are simply full independent with almost in zero tolerance.
Let our society be independent from such ‘independence’!
Thank you, Mr Prime Minister.

Dr Hiren Gahain’s meeting with Prime Minister

Today 21.06.2010, a team lead by Dr Hiren Gohain will meet Prime Minister Monomohon Sing for the modalities of proposed talk with ULFA and Government. The is the out come of the effort made by the people of Assam for initiation of peace talk. The right thinkers of all Assam is eagerly waiting for a peaceful and respectable settlement. The sentiment and psyche of the people of Assam is to be honored and the protection must be guarded. The diluted credibility has to restore and the peace in true spirit have to be maintained. The team is well chosen by Dr Gohin except Shri Hiranya kr Bhattacharjee about whom I have some reservations.
The move has since been initiated . For such a move the whole of Assam looks only to a selfless patriot to Dr Hiren Gohain, and to whom else !

Dr Hiren Gohain and Akademi

The debate now seems to be clear. The appontnemt to Dr Gohain was nt appraised transparantly and therefore with the scholastic simplicity Dr Gohain never thoght of the translation of some anthology pre edited by somone else. The LAC and Akademi should nt have prposed like this . On the otherhand an independent assignment was desirable.
Even now it is a quality pepduction with DR Gohain's scholarship only . The debate should end here and readers should not be depriived of an important publication.

Sahitya Akademi and Dr Hiren Gohain

SAHITYA AKADEMI AND DR HIREN GOHAIN

Even without knowing the proper imbroglio of technicality the way Dr Hiren Gohain is appointed as the Translator-editor or the Editor of the recent controversial publication of Sahitya Akademi's Assamese Short story collection, the " Spendour in the Grass ", it is simply evident that the Language Advisory Committee (LAC ) of Akademi only is primarily responsible for such kind of humiliation to such an eminent and most respectful Assamese scholar of this time, Dr Hiren Gohain. The LAC simply was callous and irresponsible in handling a person of Dr Gohain stature. It is most unfortunate. The humiliation made by Akademi is only perhaps a recommendation from the LAC, which is the apex decision making body for the Assamese language. And accordingly, Sahitya Akademi has implemented under the direction of the LAC only. But Dr Ramkumar Mukhapadhyay, Secretary, Eastern Zone, Sahitya Akademi too, for his long association in the affairs of Akademi and Assamese language and literature, must be knowing Dr Hiren Gohain's scholarship for which he should have been review strictly the assignment of Dr Hiren Gohain in this project and Dr Gohain's locas standi should have been appraised to him in transparent manner. Such non transparency costs the Assamese intelligentsia and readers experiencing an unholy, tasteless and embarrassing controversy resulting probable withdrawals of some of the short stories and who knows may lead to the floor of the Court and finally a deprival of a quality publication coming to light. It is highly unfortunate and deplorable. The LAC and Akademi should make its stand public and clear. We expect the formation of LAC is also to be non controversial in future for better and unbiased deal and decision for keeping the dignity of Assamese language and Sahitya Akademi high.
We also appeal to all concern including Dr Gohain to deal the matter with sense of respect, compassion and amnesty.