I want to say that Madhusree's book is a MUST-read for everyone on this
list.
Its details of the history, the issues, the people, and the travesty of
mismanagement
in the Andamans -- as well as the rapidly shrinking window for action to
save what's
left of the islands...well, I am in awe of her accomplishment. And envious
of the time she
has spent on the islands.

I thank you, Madhusree, for this wonderful work.

Aimee

Aimee Liu
Author of CLOUD MOUNTAIN & FACE &
FLASH HOUSE (Warner Books, 2003)
WWW.AIMEELIU.NET


-----Original Message-----
From: Madhusree Mukerjee [mailto:lopchu@...]
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 12:43 PM
To: andamanicobar@...
Subject: [andamanicobar] introduction


I am a journalist. I started out as a physicist and then worked at
Scientific American magazine for a few years, at which time I became
interested in the Andamanese. My book on them, The Land of Naked People:
Encounters with Stone Age Islanders, is just out. It is a nonfiction
account, using journalism, history, anthropology and other sources to tell
their story.

Having visited the islands a number of times, I have a fair idea of what
works and what doesn't work. I'm especially interested in seeing an overhaul
of the welfare system, which is miserable, especially in remote settlements
such as Dugong Creek. I'd like to see a great deal more accountability in
the system, so that welfare staff who molest, push alcohol, and otherwise
abuse their powers actually get punished and fired, not just transferred to
another settlement, where they continue as before. The welfare staff need to
be trained, motivated, and answerable to a single, dynamic person, who will
have ultimate responsibility.

Madhusree


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




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