Dear Friends,
Over the last week we have been keeping you updated on the developments
regarding the seminar on the Jarawa that is being organised as per the
orders of the Calcutta High Court. What is happening is scandalous and the
farce continues.
Our communications to the authorities that the way the seminar is being
conducted is violative of the letter and spirit of the court's order and not
in the interest of the Jarawa has not cut much ice. The local administration
has washed its hands off the issue saying that the responsibility lies with
the Central Government in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA). The local
administration officials themselves were unaware that the dates fixed were
April 7 & 8.
The person in charge of the seminar in the MTA is Joint Secretary Samarendra
Chatterjee.
Samir spoke to him yesterday and expressed our concerns, regarding the short
time available and the fact that not many people will be able to
participate. Did not make much difference either.
So the final status is that the seminar is being held on April 7 & 8 in
Calcutta. The venue (can you guess it? ) is the five (maybe six) star Taj
Bengal. There is a list of 31 people who have been invited for the seminar.
I am taking the liberty here of putting down this entire list with their
affiliations. This is the broad break up of the list of invitees: 2
litigants, 6 members of the expert committee whose report is to be discussed
and debated; 4 serving bureaucrats, 4 serving with the Anthropological
Survey of India (ASI) ; 5 retired from the ASI; 4 are practicing
Anthropologists, outside the Govt.,and 3 whom even the government does not
know how to contact.
Also please bear in mind that this is in response to directions of the court
that clearly says, "...the Central Government shall arrange seminars and
open discussions of the different experts, national and international on the
line, anthropologists, sociologists and others as also individuals and
non-governmental organisations having knowledge and experience in the
matter, inviting them by issuing public notification in widely circulated
newspapers and sending them letters of invitation.."
The invitees are as follows:
1) Ms. Shyamoli Ganguly, Port Blair, Litigant in the case
2) Samir Acharya, Society for Andaman Nicobar Ecology, Port Blair. He is an
intervenor in the petition
3) Som Naidu, Ex - Secretary, Andaman Primitive Tribes Welfare Association,
Port Blair. ( He was a member of the Expert Committee)
4) Secretary, Tribal Welfare, A&N Administration, Port Blair (Member of the
Expert Committee) 5) Dr. K.B.Saxena, New Delhi (Member of the Expert
Committee)
6) Dr. Mrs. Namita Ali, Director of Health Services, A&N Administration.
Port Blair (Member of Expert Committee)
7) Dr. RK Bhattacharya, (member of expert committee)
8) Dr. Mrs. Indira Chakravarthy, All India Institute of Hygiene and Public
Health (member of expert committee)
9) Sri SA Awaradi, Director Tribal Welfare, A&N Administration, Port Blair
(member of expert committeee)
10) Sri TN Pandit, New Delhi (Retd. from the ASI
11) Prof RS Mann, New Delhi (Retd. from the ASI)
12) Dr. MK Raha, Kolkata (Retd. from the ASI)
13) Dr. JK Sarkar (Retd. from the ASI)
14) Dr. Vishvajit Pandya, Ahmedabad
15) Prof. TS Naidu, Dept. of Anthropology, Pondicherry University
16) Dr. Shiva Togh Das (no affiliation or contact address given)
17) Dr. VS Upadhyay, Ranchi (no affiliation or area of work mentioned)
18) Prof. VS Singh, Dept. of Anthropology, Allahabad Univ.
19) Prof. V Sadarshan, Dept of Anthropology, Madras Univ
20) Dr. D Venkatesan, Directorate of Census Operations, Chennai
21) Dr. Sri Nathan, Anthropological Survey of India, Nagpur
22) Sri Umesh Kumar, ASI, Port Blair
23) Dr. Jagannath Das (no affiliation or contact address given)
24) Dr. SB Chakraborty, Kolkata (former ASI)
25) Prof. Anande Bhanu, Dept. of Anthropology, Kozhikode
26) Dr.V.K.Tandon, ASI, Dehradun
27) Dr.J.M.Naidu, (no affiliation or contact address given)
28) Dr. J.Parthasarthy, Director, Tribal Research Institute, Ooty
29) Dr.V.R.Rao, ASI, Kolkata
30) R.S.Bandhopadhyay. Backward Classes Welfare Dept,. Govt. of West Bengal,
31) Dr.M.K. Chowdhuri, Director, Cultural Research Institute, Govt. of West
Bengal
There is serious concern that little of value will come out of the seminar.
We also believe that we will now have to go to the court to point out the
violations of its orders and request for a date to be fixed in the future to
do justice to the whole thing. We will keep you informed of the developments
that take place.
In the meanwhile there is an urgent request for members on this group. In
case you know the contact phone nos. email, fax numbers of any of the
individuals who are mentioned above, please immediately send that to me.
best wishes
pankaj
C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239
Dear Pradeep,
Sorry for the delayed response- was not checking the groups mail for a while. I
think there has been a misunderstanding- my fault- I was a bit cryptic in
writing my introduction. I worked ten years ago (not FOR ten years) on the
negrito tribals in the Andamans. I was with ANET (MCBT)and the project was
sponsored by IGSSS. I wrote a status report on the Jarawa and Onges which Pankaj
says was useful during the Supreme Court ruling. I also spent a lot of time on
the reefs, sailing interisland in a teacup of a boat, along with the ANET guys
who were looking for the best diving sites in and around South Andamans in those
days. Regretfully I havent had much to do with the islands since. I am basically
a marine biologist. I work as a Scientist with the Indian Council of Agriculture
Research (MoA) in one of their subsidiaries called the Central Marine Fisheries
Research Institute. Im currently posted at Mumbai. My area of specialisation is
crustacean population dynamics and biodiversity. I
have a doctorate in ecotoxicology. I dont do much extension work but I did have
a small project on fisher communities dependant on tiger shrimp seed fishery
(using destructive gear) along the Andhra coast about two years ago.
I also birdwatch with the BNHS on Sundays, hike with the Himalayan Club and
correspond with the ANgroup to keep sane. I am married to a Naval officer and we
keep our fingers crossed so that we can have a tenure in Port Blair sometime in
future!
Im fascinated by turtles. Once tagged along with Satish Bhaskar to Rutland and
discovered a leatherback nesting site. Hope they still come there. Where do you
work?
Do feel free to correspond.
Ciao,
Miriam
Win an evening with the Indian cricket captain: Yahoo! India Promos.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dear Friends,
This again is with respect to the Jarawa seminar, about which we have
already sent a some postings in the last few days.
I am writing now to ask if there is any body on this group, who by any
chance has received a formal invitation from either the A&N admin. or the
Ministry of Tribal Welfare to attend the seminar to be held in Calcutta on
April 7&8.
Please do let me know immediately.
thanks
pankaj
C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239
Well the problem is precisely that Anthropologist and other experts constituting
the Jarwa experts comm have had no orientation or intention to find and learn
from the Jarwa themselves. It has been my attitude of "MY QUESTION" and 'YOUR
ANSWER AS I DEDUCE IT OR OBSERVE IT" Indeed the AAJVS needs to be re-organized-
just look at the language book produced by the AAJVS for Ongee or Jarwa with
large outlay is just full of commands but no effort to mutually understand and
build upon the language as a means to understand the two cultures facing each
other- Perhaps the administration should have thought through what the education
really entail. So once the teacher in Ongee are learns how to command that is
the end of it-
Madhusree Mukerjee <lopchu@...> wrote:Pankaj,
Well said. I wish we had the answers to the question of how best to help the
Jarawa. Getting the Jarawa's opinion is a good idea, but how does one do
that, practically speaking? It would be great if an anthropologist could
survey their opinions, but that takes time, commitment and, of course, the
authorities' permission.
There is one matter that the court case does not address, and which I find
very important. It's the question of accountability and oversight in the
welfare system. The welfare staff have the most intimate and powerful
connections with the Andamanese, be they Onge, Great Andamanese or Jarawa.
There should be a mechanism to make sure they are fired, not just
transferred, for transgressions such as molesting girls and pushing alcohol.
I would like to see an overhaul of the welfare system such that it is all
run by one competent and dynamic person who has the power to hire, train and
fire. Right now, for instance, on Dugong Creek, the main Onge settlement,
the education department sends a teacher, the medical department sends a
compounder and midwife, the police send a wireless operator (complete with
assistant and servant) and so on. If there is a serious complaint, the
offender gets shuttled off to another posting and a newcomer shows up for
three months. In a year or so the same offender cycles back to where he was
before. People treat these postings as punishments and do as little as they
can. I never saw the teacher hold a single class. But some of the Onge
repeatedly complained about the teachers not teaching.
The structure of the AAJVS, which administers this welfare system, needs to
be fundamentally altered. It should be a real NGO, not run by desk-bound
government officials who don't seem interested in the quality of service
provided, especially in remote places. The research officer of the AAJVS,
whom I met in Port Blair, told me he had never been to Dugong Creek. If an
official does visit, it is with a lot of fanfare, which gives people time to
clean up. On Strait Island, where the Great Andamanese live, they hide the
light-skinned, straight-haired children in the cottages when bigwigs come,
for these children are fathered by Indians, many of them welfare staff.
Here is an idea: perhaps AAJVS could have at the top a small board of
concerned and committed people who hire a competent person, give him or her
a mandate and the power and money to accomplish it. Each board member would
be required, say, to make unannounced spot checks and to meet every year to
discuss how things are going and to remedy defects.
Madhusree
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Since the Galapagos has been mentioned a bit in the recent past on this
group, I am forwarding here a message that I just received about these
islands. Have not checked the link myself, but thought it might be relevant
and interesting.
pankaj
Eco-destinations through the eyes of NIEPians- Part I- Galapagos
"Network of Indian Environment Professionals" brings you a series on the
major eco-tourism and outdoor destinations of the world including in India
as well as their field experiences as seen from the eyes of our members.
.
Galápagos National Park
Note: A edited version of this article was published today in
HindustanTimes.com . To go to that article go to the link below.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/6933_620189,0016005200070006.htm
To read the entire article and add in your comments and questions , log on
to www.envindia.com
From Samir Acharya
: Society for Andaman & Nicobar Ecology <sane@...>
Devi's argument is a bit tenuous. If a victory in a battle in distant
past is taken as the instrument to lay claim on a land, then we should
claim Cambodia, Thailand, parts of Indonesia, whole of Srilanka,
Afghanistan etc. too.
The relevant fact is that after separating Burma and Ceylon from British
India, while partitioning, the perceived Muslim majority areas were made
into Pakistan leaving the rest to India. Everybody forgot that A&N Islnads
and Lakshadweep also existed.
Through similar oversight, Nicobar Islands which were substantially or
totally unregulated were not included in the relevant schedule of the
Constitution.
All the best.
Samir
> >
> >
>
>
Concerned friends,
Hi,
This is a late intro, I have been reading all the mails, and
understanding the issue/issues. My name is Yusuf Thakur I am a
Filmmaker based in Dubai, besides making Advertisement Commercials for
a living I produce Wildlife/ Nature/ Conservation documentaries.
Basically from Mumbai, I have been living in the Gulf for the last 10
years, own and run a production company in Dubai for the last 5 years.
I have a commitment to myself to produce at-least one Wildlife/ Nature/
Conservation documentary every one/two years. I have produced 6
Wildlife/ Nature/ Conservation films in last ten years, fairly
successful films in terms of recognition and host of international
awards, at some of the most prestigious wildlife film festivals all
over the world. Financially they have not made any money, I am not
complaining though, It is my way of contributing back to society. All
the films that have been made are island or related to coastal
environments. I have spent over two years with a small team (two
people) on one of the Gulf Island documenting its wildlife and problems
due to human apathy are negligence.
The Andamans & Nicobar Island issue is truly home is where the heart
is, and I am ready to contribute in any way possible, the best that i
know is the medium of film and Televisions to bring issues to a larger
audience, and in doing so cause action that will lead to solutions. I
am NOT saying that a film on a any issue related to conservation will
create and end all solution, but will help. No reward or financial
expectation, but will put my entire resources in terms of
crew/equipment to produce a film on the island and the problems faced,
which have been discussed in the forum.
I have used the medium to inform and to some extent educate audiences
here in the Gulf and worldwide where the films have been screened.
There may be number of ways we as group can do something positive, i
guess this could be one of them.
Hope to contribute.
Yusuf Thakur
On Mar 17, 2004, at 9:24 PM, jjkaroor wrote:
> Dear Friends!
>
> I am Joseph Karoor, an Environmental Educationist, from Kerala.
> I had
> not visited the islands so far and so thought of remaining silent
> and read
> the comments of wiser men. As Pankaj wants everybody to send in the
> introductions (though not compulsory), I am writing this brief note.
>
> While working at the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala there were
> many
> chances to meet Naturalists who had visited the Andamans.
> Tropical Wet
> Evergreen forests are plenty in Periyar and the information that the
> Andaman-Nicobar has also a sizeable area of this type of forests
> fascinated me. News of the capture of a King Cobra from the islands
> by
> Rom Whitaker, many years ago, was heard with enthusiasm. Endemic
> birds of
> the islands like the Narcondom Hornbill and the Elephant population
> introduced from the main land were of great interest to me. Now you
> can
> imagine why I have joined the group.
>
>
> Sehjo Singh's suggestion for organizing a visit to the islands by
> interested persons is highly appreciated. I am one of the many who are
> waiting for such a trip.
>
> Best wishes!
>
> Joseph Karoor
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pankaj" <pankaj@...>
> To: <ANDAManicobar@...>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 7:51 PM
> Subject: [andamanicobar] introductions
>
>
>> Dear Friends,
>> Regarding the subject of introductions of the individuals who are
>> members
> of
>> this group- we have had two rounds in the past. However there are
>> still a
>> number of people who have not sent in their intros. Also a number of
> people
>> have joined in after the last round was completed. Though I do agree
>> that
> in
>> the past the email traffic with the intros did get a little too much,
>> I do
>> feel that it is a very useful process.
>> What I also hope to do in due course of time is compile basic
>> information
> of
>> all those who are on this group, so that it becomes a ready and easy
>> reference.
>> This is therefore a request for those who have recently joined and
>> those
> who
>> have not yet sent in their intros, to please respond.
>> This obviously is not compulsory though...
>> best wishes
>> pankaj sekhsaria
>> C/o Kalpavriksh
>> Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
>> 908 Deccan Gymkhana,
>> Pune 411004
>> Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
>> Fax: 25654239
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>>
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>>
>> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
Dear Pankaj: (and like minded)
I think your last paragraph is exactly what I wanted all of us to think about
and perhaps make an effort to response to. My concern is that instead of just
all of us running out with emotional reactions we need to be sensetive in
formulations of the concerns. In fact SANE and KALPAVRIKSHA have done precisely
done sensetive formulations and that too in a very good manner. I have greatest
respect and admiration for the above mentioned two organizations.
My only intention is that we must make effort to find out the problems as
articulated by the people on the ground , in this case the Jarwas- If we
understand what is important to people them selves then only we can come up with
better understanding and effort to solev the issues. I think in the case of
Jarwa this perspective has been ignored and this perspective is what the people
with environmental concern have it with them as given natural. It is here that I
see the value of an intellectual bridge that we need to build rather then just
picking up some idea and run to Andamans and Nicobar with heart burning to do to
see and feel thrilled in one or the other way.
Sincerely
Pankaj <pankaj@...> wrote:
Dear Vishvajit,
Many of the points that you have raised are indeed very important and
relevant and honestly, they did make me think a bit about myself, the work
that I do and the issues that are taken up. There are no clear answers or
even understanding of many of the things that all of us are dealing with.
This, I say in the particular context of the question that is often asked -
what next for the Jarawa?
Let me illustrate with an example that I have constantly faced in the last
6-7 years of our own work of the islands related activism in the media and
also in the legal system. After every single presentation that I have made
on the issues of the Andamans (primarily those of the environment and the
indigenous peoples), there is the question and sometimes the allegation that
we want the tribals to remain as they are, where they are and that we want
them to be museum pieces for ever. There is the other extreme end of the
spectrum where there is a whole jingbang of opinion that says the Jarawas
have to be brought into the national mainstream.
My only answer, has been and continues to be, that it is neither a matter of
their mainstreaming or that of making them museum pieces, but that of their
very survival. What needs to be done is that the present stream of activity
and development directed at the Jarawas needs to be stopped, because
otherwise they will be put on the path that Great Andamanese and the Onge
have been sent on. The question that comes next is only to be expected - if
not this, then what? For this I have absolutely no answer.
Writing about the place, about the environment about the people here (like I
have myself been doing) is bound to increase interest in the place. Is then
the choice not to write or discuss the place or the issues even an option?
How does one decide this? Any communication using the fragility, beauty and
vulnerability of the place as a tool for its protection, conservation (or
whatever) is bound to increase interest in others wanting to experience
those very things that are being written about. There is also no denying
that considering the degree of interest in the islands, the beauty of the
place, and the fact that we are in a world that is far more mobile today,
more and more people from the outside will want to go the place. We have
seen very interesting discussion in this context already on the group.
The issue of the control of the administration on access is another very
important one that you have raised. This is a double edged sword. On the one
hand I do believe that some controls by the state are very necessary. This
also means those restrictions will apply to me as well, and this is
something that I might have a problem with. At the same time, it is exactly
these restrictions that have to be sometimes violated to get a picture, even
a snapshot of what is happening on the other side of the restrictions. In a
sense it can and does become a cat and mouse game with the administration.
As activists this is always a tricky slope to negotiate. Take the case of
the islands itself. On the one hand we are in the court against an
administration that so blatantly violates the orders of the Supreme Court,
and on the other we have to work with them, even appreciate them when they
do something that 'we' think is the right thing from our point of view. We
have to take the help of the administration for doing a lot of things in
the islands (none of us would be able to enter the tribal areas without
passes handed out by the government), and this is the same administration
that we have to criticise when we feel something that they are doing is not
right, and when you do that, it is most likely that the administration will
deny you permits when you approach them again.........
This could be an unending communication and discussion, one that is very
important and could be very enriching too, but I will leave it here.
In conclusion I do feel and this is something that has been with me for a
long while....that what we are doing in the islands today, and what is
happening to the Jarawas and the other communities there, is as much about
them, as it is about us. Sometimes I feel it is more about us, our biases,
our ambitions and our failings.
There is an urgent need for a Jarawa version of this story / history. The
impossible question is whether that will ever be possible? One can only
hope!
with my best wishes
pankaj
----- Original Message -----
From: Pankaj <pankaj@...>
To: <andamanicobar@...>
Cc: <nvagho@...>
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 3:33 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] from Vishvajit Pandya
> From Vishvajit Pandya
>
>
>
> Dear Friends:
>
> I am bit intrigued by the recent postings on the site by authors,
government employees and people involved with the environment. I think deep
seated is a concern (Like Deep Ecology, or structure of linguistics) that
has been missed completely. First of all authors writing books with snappy
title are also a way to attract tourists who come with a peculiar
orientation. In fact many authors have landed up on the island, seeking the
assistance of the administration in one way or other and then becoming
protagonist of one or the other cause taking a stand against administration.
We need to be pro-active in contributing to a correct course of action or at
least showing viable alternatives- such as what SANE has done for some time.
Some times I wonder about the larger philosophical and ethical implications
of such exotic constructs as Naked, Stone age people who have no history and
are just subjects of exploitation.
>
> Recently the stream of thought that emerged is - people do not know enough
of the islands diverse forms of rich issues that need to be conserved and
cherished. Yes I support this knowledge-gap that must be gathered and filled
further distributed so that each individual whether rich or poor, whether a
settler or a tribal on the islands or a tourist what has to be known becomes
aware of. It is one thing to compare models of appropriate tourism from
different parts of the world whether it is South east Asia or South America-
but what has been often missed in the consideration is that we are talking
of a nature that it self is a cultural construct and a nature in which
communities like Jarwas are present! Why not look into the situation that is
balanced- a scenario in which the indigenous people have the right and a
right to make decision for them selves. Why cant tourism be a learning
experience, rather then just to appreciate the place. Australia and New
Zealand has successful examples where indigenous people of the place are
involved in managing the place and tourists come to contribute by learning
and working- a way to give something to environment in totality rather than
paying for what they want to get out of the island. Can we not replicate the
tradition of 'Shram daan" or "kar seva".
>
> The recent proposed seminar based on the expert committees findings with
the Jarwa situation is a classic case in evidence- Apart from the split on
the outlook and stand no real policy has been suggested- Individuals want to
save the Jarwas and the forest in a big emotional way but very little thrust
is on how? With so many experts and resources and administrative structure
put to use, with so many people working on the environment in it's different
capacities- It is a strange phenomena that no effort has been made to
understand the world articulated according to the communities who have lived
in that world, before the tourists, polluters, activists, authors, and
authorities landed up- Let us not just blame the average citizen of any
state but also take a critical stand of the intellectual ideas that have
been generated , how they have been generated and for what reason. We
discuss and seek answers to our questions but what are the questions of the
people like Jarwa who were once well connected to the forests and seas of
Andamans.
>
>
>
> Perplexed
>
> Vishvajit Pandya.
>
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pankaj,
Well said. I wish we had the answers to the question of how best to help the
Jarawa. Getting the Jarawa's opinion is a good idea, but how does one do
that, practically speaking? It would be great if an anthropologist could
survey their opinions, but that takes time, commitment and, of course, the
authorities' permission.
There is one matter that the court case does not address, and which I find
very important. It's the question of accountability and oversight in the
welfare system. The welfare staff have the most intimate and powerful
connections with the Andamanese, be they Onge, Great Andamanese or Jarawa.
There should be a mechanism to make sure they are fired, not just
transferred, for transgressions such as molesting girls and pushing alcohol.
I would like to see an overhaul of the welfare system such that it is all
run by one competent and dynamic person who has the power to hire, train and
fire. Right now, for instance, on Dugong Creek, the main Onge settlement,
the education department sends a teacher, the medical department sends a
compounder and midwife, the police send a wireless operator (complete with
assistant and servant) and so on. If there is a serious complaint, the
offender gets shuttled off to another posting and a newcomer shows up for
three months. In a year or so the same offender cycles back to where he was
before. People treat these postings as punishments and do as little as they
can. I never saw the teacher hold a single class. But some of the Onge
repeatedly complained about the teachers not teaching.
The structure of the AAJVS, which administers this welfare system, needs to
be fundamentally altered. It should be a real NGO, not run by desk-bound
government officials who don't seem interested in the quality of service
provided, especially in remote places. The research officer of the AAJVS,
whom I met in Port Blair, told me he had never been to Dugong Creek. If an
official does visit, it is with a lot of fanfare, which gives people time to
clean up. On Strait Island, where the Great Andamanese live, they hide the
light-skinned, straight-haired children in the cottages when bigwigs come,
for these children are fathered by Indians, many of them welfare staff.
Here is an idea: perhaps AAJVS could have at the top a small board of
concerned and committed people who hire a competent person, give him or her
a mandate and the power and money to accomplish it. Each board member would
be required, say, to make unannounced spot checks and to meet every year to
discuss how things are going and to remedy defects.
Madhusree
Hey everyone,
I can't understand why we are even discussing history here. Whatever
it is and whoever gave their lives etc etc, the fact now is that
these islands are a part of India and I am sure if it was with some
one else the situation would have been as bad if not worse than what
it is now simply because all humans have this death wish for the
environment. The situation is really getting critical. What with
elections on etc. Politicians will probably allow anything illegal.
The encroachers know it. What is required is photographic and video
evidence. Nothing else will do. So calm down and if there are some
constructive suggestions please accept them. And that includes "low
end picnics". I agree with Roy that there should be no tourism. But
that is asking for the moon. And tourism, low or high need not damage
the place. It is very much now THE INDIAN WILDERNESS. Brits or no
Brits. There is nothing virtual about that. Why can't we believe that
two men actualy travelled all the way from Kolikatta and stood at the
gates of Kanha because they could not afford Rs 500. Puh--leez!!! to
u too. I don't think environment awareness is the special prerogative
of the well heeled. The low end tourist might require much resources
and comfort. The rich need their hot water and limousines. I don't
think any of this constitutes "abuse of this list"
Sumant
Dear Vishvajit,
Many of the points that you have raised are indeed very important and
relevant and honestly, they did make me think a bit about myself, the work
that I do and the issues that are taken up. There are no clear answers or
even understanding of many of the things that all of us are dealing with.
This, I say in the particular context of the question that is often asked -
what next for the Jarawa?
Let me illustrate with an example that I have constantly faced in the last
6-7 years of our own work of the islands related activism in the media and
also in the legal system. After every single presentation that I have made
on the issues of the Andamans (primarily those of the environment and the
indigenous peoples), there is the question and sometimes the allegation that
we want the tribals to remain as they are, where they are and that we want
them to be museum pieces for ever. There is the other extreme end of the
spectrum where there is a whole jingbang of opinion that says the Jarawas
have to be brought into the national mainstream.
My only answer, has been and continues to be, that it is neither a matter of
their mainstreaming or that of making them museum pieces, but that of their
very survival. What needs to be done is that the present stream of activity
and development directed at the Jarawas needs to be stopped, because
otherwise they will be put on the path that Great Andamanese and the Onge
have been sent on. The question that comes next is only to be expected - if
not this, then what? For this I have absolutely no answer.
Writing about the place, about the environment about the people here (like I
have myself been doing) is bound to increase interest in the place. Is then
the choice not to write or discuss the place or the issues even an option?
How does one decide this? Any communication using the fragility, beauty and
vulnerability of the place as a tool for its protection, conservation (or
whatever) is bound to increase interest in others wanting to experience
those very things that are being written about. There is also no denying
that considering the degree of interest in the islands, the beauty of the
place, and the fact that we are in a world that is far more mobile today,
more and more people from the outside will want to go the place. We have
seen very interesting discussion in this context already on the group.
The issue of the control of the administration on access is another very
important one that you have raised. This is a double edged sword. On the one
hand I do believe that some controls by the state are very necessary. This
also means those restrictions will apply to me as well, and this is
something that I might have a problem with. At the same time, it is exactly
these restrictions that have to be sometimes violated to get a picture, even
a snapshot of what is happening on the other side of the restrictions. In a
sense it can and does become a cat and mouse game with the administration.
As activists this is always a tricky slope to negotiate. Take the case of
the islands itself. On the one hand we are in the court against an
administration that so blatantly violates the orders of the Supreme Court,
and on the other we have to work with them, even appreciate them when they
do something that 'we' think is the right thing from our point of view. We
have to take the help of the administration for doing a lot of things in
the islands (none of us would be able to enter the tribal areas without
passes handed out by the government), and this is the same administration
that we have to criticise when we feel something that they are doing is not
right, and when you do that, it is most likely that the administration will
deny you permits when you approach them again.........
This could be an unending communication and discussion, one that is very
important and could be very enriching too, but I will leave it here.
In conclusion I do feel and this is something that has been with me for a
long while....that what we are doing in the islands today, and what is
happening to the Jarawas and the other communities there, is as much about
them, as it is about us. Sometimes I feel it is more about us, our biases,
our ambitions and our failings.
There is an urgent need for a Jarawa version of this story / history. The
impossible question is whether that will ever be possible? One can only
hope!
with my best wishes
pankaj
----- Original Message -----
From: Pankaj <pankaj@...>
To: <andamanicobar@...>
Cc: <nvagho@...>
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 3:33 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] from Vishvajit Pandya
> From Vishvajit Pandya
>
>
>
> Dear Friends:
>
> I am bit intrigued by the recent postings on the site by authors,
government employees and people involved with the environment. I think deep
seated is a concern (Like Deep Ecology, or structure of linguistics) that
has been missed completely. First of all authors writing books with snappy
title are also a way to attract tourists who come with a peculiar
orientation. In fact many authors have landed up on the island, seeking the
assistance of the administration in one way or other and then becoming
protagonist of one or the other cause taking a stand against administration.
We need to be pro-active in contributing to a correct course of action or at
least showing viable alternatives- such as what SANE has done for some time.
Some times I wonder about the larger philosophical and ethical implications
of such exotic constructs as Naked, Stone age people who have no history and
are just subjects of exploitation.
>
> Recently the stream of thought that emerged is - people do not know enough
of the islands diverse forms of rich issues that need to be conserved and
cherished. Yes I support this knowledge-gap that must be gathered and filled
further distributed so that each individual whether rich or poor, whether a
settler or a tribal on the islands or a tourist what has to be known becomes
aware of. It is one thing to compare models of appropriate tourism from
different parts of the world whether it is South east Asia or South America-
but what has been often missed in the consideration is that we are talking
of a nature that it self is a cultural construct and a nature in which
communities like Jarwas are present! Why not look into the situation that is
balanced- a scenario in which the indigenous people have the right and a
right to make decision for them selves. Why cant tourism be a learning
experience, rather then just to appreciate the place. Australia and New
Zealand has successful examples where indigenous people of the place are
involved in managing the place and tourists come to contribute by learning
and working- a way to give something to environment in totality rather than
paying for what they want to get out of the island. Can we not replicate the
tradition of 'Shram daan" or "kar seva".
>
> The recent proposed seminar based on the expert committees findings with
the Jarwa situation is a classic case in evidence- Apart from the split on
the outlook and stand no real policy has been suggested- Individuals want to
save the Jarwas and the forest in a big emotional way but very little thrust
is on how? With so many experts and resources and administrative structure
put to use, with so many people working on the environment in it's different
capacities- It is a strange phenomena that no effort has been made to
understand the world articulated according to the communities who have lived
in that world, before the tourists, polluters, activists, authors, and
authorities landed up- Let us not just blame the average citizen of any
state but also take a critical stand of the intellectual ideas that have
been generated , how they have been generated and for what reason. We
discuss and seek answers to our questions but what are the questions of the
people like Jarwa who were once well connected to the forests and seas of
Andamans.
>
>
>
> Perplexed
>
> Vishvajit Pandya.
>
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Dear Friends,
In case some of you have sent communications to the concerned authorities in
the context of the Jarawa seminar and the request that I had sent out,
please do inform me about it.
If you still have not, please do consider sending a letter. It will
certainly help. Please however do it at the earliest possible, as there
is'nt much time.
pankaj
C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239
Dear Friends,
I do agree with Devi that there should be a concern over the language that
is used on the group. We certainly don't want to lose valuable contributions
and participation because of this. Please however, do feel free to state
whatever opinion you might have.
Finally, and in a sense, as a moderator, all mails that appear on the group
do need approval. In no way do I want to sit in judgement of what is said,
or even how it is said, but at some points I will be forced to excercise my
discretion.
I do hope I have this liberty on behalf of the group and that the judgements
that I make will be trusted by you.
Devi, on the issue of ownership of the islands, I do tend to agree with Roy
. In the modern context, it is pretty clear, if you look at teh history of
the islands, that they are today in possession of India for the simple
reason that the British had taken them over.
Maybe in the 11th century it was listed in the conquests of the Cholas, but
that has little relevance in the context of the last couple of 100 years,
which I feel are most important today .
You are probably also aware that there are a lot many other references to
the these islands, that predate the cholas by 100s of years. There are
Chinese accounts, there are Arab accounts, even those which suggest that the
islands were a dependency of the Chinese in 1318 AD. There is very
interesting stuff on this...
(At the moment I am quoting from another brand new book on the A&N that i
have just received: It is titled 'In the Sea of Influence: A world System
PErspective of the Nicobar Islands. by Simron Jit Singh of the Vienna based
Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies at Austrian Universities. Simron is
also a member of this group and has been doing some extensive work in the
Nicobars for the last many years. I have requested him to send us some more
details of the book and in case there are people interested in procuring
copies, also details of how this can be done)
Pankaj Sekhsaria
----- Original Message -----
From: <devi@...>
To: <andamanicobar@...>
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 2:14 PM
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
> Dear All,
> I suggest that all of us use language that is moderate while posting
messages to this group.
>
> As a matter of history, I would like to point out that Great Nicobar is
(referred to as Ma
> Nakkavaram) listed as being among the conquests of King Rajendra Chola. I
(early 11th Century CE),
> therefore, have difficulty in construing A&N being "possession of India
thanks to Brits"
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Roy Laifungbam
> To: <andamanicobar@...>
> Sent: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 00:01:55 +0545
> Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
>
> I like to see no tourism at all, low or high end whatever these terms
mean...I have been seeing
> some rah rah gang actively using this list to organise and arrange a "low
end" picnic to the
> islands, possessions of India thanks to the Brits. My great grand uncle
died there in one of those
> cellular jails, as an aside. The Indian wilderness, ah....how exotic and
intoxicating the words
> sound, is but a virtual construct of the Indian people, another one.
>
> I personally do not buy the low end "story" that two men actualy travelled
all the way from
> Kolikatta and stood at the gates of Kanha because they could not afford Rs
500.-. Puh--leez!
>
> Lets not abuse this list so thoughtfully set up by Pankaj, is it?
>
> As for the uneducable, lets do away with them and stop the schmultz, we
all know that we all have
> people like them in our familes whom we all dearly love, indulge and
support!
>
> R
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Madhusree Mukerjee
> To: andamanicobar@...
> Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 3:48 PM
> Subject: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
>
>
> Samit, I just want to pick up on something you said, that low-end
tourists are the most
> destructive. I personally would hate to see the Indian wilderness cut off
from the lower middle
> class in India. I think if conservation is to catch on, this group will
have to learn to value the
> wilderness, and so first needs to see it. A couple of years ago, while
visiting Kanha Tiger
> reserve, I met two men from Kolkata who'd traveled all the way to see
Kanha, and couldn't get in
> because they couldn't afford the Rs. 500 or so to rent a jeep, which is
required. Luckily we had
> room in our jeep. There are plenty of such people.
>
> I'd like to see a two-tier tourism. I think it is entirely fair that
foreigners and NRIs (such as
> myself) pay more. We can't have our cake and eat it too--draw high incomes
from living in the
> Western world, and also avail of the ultralow prices in India. Yes, there
are poor backpackers from
> Europe, but they are poor by choice. Instead of working six months and
traveling for six months in
> poor countries, they could work for nine months and travel for three.
>
> It's true that the uneducated tourist is destructive, but all you need
is a stern lecture from a
> guide before setting out on the tour, and enforcement to make sure they
don't pick up things or
> litter. These people are educable.
>
> What I have real concern about is another kind of low-end tourist:
senior civil servants,
> officers in the police and armed forces, and their families. These people
consider themselves above
> the law. A police launch always seems available to ferry judges,
ministers, and others to Cinque
> Island, on an unmonitored tour. One LG used to go fishing there, inside
the marine reserve. In the
> garden of a police officer in Port Blair, I saw huge chunks of coral of
different kinds. His wife
> had requested some navy divers to obtain them from the Nicobars, and they
had obliged. Another
> time, I witnessed a police officer requesting the wife of a more senior
officer to make sure his
> bags weren't opened at customs, because he was departing with coral. This
kind of thing happens
> every day. It's not even considered corruption, just normal perks of being
in government.
>
> How does one educate these people? Is it even possible?
> Madhusree
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
This is interesting. Indeed in the history or is it herstory(?), whether of
science or otherwise, the ruling text is that written on the authority of the
western oriented writers... for them history began with the imperialist
conquerors.... for them Copernicus is the man who discovered heliocentricity! It
is better we credit the original discoverers... for example the ancient people
on the subcontinent of India knew the helio facts:the earth revolves round the
sun as far back as at least 2000 BC...one has to the translations of Hoag of the
vedas...similarly the Gaia hypothesis is hold hat for Vyasa who discusses the
various aspects in the Gita...
One should not be biased in their evaluations of the books they have not read: M
Mukerjee's book is an excellent work on the Andamans and the Nicobars....she
comes out with statements of the erudition of the Andamanese which are echoed
by other thoughtful people like Wendell Berry about other local people...I find
the book superb and some of the observations of the history of the ANs are borne
out bythe events in Iraq...
Yes the web site has been set up very thoughtfully... but one brings about
change by means not yet fully understood...Would you like Seminars to be
arranged in such a way that makes it impossible for the commons to attend? You
must be given enough info and time... what a moderate governance is this?
R. Ashok Kumar
R. Ashok Kumar
"devi@..." <devi@...> wrote:
Dear All,
I suggest that all of us use language that is moderate while posting messages to
this group.
As a matter of history, I would like to point out that Great Nicobar is
(referred to as Ma
Nakkavaram) listed as being among the conquests of King Rajendra Chola. I (early
11th Century CE),
therefore, have difficulty in construing A&N being "possession of India thanks
to Brits"
----- Original Message -----
From: Roy Laifungbam
To:
Sent: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 00:01:55 +0545
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
I like to see no tourism at all, low or high end whatever these terms mean...I
have been seeing
some rah rah gang actively using this list to organise and arrange a "low end"
picnic to the
islands, possessions of India thanks to the Brits. My great grand uncle died
there in one of those
cellular jails, as an aside. The Indian wilderness, ah....how exotic and
intoxicating the words
sound, is but a virtual construct of the Indian people, another one.
I personally do not buy the low end "story" that two men actualy travelled all
the way from
Kolikatta and stood at the gates of Kanha because they could not afford Rs
500.-. Puh--leez!
Lets not abuse this list so thoughtfully set up by Pankaj, is it?
As for the uneducable, lets do away with them and stop the schmultz, we all know
that we all have
people like them in our familes whom we all dearly love, indulge and support!
R
----- Original Message -----
From: Madhusree Mukerjee
To: andamanicobar@...
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 3:48 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
Samit, I just want to pick up on something you said, that low-end tourists are
the most
destructive. I personally would hate to see the Indian wilderness cut off from
the lower middle
class in India. I think if conservation is to catch on, this group will have to
learn to value the
wilderness, and so first needs to see it. A couple of years ago, while visiting
Kanha Tiger
reserve, I met two men from Kolkata who'd traveled all the way to see Kanha, and
couldn't get in
because they couldn't afford the Rs. 500 or so to rent a jeep, which is
required. Luckily we had
room in our jeep. There are plenty of such people.
I'd like to see a two-tier tourism. I think it is entirely fair that foreigners
and NRIs (such as
myself) pay more. We can't have our cake and eat it too--draw high incomes from
living in the
Western world, and also avail of the ultralow prices in India. Yes, there are
poor backpackers from
Europe, but they are poor by choice. Instead of working six months and traveling
for six months in
poor countries, they could work for nine months and travel for three.
It's true that the uneducated tourist is destructive, but all you need is a
stern lecture from a
guide before setting out on the tour, and enforcement to make sure they don't
pick up things or
litter. These people are educable.
What I have real concern about is another kind of low-end tourist: senior civil
servants,
officers in the police and armed forces, and their families. These people
consider themselves above
the law. A police launch always seems available to ferry judges, ministers, and
others to Cinque
Island, on an unmonitored tour. One LG used to go fishing there, inside the
marine reserve. In the
garden of a police officer in Port Blair, I saw huge chunks of coral of
different kinds. His wife
had requested some navy divers to obtain them from the Nicobars, and they had
obliged. Another
time, I witnessed a police officer requesting the wife of a more senior officer
to make sure his
bags weren't opened at customs, because he was departing with coral. This kind
of thing happens
every day. It's not even considered corruption, just normal perks of being in
government.
How does one educate these people? Is it even possible?
Madhusree
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
apologies for the late introduction,
i am nimesh, currently associated with samrakshan and based at the field office
at agraa in m.p. on the periphery of the kuno sanctuary - our current
interventions relate to agriculture, soil & water conservation, medicinal plants
and education with teh sahariya tribals relocated from the sanctuary. i am
associated primarily with the education project as also involved with a research
project on a local hunting tribe - the moghias,
here on the egroup mainly cause of pankaj who has been much more than a guide /
friend since i got into this field, as also like to enhance my awareness
regarding such issues,
regards,
nimesh
village : agraa
tehsil : vijeypur
district : sheopur
state : m.p.
pin : 476332
email : vednim@...
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: balaraman subramanian <manibala_04@...>
Reply-To: andamanicobar@...
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 10:33:05 +0000 (GMT)
><html><body>
>
>
><tt>
>Dear Friends,<BR>
> <BR>
>I am Subramanian and I did my Post graduation and Doctorate in Marine Biology.
My specialization is on Marine Ecosystem and interest is on Community Based
Coastal Resource Management. I myself hail from traditional fisher community
from Chennai. My involvement in the field of fisheries has stated during my Post
graduation period. I worked in many NGOs in India and also in abroad for a
couple of years as Marine Scientist. At present I am working in South Indian
Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS), Trivandrum , Kerala. In this my task
is to study the various fishing pattern practised in Gulf of Mannar Bio-Reserve
area and to findout ways to utilize the fishery resources in sustainable way
with community participation. Personnaly I am running a NGO called Social Action
for Integration and Liberation (SAIL) in Chennai and working for the upliftment
of downtrodden people particularly fisher community. I strongly believe on
people with environment but not on environment without<BR>
> people. I am helping people (Indian as well as foreigners) who are interested
to do research in fisheries. If any one wants to do study or research on
fisheries, free feel to contact me.<BR>
> <BR>
>with regards<BR>
>B.Subramanian<BR>
>SAIL<BR>
>104, Nochi kuppam<BR>
>Mylapore<BR>
>Chennai 600 004<BR>
> <BR>
>Pankaj <pankaj@...> wrote:<BR>
>Dear Friends,<BR>
>Regarding the subject of introductions of the individuals who are members
of<BR>
>this group- we have had two rounds in the past. However there are still a<BR>
>number of people who have not sent in their intros. Also a number of people<BR>
>have joined in after the last round was completed. Though I do agree that
in<BR>
>the past the email traffic with the intros did get a little too much, I do<BR>
>feel that it is a very useful process.<BR>
>What I also hope to do in due course of time is compile basic information
of<BR>
>all those who are on this group, so that it becomes a ready and easy<BR>
>reference.<BR>
>This is therefore a request for those who have recently joined and those
who<BR>
>have not yet sent in their intros, to please respond.<BR>
>This obviously is not compulsary though...<BR>
>best wishes<BR>
>pankaj sekhsaria<BR>
>C/o Kalpavriksh<BR>
>Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa<BR>
>908 Deccan Gymkhana,<BR>
>Pune 411004<BR>
>Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450<BR>
>Fax: 25654239<BR>
><BR>
><BR>
><BR>
><BR>
>---------------------------------<BR>
>Yahoo! Groups Links<BR>
><BR>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:<BR>
><a
href="http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/">http://in.groups.yahoo.co\
m/group/andamanicobar/</a><BR>
> <BR>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:<BR>
>andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...<BR>
> <BR>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. <BR>
><BR>
><BR>
>Yahoo! India Insurance Special: Be informed on the best policies, services,
tools and more.<BR>
><BR>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]<BR>
><BR>
></tt>
>
>
>
>
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From Vishvajit Pandya
Dear Friends:
I am bit intrigued by the recent postings on the site by authors, government
employees and people involved with the environment. I think deep seated is a
concern (Like Deep Ecology, or structure of linguistics) that has been missed
completely. First of all authors writing books with snappy title are also a way
to attract tourists who come with a peculiar orientation. In fact many authors
have landed up on the island, seeking the assistance of the administration in
one way or other and then becoming protagonist of one or the other cause taking
a stand against administration. We need to be pro-active in contributing to a
correct course of action or at least showing viable alternatives- such as what
SANE has done for some time. Some times I wonder about the larger philosophical
and ethical implications of such exotic constructs as Naked, Stone age people
who have no history and are just subjects of exploitation.
Recently the stream of thought that emerged is - people do not know enough of
the islands diverse forms of rich issues that need to be conserved and
cherished. Yes I support this knowledge-gap that must be gathered and filled
further distributed so that each individual whether rich or poor, whether a
settler or a tribal on the islands or a tourist what has to be known becomes
aware of. It is one thing to compare models of appropriate tourism from
different parts of the world whether it is South east Asia or South America- but
what has been often missed in the consideration is that we are talking of a
nature that it self is a cultural construct and a nature in which communities
like Jarwas are present! Why not look into the situation that is balanced- a
scenario in which the indigenous people have the right and a right to make
decision for them selves. Why cant tourism be a learning experience, rather then
just to appreciate the place. Australia and New Zealand has successful examples
where indigenous people of the place are involved in managing the place and
tourists come to contribute by learning and working- a way to give something to
environment in totality rather than paying for what they want to get out of the
island. Can we not replicate the tradition of 'Shram daan" or "kar seva".
The recent proposed seminar based on the expert committees findings with the
Jarwa situation is a classic case in evidence- Apart from the split on the
outlook and stand no real policy has been suggested- Individuals want to save
the Jarwas and the forest in a big emotional way but very little thrust is on
how? With so many experts and resources and administrative structure put to use,
with so many people working on the environment in it's different capacities- It
is a strange phenomena that no effort has been made to understand the world
articulated according to the communities who have lived in that world, before
the tourists, polluters, activists, authors, and authorities landed up- Let us
not just blame the average citizen of any state but also take a critical stand
of the intellectual ideas that have been generated , how they have been
generated and for what reason. We discuss and seek answers to our questions but
what are the questions of the people like Jarwa who were once well connected to
the forests and seas of Andamans.
Perplexed
Vishvajit Pandya.
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Hello all,
There is BAD news. There are rumours (without evidence being
available it is a rumour) that the Jarawa are being exploited in
unthinkable ways. Pornography is one and Tourist visits is another.
Encroachment into their lands is escalating.
Sumant
Dear All,
I suggest that all of us use language that is moderate while posting messages to
this group.
As a matter of history, I would like to point out that Great Nicobar is
(referred to as Ma
Nakkavaram) listed as being among the conquests of King Rajendra Chola. I
(early 11th Century CE),
therefore, have difficulty in construing A&N being "possession of India thanks
to Brits"
----- Original Message -----
From: Roy Laifungbam
To: <andamanicobar@...>
Sent: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 00:01:55 +0545
Subject: Re: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
I like to see no tourism at all, low or high end whatever these terms mean...I
have been seeing
some rah rah gang actively using this list to organise and arrange a "low end"
picnic to the
islands, possessions of India thanks to the Brits. My great grand uncle died
there in one of those
cellular jails, as an aside. The Indian wilderness, ah....how exotic and
intoxicating the words
sound, is but a virtual construct of the Indian people, another one.
I personally do not buy the low end "story" that two men actualy travelled all
the way from
Kolikatta and stood at the gates of Kanha because they could not afford Rs
500.-. Puh--leez!
Lets not abuse this list so thoughtfully set up by Pankaj, is it?
As for the uneducable, lets do away with them and stop the schmultz, we all know
that we all have
people like them in our familes whom we all dearly love, indulge and support!
R
----- Original Message -----
From: Madhusree Mukerjee
To: andamanicobar@...
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 3:48 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
Samit, I just want to pick up on something you said, that low-end tourists are
the most
destructive. I personally would hate to see the Indian wilderness cut off from
the lower middle
class in India. I think if conservation is to catch on, this group will have to
learn to value the
wilderness, and so first needs to see it. A couple of years ago, while visiting
Kanha Tiger
reserve, I met two men from Kolkata who'd traveled all the way to see Kanha, and
couldn't get in
because they couldn't afford the Rs. 500 or so to rent a jeep, which is
required. Luckily we had
room in our jeep. There are plenty of such people.
I'd like to see a two-tier tourism. I think it is entirely fair that
foreigners and NRIs (such as
myself) pay more. We can't have our cake and eat it too--draw high incomes from
living in the
Western world, and also avail of the ultralow prices in India. Yes, there are
poor backpackers from
Europe, but they are poor by choice. Instead of working six months and traveling
for six months in
poor countries, they could work for nine months and travel for three.
It's true that the uneducated tourist is destructive, but all you need is a
stern lecture from a
guide before setting out on the tour, and enforcement to make sure they don't
pick up things or
litter. These people are educable.
What I have real concern about is another kind of low-end tourist: senior
civil servants,
officers in the police and armed forces, and their families. These people
consider themselves above
the law. A police launch always seems available to ferry judges, ministers, and
others to Cinque
Island, on an unmonitored tour. One LG used to go fishing there, inside the
marine reserve. In the
garden of a police officer in Port Blair, I saw huge chunks of coral of
different kinds. His wife
had requested some navy divers to obtain them from the Nicobars, and they had
obliged. Another
time, I witnessed a police officer requesting the wife of a more senior officer
to make sure his
bags weren't opened at customs, because he was departing with coral. This kind
of thing happens
every day. It's not even considered corruption, just normal perks of being in
government.
How does one educate these people? Is it even possible?
Madhusree
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dear Friends!
I am Joseph Karoor, an Environmental Educationist, from Kerala. I had
not visited the islands so far and so thought of remaining silent and read
the comments of wiser men. As Pankaj wants everybody to send in the
introductions (though not compulsory), I am writing this brief note.
While working at the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala there were many
chances to meet Naturalists who had visited the Andamans. Tropical Wet
Evergreen forests are plenty in Periyar and the information that the
Andaman-Nicobar has also a sizeable area of this type of forests
fascinated me. News of the capture of a King Cobra from the islands by
Rom Whitaker, many years ago, was heard with enthusiasm. Endemic birds of
the islands like the Narcondom Hornbill and the Elephant population
introduced from the main land were of great interest to me. Now you can
imagine why I have joined the group.
Sehjo Singh's suggestion for organizing a visit to the islands by
interested persons is highly appreciated. I am one of the many who are
waiting for such a trip.
Best wishes!
Joseph Karoor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pankaj" <pankaj@...>
To: <ANDAManicobar@...>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 7:51 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] introductions
> Dear Friends,
> Regarding the subject of introductions of the individuals who are members
of
> this group- we have had two rounds in the past. However there are still a
> number of people who have not sent in their intros. Also a number of
people
> have joined in after the last round was completed. Though I do agree that
in
> the past the email traffic with the intros did get a little too much, I do
> feel that it is a very useful process.
> What I also hope to do in due course of time is compile basic information
of
> all those who are on this group, so that it becomes a ready and easy
> reference.
> This is therefore a request for those who have recently joined and those
who
> have not yet sent in their intros, to please respond.
> This obviously is not compulsory though...
> best wishes
> pankaj sekhsaria
> C/o Kalpavriksh
> Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
> 908 Deccan Gymkhana,
> Pune 411004
> Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
> Fax: 25654239
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
From the Andaman Express, March 19, 2004
'Only eight IAS officers for A&N Administration but 34 IFS officers for
Forest Department'
It is learnt that only eight IAS officers are running the whole Andaman &
Nicobar Administration but for running the Forest Department, which is a
small fraction of Andaman & Nicobar Administration altogether 34 IFS
officers are posted in these islands. The multi million dollar question is
whether these many officers are required for the Forest Department. Does the
forest department really have so much work to do?
After ban on tree felling in these islands the work load of the Forest
Department has reduced to less than half but surprisingly the forest
department inspite of sending back its officers to mainland, is busy in
calling more and more officers to these islands to perform handful of work.
These officers ....are having a really good time in these islands as they
are provided with servants, big quarters, free vehicles and lots of other
facilities. It seem the motto of the FD has become 'the more the merrier'.
During the last one year, no case of illegal smuggling of timber, cucumber,
illegal venison was reported from any part of these islands except a few
cases in North Andaman. But it is an open secret that illegal poaching and
timber smuggling is on in every part of these islands. Then what exactly
this fleet of IFS officers is doing in these islands. This question should
be answered by the forest department to the people in these islands.
C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239
I am touched and delighted that someone would wish to translate The
Land of Naked People. I will help in any way I can. The book has not
been translated into Bengali, although Mahasweta Devi says she would
like to. She has become involved in trying to stop a thoughtless
project in Santiniketan. She's close to 80, but, as she says, the
fight never ends.
I'm interested in the question of training those who have access, to
corals, wildlife, and other precious things, not to abuse that
access. My feeling is that bureaucracies and armed forces are
hierarchical structures, in which people tend to follow the leader.
So if key people at the top (and their families?) can be educated,
and if they set an example, the rest will follow. Perhaps it is
possible to organize internal seminars just for the benefit of the
top brass?
Madhusree
Dear Friends,
This is a request for some urgent help from as many people on this group as
is possible.
A couple of days ago a mail had been posted by Samir Acharya regarding the
seminar to be organised regarding the Jarawa community as directed by the
Calcutta High Court. The Court had asked the administration to publicise the
seminar widely and make it possible for as many people to participate as
might be interested and have something relevant to contribute.
WE have just learnt now that the seminar is being fixed to be held in
Calcutta as early as April 6 and 7, and yet no intimation or information is
available about this. This will defeat the very purpose and spirit of the
orders of the HC in the organising of this seminar.
What is urgently needed is that letters of concern be sent to the
authorities pointing out the organising of the seminar as is presently
happening is not in line wiht the orders of the court, that more time is
needed and that the seminar needs to be widely publicised.
Pasted below are two letters, that have sent by Samir Acharya to the Lt.
Governor of the islands and Home Secretary, Govt. of India in the matter.
Please use the information available in these letters to write your own
letters. If there is any help, clarification or inputs you need, (including
the expert committee report) please do not hesitate to get back to me.
Considering also the fact, that time is
really short now, please do fax the letters to the authorities, followed by
a courier of the letter.The faxes need to be send in the next couple of
days. I will also be grateful if you send an email copy
of your letter to me for our records. Further if you can get others
interested and mobilise some additional interest and support, that too would
be really good.
The letters can / should be sent to a number of authorities.
Their contact details are given here:
Shri. Jual Oram
Minister, Tribal Welfare
Shastri Bhawan
Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road
New Delhi-110 001
Fax: (011) 30 70577
(011) 37 94195
Shri. S.K. Naik
Secretary, Tribal Affairs,
Shastri Bhawan
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road
New Delhi-110 001
Fax : (011) 30 73160
Shri. Anil Baijal
Home Secretary
Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block, Central Secretariat
New Delhi- 110 001
Ph:(011) 230 92989, 230 93031
Fax: (011)230 93003
Prof. Ram Kapse
Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor
A&N Islands
Raj Niwas
Port Balir-744101
A&N Islands
Fax: (03192) 23 5411
Mr. V.V.Bhat
Chief Secretary
A&N Administration
Secretariat
Port Blair-744 101
A&N Islands
Fax: (03192) 23 2656
23 1535
Thanks
Pankaj Sekhsaria
22nd March, 2004
To,
His Excellency Prof. Ram Kapse,
Honble Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands,
Raj Niwas,
Port Blair.
Your Excellency,
We had welcomed your decision of organizing the seminar(s) on the Jarawa
matter at the earliest without seeking another extension of time. We were
also very happy with the decision to hold the first seminar at Calcutta
through the ASI on 21st and 22nd April, 2004. It is fully understandable
that the dates would had to be changed due to the CEC rescheduling the
poll date at Port Blair to 20th April.
But we are alarmed to learn that the seminar is now proposed to be
organized at Calcutta on 7th and 8th of April by Cultural Research
Institute. The time available is woefully inadequate. Persons of such
expertise as the court envisaged are not likely to be totally free to drop
everything to come and attend this seminar at such a short notice. It
takes time even to make the necessary travel arrangements. This is also
the time when most of the University faculties are busy with examinations
and viva for the Phd scholars.
We strongly feel and I think you will have reasons to agree with us that a
minimum of 4-6 weeks advance notice is a must to ensure participation of a
significant number of experts. Having the seminar at any cost with
available persons only, will completely defeat the purpose of the seminar
and will be violative of the spirit and letters of the Honble High
Court's order.
Your Excellency, we earnestly request you to kindly reconsider the
appointment of Cultural Research Institute as the organizing agency. In
case it is not possible to utilize ASI, there are institutes of great
repute at Calcutta who could be entrusted with this.
Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, which has a unit for Sociology,
Anthropology and Human Genetics
Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta
Experts like Dr. S.C.Sinha Dr. Ramchandra Guha, Dr. K.C.Malhotra, and Dr.
Ramkrishna Mukherjee have academic association with both of these
institutions.
With kind regards
Yours Sincerely
(SAMIR ACHARYA)
23rd March, 2004
To,
Mr. Anil Baijal, IAS,
Home Secretary, Government of India
North Block, Central Secretariat
New Delhi-110 001
Subject: Jarawa Seminar
Respected Sir,
We are a small NGO based at Port Blair. We were also an intervener in WP
48 of 1999 (Shyamoli Ganguly vs. Union of India), popularly known as the
Jarawa Case.
In compliance of the Court order you had very kindly constituted an Expert
Committee which had submitted its report in July, 2003 before the High
Court. The said report was to be placed before seminar(s) to which
Sociologists, Anthropologists and other persons of national and
international repute were to be invited to deliberate upon.
For some reason or the other the seminar kept on getting delayed till
Prof. Ram Kapse, the new Lieutenant Governor vetoed the proposal of
seeking yet another extension of time from the Court and decided
to have the seminar in Calcutta on 21st and 22nd of April with
Anthropological Survey of India as the organizing agency. It is fully
understandable that the dates would have to be changed due to the CEC
rescheduling the poll date at Port Blair to 20th April.
But we are now alarmed to learn that the seminar is now proposed to be
organized at Calcutta on 7th and 8th of April by Cultural Research
Institute. The time available is woefully inadequate. Persons of such
expertise as the Court envisaged are not likely to be so free as to drop
everything to come and attend this seminar at such a short notice. It
takes time even to make the necessary travel arrangements. This is also
the time when most of the University faculties are busy with examinations
and viva for the Ph.D scholars.
We strongly feel and I think you will have reasons to agree with us that a
minimum of 4-6 weeks advance notice is a must to ensure participation of a
significant number of experts. Having the seminar at any cost with
available persons only, will completely defeat the purpose of the seminar
and will be violative of the spirit and letters of the Hon’ble High
Court’s order.
Sir, we earnestly request you to kindly reconsider the appointment of
Cultural Research Institute as the organizing agency. In case it is not
possible to utilize the services of ASI, there are other institutes of
great repute at Calcutta who could be entrusted with this important
assignment.
1) Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta, which has a unit for
> Sociology,
Anthropology & Human Genetics
2) Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta
Experts like Dr. S.C.Sinha Dr. Ramchandra Guha, Dr. K.C.Malhotra and Dr.
Ramkrishna Mukherjee have academic association with both of these
institutions.
Another small matter that makes the selection of CRI as the organizing
agency somewhat suspect is that this is under the direct control of Mr.
Dinesh Dakua, Minister of Tribal welfare, Govt. of West Bengal. Mr. Dakua
had unfortunately visited Andamans in 2000 and had promptly alleged that
the Jarawas robbed his wife of her jewelry!
With kind regards
Yours Sincerely
(SAMIR ACHARYA)
I like to see no tourism at all, low or high end whatever these terms mean...I
have been seeing some rah rah gang actively using this list to organise and
arrange a "low end" picnic to the islands, possessions of India thanks to the
Brits. My great grand uncle died there in one of those cellular jails, as an
aside. The Indian wilderness, ah....how exotic and intoxicating the words sound,
is but a virtual construct of the Indian people, another one.
I personally do not buy the low end "story" that two men actualy travelled all
the way from Kolikatta and stood at the gates of Kanha because they could not
afford Rs 500.-. Puh--leez!
Lets not abuse this list so thoughtfully set up by Pankaj, is it?
As for the uneducable, lets do away with them and stop the schmultz, we all know
that we all have people like them in our familes whom we all dearly love,
indulge and support!
R
----- Original Message -----
From: Madhusree Mukerjee
To: andamanicobar@...
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 3:48 PM
Subject: [andamanicobar] low-end tourism
Samit, I just want to pick up on something you said, that low-end tourists are
the most destructive. I personally would hate to see the Indian wilderness cut
off from the lower middle class in India. I think if conservation is to catch
on, this group will have to learn to value the wilderness, and so first needs to
see it. A couple of years ago, while visiting Kanha Tiger reserve, I met two men
from Kolkata who'd traveled all the way to see Kanha, and couldn't get in
because they couldn't afford the Rs. 500 or so to rent a jeep, which is
required. Luckily we had room in our jeep. There are plenty of such people.
I'd like to see a two-tier tourism. I think it is entirely fair that
foreigners and NRIs (such as myself) pay more. We can't have our cake and eat it
too--draw high incomes from living in the Western world, and also avail of the
ultralow prices in India. Yes, there are poor backpackers from Europe, but they
are poor by choice. Instead of working six months and traveling for six months
in poor countries, they could work for nine months and travel for three.
It's true that the uneducated tourist is destructive, but all you need is a
stern lecture from a guide before setting out on the tour, and enforcement to
make sure they don't pick up things or litter. These people are educable.
What I have real concern about is another kind of low-end tourist: senior
civil servants, officers in the police and armed forces, and their families.
These people consider themselves above the law. A police launch always seems
available to ferry judges, ministers, and others to Cinque Island, on an
unmonitored tour. One LG used to go fishing there, inside the marine reserve. In
the garden of a police officer in Port Blair, I saw huge chunks of coral of
different kinds. His wife had requested some navy divers to obtain them from the
Nicobars, and they had obliged. Another time, I witnessed a police officer
requesting the wife of a more senior officer to make sure his bags weren't
opened at customs, because he was departing with coral. This kind of thing
happens every day. It's not even considered corruption, just normal perks of
being in government.
How does one educate these people? Is it even possible?
Madhusree
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
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andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Hello everyone,
I m Sherry Madan, a doctor by profession residing in Kanpur, UP. I wanted to
enquire about the book Mr Sumant talked about and where can I find a copy? I
intend to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands sometime before August. I would
appreciate if someone could brief me on the dos and donts so that by mistake
also I dont end up harming anyone.
sumant_jo@... wrote:
Hello everybody,
I have just joined this group, thanks to Mr Samir Acharya. I am a
Naval Officer based at Port Blair and have been here for the last 3 n
a half year. And yes people in the government and the armed forces
have been taking coral. I fortunately haven't. Before I continue
further let me make it clear that I am not giving excuses or covering
up for my biradari. Fact is people (including from the navy or
government) don't cause harm because they want to. They simply are
ignorant. Not everyone interested in nature. Actually people do it
because it is against the law. They have the access and the will and
they have seen other people who have it. I have seen people taking
huge clam shells and then leaving them behind because it was too
heavy to carry. I have seen people asking for a particular shell
which was conveniently displayed on a chart by the forest department
as being banned. Once I saw a group of tourists on Ross Island who
sat on the jetty eating Sev Gathiya. After eating they simply dumped
the wrapping into the sea. All the while they were pointing at the
blue water and saying "jo ne ketlu sunder pani che" (what beautiful
water). Well I wanted to throttle them. Unfortunately I didn't, even
yell at them (stupid of me).
Well I happen to have seen Dugongs in the Andamans last year. Six to
be precise, in a matter of one week. But that is because the
helicopter pilots knew where to look. I managed to capture three on
my handycam.
I have just read the book by Ms Madhusree. Mr Acharya gave it to me.
It makes for very very painful reading. If anyone hasn't read it
please do. I realised that there is so much much more at stake here.
And congratulations to Ms Madhusree. Unfortunately I didn't make an
attempt to meet Mr Acharya earlier though I knew about him earlier
and now I am due for a transfer. Maybe I could have helped in some
small way. I understand it has been translated into Bengali. I have
decided to translate it into Marathi. I think education is the key to
this whole mess. All those people who screwed up this place just
didn't know better. Maybe all the government people including the
armed forces, forest department etc. need to be given orientation
courses. Q is who will do it? Anyway, on my part I am going on leave
to my home town Nasik. I am going to give presentations to whoever
will listen. Who will listen? and what effect it will have? Well, for
one, lots of people come to Andamans from Maharashtra because of Mr
Savarkar (the freedom fighter) and the cellular jail. All these
people meet the LG who is also a Maharashtrian. Maybe they will speak
to him, maybe when they come here they will be better educated.
Maybe . . . . . . I think public opinion has to be formed for
something to happen.
That translation part is a foot in the mouth (on purpose) since now
that I have said it, I will have to do it. Hopefully someone will
read it and do something. Anyway, I have always wanted to write a
book. The next best thing is to translate and hog someone else's hard
work. I have no idea what it entails. I mean the legalities. I hope
Ms Madhusree will help me. I know one thing, translations from one
language to another cannot be literal. I will have to get the exact
idea behind it and try not to add anything of my own except maybe in
the foreword.
---------------------------------
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To visit your group on the web, go to:
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Thanks and Regards
Sherry
Win an evening with the Indian cricket captain: Yahoo! India Promos.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
From the Andaman Express
March 13, 2004
'Tour Operators warned'
Port Blair, Mar. 12.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has again warned the tour operators,
who are promoting Tribal Tourism. Through a communication the Administration
said that tour operators are charging money to take tourists to the Jarawa
areas. The tribal areas come under the A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal
Tribes) Regulation 1956, and are not to be promoted as tourist attractions
under any circumstances. The Administration, as in the past, has restricted
entry to these areas and does not allow people to visit these areas for
tourism purposes. Administration further cautioned not to conduct such type
of tours otherwise it would attact penal action as per the law.
C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa
908 Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune 411004
Tel: 020 - 25654239 / 25675450
Fax: 25654239
Hello everybody,
I have just joined this group, thanks to Mr Samir Acharya. I am a
Naval Officer based at Port Blair and have been here for the last 3 n
a half year. And yes people in the government and the armed forces
have been taking coral. I fortunately haven't. Before I continue
further let me make it clear that I am not giving excuses or covering
up for my biradari. Fact is people (including from the navy or
government) don't cause harm because they want to. They simply are
ignorant. Not everyone interested in nature. Actually people do it
because it is against the law. They have the access and the will and
they have seen other people who have it. I have seen people taking
huge clam shells and then leaving them behind because it was too
heavy to carry. I have seen people asking for a particular shell
which was conveniently displayed on a chart by the forest department
as being banned. Once I saw a group of tourists on Ross Island who
sat on the jetty eating Sev Gathiya. After eating they simply dumped
the wrapping into the sea. All the while they were pointing at the
blue water and saying "jo ne ketlu sunder pani che" (what beautiful
water). Well I wanted to throttle them. Unfortunately I didn't, even
yell at them (stupid of me).
Well I happen to have seen Dugongs in the Andamans last year. Six to
be precise, in a matter of one week. But that is because the
helicopter pilots knew where to look. I managed to capture three on
my handycam.
I have just read the book by Ms Madhusree. Mr Acharya gave it to me.
It makes for very very painful reading. If anyone hasn't read it
please do. I realised that there is so much much more at stake here.
And congratulations to Ms Madhusree. Unfortunately I didn't make an
attempt to meet Mr Acharya earlier though I knew about him earlier
and now I am due for a transfer. Maybe I could have helped in some
small way. I understand it has been translated into Bengali. I have
decided to translate it into Marathi. I think education is the key to
this whole mess. All those people who screwed up this place just
didn't know better. Maybe all the government people including the
armed forces, forest department etc. need to be given orientation
courses. Q is who will do it? Anyway, on my part I am going on leave
to my home town Nasik. I am going to give presentations to whoever
will listen. Who will listen? and what effect it will have? Well, for
one, lots of people come to Andamans from Maharashtra because of Mr
Savarkar (the freedom fighter) and the cellular jail. All these
people meet the LG who is also a Maharashtrian. Maybe they will speak
to him, maybe when they come here they will be better educated.
Maybe . . . . . . I think public opinion has to be formed for
something to happen.
That translation part is a foot in the mouth (on purpose) since now
that I have said it, I will have to do it. Hopefully someone will
read it and do something. Anyway, I have always wanted to write a
book. The next best thing is to translate and hog someone else's hard
work. I have no idea what it entails. I mean the legalities. I hope
Ms Madhusree will help me. I know one thing, translations from one
language to another cannot be literal. I will have to get the exact
idea behind it and try not to add anything of my own except maybe in
the foreword.
Hi all,
I got the book off of www.half.com
Also bought a copy for my dad at crossword in bombay.
hope this helps.
-Supriya.
On Sun, 21 Mar 2004, Madhusree Mukerjee wrote:
> Does anyone know if the Hep B variety of the Jarawa have been typed, and where
I can get more information on it?
>
> On another matter, several people have asked where to get my book, The Land of
Naked People. Fact is, I don't know. Can someone recommend an easy way to get
it?
> Thanks, Madhusree
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/andamanicobar/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> andamanicobar-unsubscribe@...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
Does anyone know if the Hep B variety of the Jarawa have been typed, and where I
can get more information on it?
On another matter, several people have asked where to get my book, The Land of
Naked People. Fact is, I don't know. Can someone recommend an easy way to get
it?
Thanks, Madhusree
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Date: 18 March 2003
From: Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
To: CBD National Focal Points
Subject: Launching of the Island Biodiversity Electronic Forum Programme Area:
Island Biodiversity
Ref: SCBD/STTM/JM/PD/42259
NOTIFICATION
No. 2004-019
Dear Madam/Sir,
In response to paragraph 8 of decision VII/31 on the development of the
programme of work on island biodiversity, the Secretariat has created the Island
Biodiversity Electronic Forum (IBEF) which can be accessed at:
http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/island/forum.asp
The electronic forum consists of five main sections, which respond to different
issues and information needs identified in the terms of reference of the Ad Hoc
Technical Expert Group on Island Biodiversity contained in annex II to decision
VII/31.
In order to participate in the electronic forum, it is necessary to obtain a
login and password from the Secretariat by contacting Ms. Paola Deda, e-mail:
paola.deda@..., tel. (514) 287 8710.
The full text of this notification is available at:
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/notifications/2004/ntf-2004-019-isl-en.asp
Yours sincerely,
Hamdallah Zedan
Executive Secretary
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Environment Programme
393 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 300
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H2Y 1N9
Tel: (514) 288-2220
Fax: (514) 288-6588
Email: secretariat@...
URL: <http://www.biodiv.org/>
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Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
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