-----Original Message-----
From: Dinesh Kumar Mishra [mailto:dineshkmishra@...]
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 2:18 PM
To: biharchintan@...
Cc: Himanshu Shekhar
Subject: Re: Re: Re: [biharchintan] Appeal for transparency in flood relief bihar

Dear Himanshu Ji,

If your letter is addressed to me (There may be many Dinesh in this dialogue)I thank you for the message.

I expected a lively dialogue on this net but that is not happening. Today, we are at the butt of every joke and are looked down by the others. Why, because our poverty is visible outside but not the intellect or other capabilities.The politicians have created a mess of everything and ther seems to be little that can be done. Somebody should think as to why we have slid down in every sphere of life. This dialogue, I expected that someissues will be aised and there will be lively discussion but what is the result? Some relief money and material was raised and then there is a silence everywhere. Was that the motive? Even relief is a questionable input and the cost at which it comes to the country is even worse. Raising money for starving Indians and its corrupt establishment is a profession in west and they export their unemployment in the name of relief. We never consider these factors because there are professionals available here also.

Ask any development agency for a long time input, they will shy away but relief, yes. They want to perpetuate the fraud on the people. I was there in a neighbouring country few years ago. The amount of relief being pumped in there was enormous. I had a British friend of mine with me. I asked her that at this rate the country would never stand on its feet. Pat came the answer, Does this country ever wants to stand on its feet? That is the contempt with which we are looked upon. she was a an outsider but this happens within our country too.

How can we tell people mto respect themselves? And if a Bihari does not answer that question, who else will do it?

Let me see if there is any reaction to this.

Best wishes.

Dinesh Mishra







On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 Himanshu  Shekhar wrote :
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>Dear Dinesh jee,
>Ihave been receiving your mails regularly and Iam extremely sorry that Icould not respond quickly.I don't want to extend any pretext for not responding. In fact the process of interaction is a two way process, you did your share, I failed to do my share. But I noticed that some of our friends continue to meet their commitments. It is inspiring and at the same time we get informed about the discourses and events of our concern. This does not absolve me and the likes for being so docile and lacklusture. But is it  not o.k that some of us have kept the flame alive? This time it is you, next time it may be me or anybody else. It is not the occasion to be disappointed or getting frustrated that responses are not coming, that everybody is not comig up with same intensity. Is it not that our solidarity is getting stronger day by day? I know words alone will not do. And you know that the lower middle class situations are so pressing at times! Bihar is not a liability for us. It is flowing in our bloods. And if you ask me, I remember Bihar with each of my breath. I have always felt like living in a "saray" in my lat 20 years of stay out of Bihar. And sometimes I have the same feeling which Raghubir Sahay expressed in one of his poems-"Main ab Ghar Lotna chahata hun".We have got to do something and there is no choice! I understand your feelings. But come what may, the flame must remain alive- sometimes you will make it possible, sometimes I and sometimes others. Bashir Badra once retorted- Phir bhi har roj jala dete hain chowkhat pe diya, jab ki malum hai ki koi nahin anewala. We need that spirit. Dear friend do not stop moving because somebody like me has stopped. Please do send your words.
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>Your friend
>Himanshu