[Reader-list] help spread the news: action against corruption in assam

[Uddipana Goswami]

dear all,

a group of independent, free-thinking individuals have come together under
the banner of 'supporting akhil gogoi' to launch a series of programs
against corrupt politicians and to popularize th RTI in assam. i have
included a note from the founder of the group, aryama dutta saikia, below
this mail. your support and solidarity will be greatly appreciated,

thanks and regards,
uddipana

*PRESS RELEASE*



*Events: Anti-Corruption Vigils*

   1. Silent peaceful black Arm-band vigil to mourn the corruption in Assam:
   Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, Aug 8, 3 pm- 5 pm
   2. Silent peaceful candlelight vigil to mourn the corruption in Assam:
   Near Dighali Pukhuri, Guwahati, Aug 8, 7 pm- 9 pm
   3. Silent peaceful candlelight vigil to mourn the corruption in Assam:
   Swahid Bhawan, Nagaon, Aug 8, 7 pm- 9 pm
   4. Silent peaceful candlelight vigil to mourn the corruption in Assam:
   Millennium Park, Jorhat, Aug 8, 7 pm- 9 pm



At the very outset, I would like to state that we have no political
affiliations. We do not belong to any one common political party or
organization. Then who are we? We are some of the educated youth of Assam
who, till now, have remained silent spectators. It is not that we did not
care about the situation in my country. It's just that we had given up.



Then, why are we suddenly showing so much interest? Tough question! But let
me try to explain it. There is no ONE specific moment. I guess it has been a
build up over the years. For years, we have been taken for a ride by one
political party after another. The politicians have looted us to such an
extent that today Assam is one of the poorest states in India, while the
politicians of Assam are probably some of the richest people in Assam. And,
for years, we have been complaining about corruption and saying "Why doesn't
someone do something?" We waited and waited and waited. But, that miraculous
"someone" did not come to our rescue. In fact, every time a common man such
as a Manjunath or a Satyendra Dubey emerges, the opposing forces drown his
voice. It is unrealistic and unfair to expect one Akhil Gogoi to eradicate
corruption in Assam. Why should it be a one man’s war? It is then that we
realised that we- ALL of us -will have to be that "someone" who will have to
do "something". Afterall, it will be more difficult to drown the voices of a
million people. The common man will now have to do something 'uncommon'.
Now, a time has come when millions of common citizens like me are ready to
stand up and say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH." If we do not do that now, the next
generation will never forgive us. Here, I quote from the Bhagvad Gita - "The
one who tolerates injustice is as guilty as the one who does injustice." We
have decided to not take part in this injustice anymore. We are raising our
voice against corruption in our beloved motherland, Assam.


I had created the page "Supporting Akhil Gogoi" on Facebook in May 2010,
while I was at home, away from work, recovering from a surgery. I had
created the page to only inform some of my friends about how Mr. Akhil Gogoi
is utilizing RTI (Right to Information) Act in Assam to expose scandals and
misuse of tax-payers' money by corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. However,
in less than 3 months, the number of people on the page increased to 1550!
Now, of course, this page is no longer just mine. It has now become a place
where a lot of like-minded people like me raise our voices against
corruption. This is the place from where we, the educated youth of Assam,
have decided to stand by our motherland. But raising our voice is not
enough. Some action also has to be taken. But not just some emotional
knee-jerk reaction to the current events. We will have to carry this
forward. This is just the beginning.



On Sunday, August 8, at a lot of us will be gathering to participate in
peaceful silent vigils or a "mouno xuko xobha" to mourn the death of honesty
among Assam politicians. THIS WILL BE A NON-POLITICAL GATHERING. WE WILL BE
PROTESTING ONLY AND ONLY AGAINST CORRUPTION AMONG POLITICIANS IN ASSAM. We
do not care who the ruling party is, as long as they work for the common
people in a selfless manner. In our gathering, there will be no speeches and
no "naaras (slogans)". Afterall, we are just a bunch of common people; we
are not doing this to get votes!



I have always strongly believed that the media can act as an effective
catalyst to any positive social cause. It has the power and the authority to
do so. And, that's why I am writing to you. I request you to help us spread
the word about these vigils. I request you to help us send a message to
corrupt politicians that we are not going to be cheated anymore. India is a
democracy. If we, the common people, have the right to vote people to power,
we also have the right to keep the politicians in check.


*I also want to send out an appeal to each person of Assam.* On August 8, at
7pm, wherever you are - whether in Assam or outside Assam, join us. If you
do not like corruption, then switch off the lights in your house and light a
few candles outside your door. All of us together will have to send out a
strong message to the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats - "It's NOT "okay"
to be corrupt,”Everyone is corrupt" is not a valid justification. We DO NOT
like corruption! Stop insulting our intelligence. Stop testing our
patience!"



Anticipating your support and thanking you in advance,



Regards,

Aryama Dutta Saikia





*RECENT DEVELOPMENT: *



Yesterday, our Supporting Akhil Gogoi page on Facebook has been temporarily
blocked. It's surprising because one needs more than 100 "reports" for an FB
page to be blocked! Facebook has said that they will review the content of
the page. If Facebook does not find anything wrong, then the page will be
reinstated in 24-48 hours. We are currently working on finding a safer and
more permanent forum for action and interaction.


-- 
Uddipana Goswami
www.jajabori-mon.blogspot.com