Thanks a lot Dipak Ji,

Vagish


On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:56:10 +0530, Deepak Bharti
<deepak1004@...> wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> Please find the short (!!) report of the WDF events from 4-6 Dec 2004.
> Deepak Bharti
> National Convenor
> Lok Shakti Sangathan, India
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Another article on Bihar.
Vagish K. Jha


We don't talk anymore
As Bihar goes to polls, have you listened to the national debate?
VANDITA MISHRA
(Indian Express, 11th Feb. 2005)


Angry voices filled television screens. Shared outrage at the
abduction of school-going children in Bihar was only broken by the
comment from one of the talking heads. So electorally futile, he
shrugged. Laloo has yoked nearly 17 per cent Yadav to 16.5 per cent
Muslim and that adds up to a 33.5 per cent vote which is mostly rural
— outside the pale of Patna and TV and outrage over kidnapped
children.

Kishalay is back home and after the first round of voting, exit
pollsters have predicted cracks in the Muslim Vote. But as a crucial
state in the world's largest democracy goes to polls in the year 2005,
the picture remains the same: it features a dehumanised rogue creature
and bloodless calculations of electoral math. It is ghoulish, this
easy oscillation from apolcalypse-now to political sums.

We need to ask whether the tenor of public debate on Bihar reflects
unhealthy things not just about Laloo and his Bihar but also about the
terms of national debate. We need to wonder about the larger
complicities in Bihar's much advertised secession from the nation's
heart, its imagination. The danger, once more, is this: Laloo Prasad
Yadav will have his day out — that process began on February 3. But
the ways in which we talk about Bihar, the ways in which we imagine
its future, will remain unexamined.

For all our sound and fury, we are content to sketch the contest in
such apolitical ways. It is, always, Laloo versus Anyone But Laloo.
The state languishes at the bottom of the development heap. Laloo's
been in charge, directly and by proxy, for the last 15 years. So where
is the alternative leader, what is the alternative agenda? The poverty
of options in Bihar is only matched by the reluctance of public debate
to dwell on the matter.

Look around Laloo, it's the same difference. Nitish Kumar is
presumably striving for a ''secret'' pact with Ram Vilas, as he told
the media recently, with that remarkable lack of bashfulness about
keeping secrets from the voter. Paswan? He's fighting Laloo but
supporting Congress which fights and supports Laloo. Paswan has got a
number of local strongmen to switch sides to his party to match the
RJD's menagerie of local mafiosi.

We view this lack of alternative at ground level with implacable
inevitability. We have surrendered all the deliberative spaces at our
disposal to interrogate the lack of responsible leadership in Bihar,
possibly even to coax it out of its traps.

What explains the great estrangement of Bihar from the national
debate? It is the state's ''sunset'' politics, centred on the state,
economist Shaibal Gupta argued in this paper recently. Bihar remains
un-integrated with states where a ''sunrise'' politics flourishes, the
market at its centre. This is the ''burden of history'' argument. It
plays back the fact that Bihar was among the states saddled with the
more iniquitous land tenurial system — the zamindari system — as
opposed to the ryotwari system which allowed the growth of incentive
structures for investment and entrepreneurship.

This argument dips into colonial history. But the story of Bihar's
terrible alienation from the national mindscape can also be told from
a nearer vantage point in the 1990s.

Beginning in the 1990s, Indian politics was reconfigured in deep and
structural ways. The one-party dominance system, which had the
Congress as centrepiece, collapsed and splintered. Politics shifted
its primary locale from the Centre to the states. Mandalisation
reframed the rules of the political game with backward castes breaking
free from the patron-client relationships forged by the Congress and
announcing their political independence through parties like the RJD,
SP, BSP. Political competition became more intense at the Centre and
in the states. At the Centre, national parties were forced to make
space for regional parties.

The urban middle classes, keepers of the national debate, have had to
come to terms with a shift in the centre of gravity away from
themselves: away from the Centre to the states; from national party to
regional parties; from upper castes/classes to backward
castes/classes. But a decade and half after the political dynamic
became apparent, the discomfort persists. It comes up in proposals of
electoral reform that lobby for closing the field to new entrants and
smaller players. It was there recently in CEC's Krishnamurthy's
recommendation to make it mandatory for regional parties to tie up
with a national party and to fight on the latter's symbol in
parliamentary elections. The onus is still on regional parties to
prove their innocence.

This story has taken a few reassuring turns of late from the
perspective of the urban middle classes, there are signs of a return
to order. At the Centre, the contest is settling down between two
coalitions, each run by a national party that seeks to domesticate
regional partners. After the churning, a process of bipolarisation is
visible in most states. Either a straight two-party competition or a
competition between two coalitions has become the format of political
competition in the states. But not in Bihar.

Bihar remains an obstinate exception to many rules. The state where
the electoral field remains carved out in many mutinous pieces. A
state where the national parties remain bystanders as regional parties
slug it out. Where the fight for power has become an internal matter
to the bloc of backward castes and the small percentage of upper
castes may not manage a casting vote.

At the same time, Bihar is also a state where this intense social
churning has neither stilled nor delivered. It goes on and on, an end
in itself, unwilling to transcend its own ineffectual motion. The
politics of empowerment is tragically stillborn in Bihar. It has yet
to find a purpose larger than itself. Empowerment for what, we could
ask, in a state where the universities are dying and entrepreneurs are
discouraged?

But we don't ask. So upset are we at Bihar for being the recalcitrant
state, we don't talk to it anymore. Except at election time, and then
with a bare civility. We certainly don't engage with its vexed
questions that might suck us into the hard search for answers.

Leading democratisation theorist Alfred Stepan recently proposed a
more ''useable grammar'' to meet the maturing practice of federalism
in countries like India. ''National'' parties could be called
''Polity-Wide'' parties and ''Regional'' parties renamed as
''Centric-Regional''. As we stare unseeingly at Bihar going to the
polls, the distinction is less esoteric than it seems.

Sankarshan Thakur has written a piece on Laloo Pd. for BBC. The link
to the article is:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/regionalnews/story/2005/01/050128_assembly_laloo.shtm\
l


-Rajesh

Thank you Rajesh.
I will read it with interest.
Regards to all.
ARBIND

Again a perceptive article in the Indian Express by Pamella
Phillipose. It seems we all can only lament what is happening in Bihar
but nothing to look forward to.

The link to the article is:

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=63712
rajesh

Bihar, now
This state needs to be mainstreamed — for India's sake
  PAMELA PHILIPOSE
Posted online: Monday, January 31, 2005 at 0000 hours IST


Metropolitan India has numerous ways to swat Bihar. Take the old joke:
"Yaar, we should agree to give J&K to the Pakistanis if they agree to
take Bihar as well." So static is the big picture of the state that
news agencies are known to recycle old pictures of floods and
massacres as fresh images without anyone being the wiser. But if Bihar
is the heart of darkness, it is the heart of ur darkness. The state is
too populous, too central, to be excised from the collective
consciousness.

As Bihar goes in for assembly elections, Arvind Das's argument comes
back with new meaning. Writing in 2000 before the last assembly
elections in the state, Das despaired over the fate of his 'republic
of Bihar'. He decried the tendency of third world capitalism — riding
on archaic land relations and outmoded cultural practices — to destroy
without having the vitality to create anew; a capitalism that did not
bring about "modernity" but merely combined the worst of agrarian
pre-modernity with post-industrial post-modernity. He despaired over
the state's politicians, mere time-servers concerned solely with the
capture of power and the creation of personal empires. A little later,
in a comment written just before his own death, he talked about Bihar
as a society whose sensibilities have long atrophied through years of
violence; a society rife with heterogeneous beings constituting
mutually exclusive and hostile groups which prey on each other; a
society where poverty has degraded culture and the culture of poverty
has fragmented and brutalised society. The indifference towards Bihar
that India displayed made Das wonder whether there was a plan afoot to
convert the state into a mere catchment area for labour to service the
rest of the nation.

Nobody expects the coming elections to change anything in the state
and nothing signifies that as much as the election discourse. Laloo
Prasad Yadav has long discovered that roads as smooth as Hema Malini's
cheeks are not even necessary to invoke when he can keep summoning the
genie of "social justice" to deliver the state to him — a phrase which
once held some transformative potential but which has now long been
emptied by cynical political practice of any promise of social
transformation or justice delivery. His opponents are so subsumed by
the gargantuan presence of Laloo himself that they do him the favour
of failing to summon a credible electoral rhetoric, forget crafting an
alternative politics. As a result you have the supreme irony of a
politically conscious electorate — Bihar has always reported a high
turnout of voters of around 60 per cent for both state and national
elections from '89 to '04 — in patent need of substantive social and
economic transformation locked in an echo chamber of meaningless
slogans.

Apart from the serious anomalies of its politics, the state has also
been served poorly by the political economy of the '90s. As R.
Radhakrishna and Shovan Ray have pointed out in the latest indian
Development Report, the '90s benefited urban areas the most and
aggravated rural-urban disparities. It was a decade which witnessed
the rural bottom 30 per cent see a decline in the annual growth rate
of per capita expenditure. In the process the percentage share of
"backward" states like Orissa, MP, UP and Bihar in the rural poor rose
from 53 per cent in '93-94 to 61 per cent in '99.

The grinding down factor of the poverty cycle — powered by deeply
entrenched caste and feudal hierarchies — punishes in extraordinary
ways. Take healthcare. Studies show that in a state like Bihar, the
poorest tenth of the population ended up spending over 200 per cent of
annual per capita consumption expenditure on health. It is ironical
that those who can afford to fall ill the least end up being hobbled
by incapacitating disease and disability, which in turn sends entire
families into a tailspin of multiple deprivations. You also have the
ultimate irony of those earning the least forced into spending the
most on healthcare. The poor housed in hovels — NFHS-2 data reveal
only 18.2 per cent of households in Bihar have electricity, 16.8 per
cent have latrines, and 15.5 per cent live in pucca houses — are much
more susceptible to even those diseases that have largely been
eradicated elsewhere in the country.

'Raising the Sights: Better Health Systems for India's Poor', a World
Bank study, notes that the prevalence rate for leprosy in Bihar was 50
per cent higher than the all-India state average for men and women
below the poverty line and the prevalence rates for scheduled castes
was twice the state average. It is against this that one should note
that the Bihar government's per capita spending on health is the
lowest in the country. The state has only 2 per 1,000 population in
terms of public sector hospitalisations. Kerala, in contrast,
registers 29.

Each deprivation ends up creating or accentuating another. Bihar is,
in addition, the site of floods. Its most backward districts tend also
to be the most flood-prone. Bibek Debroy and Laveesh Bhandari, in
their survey of district level deprivation, highlighted the
asset-stripping effect of recurring floods, which they believe are
even more pernicious than drought because they don't just disrupt,
they destroy life, property and infrastructure that take years to
build and accumulate.

The cynical politics of Bihar is played out against this tragic
backdrop. Nobody has taken responsibility for this patent evisceration
of a people. While the Rabri Devi government blames years of Central
neglect, the Centre claims that funds earmarked for the state end up
fattening the only tribe that has prospered in the state — the
politically empowered contractor mafia. Bihar needs to remove itself
from this point-counterpoint trap as it does from a politics that
pushes ever larger groups of people into the abyss. Bihar needs
mainstreaming. But where does this project begin? It's a question our
best minds and talent needs to be engaged with because if Bihar
continues to be forgotten, India will continue to remain divided
against itself with significant regional disparities short-circuiting
sustainable growth.

As we hyperventilate over the report of the National Intelligence
Council of the CIA projecting this country as a major global power by
2020, it will be wise to remember that according to present estimates
Bihar is unlikely to make its demographic transition to replacement
levels before 2050 and that it could take almost a century before the
state can claim something as basic as universal literacy. Bihar today
has another name: Now.

The Indian express carried the article today. May be of interest.
Rajesh K. Jha

BIHAR AS ETERNAL SUBSIDISER OF NATIONAL ELITE
SHAIBAL GUPTA
Indian Express, January 29,2005

That byword for a 'sunset' state, the provider of jokes. But in the
absence of a market, state-centred political participation is
employment.

Bihar is possibly the only state in the country where bipolar politics
has not taken root, inspite of one and half decades of Laloo Prasad's
rule. Contrary to the general impression, election for the Bihar
Assembly will thus not be the test of incumbency factor alone; it will
also be a test for the politics of 'sunrise' or 'sunset', the former
being concerned with the 'market' and the latter with the 'state'.
The politics of sunrise specially operates in the developed regions
like Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh
where incentive structure had evolved through a less iniquitous land
tenurial system. The public investment in the pre-British period was
concentrated in the Ryotwari areas, comprising those states, for
expanding the land revenue base. In the Permanently Settled
(zamindari) areas, generally in the states of the eastern India,
fixity of the revenue between the intermediaries and the state, acted
as a disincentive for public investment. In any case, the
intermediaries there appropriated the surplus created by the tenants,
thus forestalling creation of incentive structure and rural
entrepreneurs.
Even in the post-Independence period, a new benchmark of incentive
structure could not be created. Freight equalisation had favourable
consequences for South and Western India, unlike in the eastern India.
This freight policy, announced in 1948, in fact subsidised the
industrialisation of India with the coal, iron ore and cement from
mineral- rich states. Over the years, not only did their own markets
develop but, with their superior industrial base, they were able to
substantially capture consumer markets outside their home state. In
the process, they integrated their economy fully with the national and
partly with international industry. Therefore, the social agenda
revolved round the promotion and the development of the incentive and
the market structure. Consequently, political competitions centred
around implementation of development programmes and any
under-performing leader got replaced.
Thus politics became stiched up with the commensurate economic
concerns, though it may have manifested itself through liberal or
subnational or even right wing agendas. When the reform agenda was
initiated in the country, the states with a developed market structure
were structurally more prepared to take up the alternative development
path. For those political elites, national and state concerns
converged instead of taking a centrifugal spin. Even when state
governments were voted out for pursuing the reform, the applecart of
that agenda was not essentially affected. In contrast, the
underdeveloped states were not prepared to escape the 'state' centric
trajectory, in the absence of a level playing field. Politics in
under-developed states, revolved not around 'growth' of the market and
the economy, but around participation in the state structure,
manifesting in positive discrimination in different tiers of civil
service for the socially marginalised. Since the mammoth edifice of
the state is becoming increasingly unsustainable in view of the
massive crisis of public finance, the national elite considers such
politics of social justice as 'sunset' politics.
For the national elite, the state has outlived its historic utility
and creativity. Any politics which is not wedded to the market
promotion is outside the pale of productive discourse. However, sunset
politics has survived in nearly all the underdeveloped states. This
underdevelopment, not the result of quality of regional leadership but
essentially a burden of history, is almost certain to continue, until
and unless tenurial related inequity is completely banished, releasing
social forces that are productive as well.
In the Ryotwari states where the incidence of inequality is less,
there has in contrast eveloped a bond of accommodation between the
developed and the underdeveloped groups. This has resulted in
power-sharing among diverse social groups which in turn has ensured
liberal, pluralistic and accommodative approach to governance. Whereas
market is increasingly replacing the state as the key development
agency in the national and international discourse, its resonance is
not being heard even in areas which are just outside the urban or the
metropolitan enclaves. The share of Bihar in the national market is
only 4.8 percent even though it has 8.3 percent of the national
population; the grammar of political discourse here is thus very
different. Society here is acrimonious, not consensual. A million
mutinies are always taking place around social and economic equity.
With the increasing withdrawal of the state, this agenda is being
further extended to the private sector. Politics here is completely
innocent about the increasing paradigm shift in the national and
international economy.
The mandate of the Planning Commission to bridge the spatial diversity
cannot be operational, because the market expects 'survival of the
fittest'. Ironically, the biggest ideological dismantler of the state
is heading the biggest planning agency which is supposed to promote
the cause of the state and remove regional economic divides. India may
witness the ominous possibility of 'cessation of the successful'
states unburdened by history. For those states, history is factored
into their favour.
For example, establishment of Indian Institute of Science by the Tatas
in '20s and broad banding of telephone system in Karnataka in '80s has
ensured that Bangalore leads the software revolution in India. While
the macro economy leap frogged in India, there followed increasing
public finance crisis. Since the 80s, to keep electoral pace or
populism, the Congress Party started embracing right wing politics.
Later on, the authentic right wing parties stole its thunder and led
to its ultimate marginalisation. However, inspite of political
differences, there is complete unanimity over the question of
development in these states.
How can states like Bihar, without the muscle of the market or the
mineral or the high valued human resources, matter for the national
elite? How do they view the forthcoming assembly election here? As
long as the parliamentary democracy exists in India, states like Bihar
cannot be dispensed with totally. It will continue to provide
electoral subsidy in the central government formation, in the way
freight equalisation subsidised India's industrialisation, without
Bihar benefiting on either count. Not only was Bihar historically
ignored, it was punished from time to time. When a new social segment
rose to the helm of political power in Bihar through existing
democratic institutions, it was so unimaginable that it was considered
almost a blasphemy. Bihar was unceremoniously bifurcated, without
being given any financial package. The retarded and the spastic
political elite and the (un)intelligentsia of the state did not
realise the implication of the division. The 2000 Assembly Election
gave a de facto seal to the division spelling near financial doom.
Even after acceding to the whim of the national elite, Bihar was
discriminated equally by NDA as well as by UPA on this count.
Unfortunately, these concerns do not get reflected in the manifestoes
or in the discourses of the different political parties that are
jockeying for political power in the state.
In recent period, especially since the parliamentary election of 2004,
the ruling elite in Bihar is trying to incorporate or being
incorporated by the same social forces with whom it had fought a
relentless battle in the last one and half decade. In case it happens,
what will be its implication in the 'social justice' constituency, is
to be seen in the assembly election. For the Congress, marginalisation
of the social justice constituency is the main agenda in Bihar. From
the way it allowed the UPA constituency to fall apart in the Bihar
Assembly Election, it is indicated that it cannot hope for any revival
of its fortune in the tri- or quadrupolar politics of today. It can
thrive only on bipolar politics, even if it entails bringing NDA back
to power in Bihar. Otherwise, it cannot be a party of reckoning in the
next parliamentary election of 2009.
Given a choice, BJP will also not like to pursue a different strategy.
One may remember here that in the last parliamentary election, Advani
exhorted the voters in Haryana to vote for Congress rather for INLD, a
regional ruling party. Unlike Maharastra, the Bihar election is not
important for the Congress because of its limited market and meagre
internal resource base. In the market dynamics, it is not a sunrise
state. Because of its small market, Bihar may go out of the cognitive
world of the national elites. However, this is the only state in the
country where various streams of politics still survive in an
authentic manner. In Bihar, bipolar politics of the same ideological
persuasion has not predominated. Here different ideological concerns
are robust and kicking. Will the Congress and the BJP together will be
able to ensure the end of 'sunset' politics in Bihar, in this
election? That would determine the survival or extinction of sunset
politics in the rest of the country.

The writer is an economist and member secretary Asian Development
Research Institute (ADRI), Patna

Thanks,
	 Much informatic.
	 with regads


Dr. Dalip Kumar
Manager (Projects)
National Council of Applied Economic Research
Parisila Bhawan, 11 - Indraprastha Estate
New Delhi - 110 002
Tel:011-23379862-63, Fax:011-23370164
Emai : dkumar@...

> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dinesh Kumar Mishra [SMTP:dineshkmishra@...]
> > Sent: 14 January 2005 00:18
> > To: biharchintan@...
> > Cc: srjha@...; psingh@...; sirfirf@...;
> > kvtango@...; mishradk@...
> > Subject: [biharchintan] 50th Anniversary
> >
> >   Dear All,
> > This may interest you.
> >
> > Dinesh Mishra
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >  <http://clients.rediff.com/signature/track_sig.asp>
> >
> >   _____
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
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> > <http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>.
> >  << File: English_Kosi.doc >>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>

Thanks,
Much informatic.
with regads

Dr. Dalip Kumar
Manager (Projects)
National Council of Applied Economic Research
Parisila Bhawan, 11 - Indraprastha Estate
New Delhi - 110 002
Tel:011-23379862-63, Fax:011-23370164
Emai : dkumar@...

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dinesh Kumar Mishra [SMTP:dineshkmishra@...]
> Sent: 14 January 2005 00:18
> To: biharchintan@...
> Cc: srjha@...; psingh@...; sirfirf@...;
> kvtango@...; mishradk@...
> Subject: [biharchintan] 50th Anniversary
>
>   Dear All,
> This may interest you.
>
> Dinesh Mishra
>
>
>
>
>  <http://clients.rediff.com/signature/track_sig.asp>
>
>   _____
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> * To visit your group on the web, go to:
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>
> * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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>  << File: English_Kosi.doc >>

  Dear All,
This may interest you.

Dinesh Mishra

Dear friends,
Sorry for my late response to the mail though the
seriousness of the matter raised in the mail justifies
my being late than never.
I thank Mr. Deepak Bharti for raising this important
issue.  It is the importance of the issue that I am
ready to overlook his irresponsible and self-righteous
way of raising it - alleging Actionaid for being
non-transparent even without any attempt to know about
the measures adopted by Actionaid and its partners.
At least he should have contacted us before making any
comment (he too is a partner NGO of Actionaid).
Any way, let me reiterate that we are willing to go
the whole hog in so far as transparency is concerned.
I suggest that a meeting be called to take stock of
the type and level of transparency adopted by various
organisations.  Meeting can be called in Patna or in
any district headquarter.  I assure Actionaid's
participation whosoever takes the lead to organise the
meeting.  If needed, we can also undertake the
responsibility of calling the meeting.
If any of you is interested we can send you written
material on our efforts to ensure transparency in
flood relief.

Another clarification.  It is not fair to drag NAPM's
name in the flood relief.  ActionAid has not worked
through NAPM for flood relief.  At least this much of
responsible reporting is expected from any one who
claims to be champion of transparency.
Regards.
Pushpendra
Actionaid India, Patna

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>
> Please find my mailing address
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> Tuglakabad Extn.
> New Delhi
> --- Dinesh Kumar Mishra
> <dineshkmishra@...>
> wrote:
>
> >   
> > Dear All,
> >
> > I have just published a booklet titled, 'Story of
> a
> > Ghost River and Engineering Witchcraft'. This
> > relates to the Bhutahi Balan River of district
> > Madhubani It is a billingual book 40 pages (Half
> in
> > Hindi)and I have sent a copy to some whose postal
> > address was with me.If anyone of you interested in
> > it, I will send a copy. Please give your mailing
> > address. Contributions welcome.
> >
> > Dinesh Mishra
>
>
>
>
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Please find my mailing address
Van Duo Island
D-47/339,Ruin Villa
Tuglakabad Extn.
New Delhi
--- Dinesh Kumar Mishra <dineshkmishra@...>
wrote:

>   
> Dear All,
>
> I have just published a booklet titled, 'Story of a
> Ghost River and Engineering Witchcraft'. This
> relates to the Bhutahi Balan River of district
> Madhubani It is a billingual book 40 pages (Half in
> Hindi)and I have sent a copy to some whose postal
> address was with me.If anyone of you interested in
> it, I will send a copy. Please give your mailing
> address. Contributions welcome.
>
> Dinesh Mishra




__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
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Dear All,

I have just published a booklet titled, 'Story of a Ghost River and Engineering Witchcraft'. This relates to the Bhutahi Balan River of district Madhubani It is a billingual book 40 pages (Half in Hindi)and I have sent a copy to some whose postal address was with me.If anyone of you interested in it, I will send a copy. Please give your mailing address. Contributions welcome.

Dinesh Mishra

 
Dear All,

I have just published a booklet titled, 'Story of a Ghost River and Engineering Witchcraft'. This relates to the Bhutahi Balan River of district Madhubani It is a billingual book 40 pages (Half in Hindi)and I have sent a copy to some whose postal address was with me.If anyone of you interested in it, I will send a copy. Please give your mailing address. Contributions welcome.

Dinesh Mishra

 
I welcome the idea but I am also not the one to moderate.

Dinesh Mishra

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 S R Jha wrote :
>Dear ( All Bihar chintan yahoo group members ),
>
>On the basis of reading through the mails from members of the Group, I have a suggestion.
>
>I feel we should have professionally organised, moderated and focussed discussion forum in which group members may express their considered opinions on issues of common concern in respect of Bihar. It is so because, I believe, a focussed, objective, action oriented, and time - bound discussion on the problems of Bihar can guide us in discovering our roles in improving the situation there.
>
>If this idea is acceptable to all of us, the next related issue is : Who among us is professionally competent and willing to spare time to become " MODERATOR " of the proposed discussion forum ? ( I know for sure that I am not the one. )
>
>Let us think it over and find out. By the way, any volunteer(s) ?
>
>Sudip
>
>-----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 t

 
I welcome the idea but I am also not the one to moderate.

Dinesh Mishra

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 S R Jha wrote :
>Dear ( All Bihar chintan yahoo group members ),
>
>On the basis of reading through the mails from members of the Group, I have a suggestion.
>
>I feel we should have professionally organised, moderated and focussed discussion forum in which group members may express their considered opinions on issues of common concern in respect of Bihar. It is so because, I believe, a focussed, objective, action oriented, and time - bound discussion on the problems of Bihar can guide us in discovering our roles in improving the situation there.
>
>If this idea is acceptable to all of us, the next related issue is : Who among us is professionally competent and willing to spare time to become " MODERATOR " of the proposed discussion forum ? ( I know for sure that I am not the one. )
>
>Let us think it over and find out. By the way, any volunteer(s) ?
>
>Sudip
>
>-----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 :
> >
> >
> >
> >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.
> >
> >Your friend
> >Himanshu
>
>
>
>
>  <http://clients.rediff.com/signature/track_sig.asp>
>
>  _____
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>*     To visit your group on the web, go to:
>http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/biharchintan/
>
>
>*     To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>biharchintan-unsubscribe@... <mailto:biharchintan-unsubscribe@...?subject=Unsubscribe>
>
>
>*     Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
>
>

 
I welcome the idea but I am also not the one to moderate.

Dinesh Mishra

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 S R Jha wrote :
>Dear ( All Bihar chintan yahoo group members ),
>
>On the basis of reading through the mails from members of the Group, I have a suggestion.
>
>I feel we should have professionally organised, moderated and focussed discussion forum in which group members may express their considered opinions on issues of common concern in respect of Bihar. It is so because, I believe, a focussed, objective, action oriented, and time - bound discussion on the problems of Bihar can guide us in discovering our roles in improving the situation there.
>
>If this idea is acceptable to all of us, the next related issue is : Who among us is professionally competent and willing to spare time to become " MODERATOR " of the proposed discussion forum ? ( I know for sure that I am not the one. )
>
>Let us think it over and find out. By the way, any volunteer(s) ?
>
>Sudip
>
>-----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 :
> >
> >
> >
> >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.
> >
> >Your friend
> >Himanshu
>
>
>
>
>  <http://clients.rediff.com/signature/track_sig.asp>
>
>  _____
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>*     To visit your group on the web, go to:
>http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/biharchintan/
>
>
>*     To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>biharchintan-unsubscribe@... <mailto:biharchintan-unsubscribe@...?subject=Unsubscribe>
>
>
>*     Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
>
>

 
I welcome the idea but I am also not the one to moderate.

Dinesh Mishra

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 S R Jha wrote :
>Dear ( All Bihar chintan yahoo group members ),
>
>On the basis of reading through the mails from members of the Group, I have a suggestion.
>
>I feel we should have professionally organised, moderated and focussed discussion forum in which group members may express their considered opinions on issues of common concern in respect of Bihar. It is so because, I believe, a focussed, objective, action oriented, and time - bound discussion on the pr

 
I welcome the idea but I am also not the one to moderate.

Dinesh Mishra

On Thu, 14 Oct 2004 S R Jha wrote :
>Dear ( All Bihar chintan yahoo group members ),
>
>On the basis of reading through the mails from members of the Group, I have a suggestion.
>
>I feel we should have professionally organised, moderated and focussed discussion forum in which group members may express their considered opinions on issues of common concern in respect of Bihar. It is so because, I believe, a focussed, objective, action oriented, and time - bound discussion on the problems of Bihar can guide us in discovering our roles in improving the situation there.
>
>If this idea is acceptable to all of us, the next related issue is : Who among us is professionally competent and willing to spare time to become " MODERATOR " of the proposed discussion forum ? ( I know for sure that I am not the one. )
>
>Let us think it over and find out. By the way, any volunteer(s) ?
>
>Sudip
>
>-----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 :
> >
> >
> >
> >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.
> >
> >Your friend
> >Himanshu
>
>
>
>
>  <http://clients.rediff.com/signature/track_sig.asp>
>
>  _____
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>*     To visit your group on the web, go to:
>http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/biharchintan/
>
>
>*     To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>biharchintan-unsubscribe@... <mailto:biharchintan-unsubscribe@...?subject=Unsubscribe>
>
>
>*     Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <http://in.docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .
>
>

-----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 :
>
>
>
>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.
>
>Your friend
>Himanshu

 
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 :
>
>
>
>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.
>
>Your friend
>Himanshu

 


Dear Rajesh,
I received all your mails and I did not respond quickly. The mails of August 29, only confirm the already known contempt of outsiders about Biharis. When Re Bihari is pronounced,with each utterence of Re Bihari comes an abuse and humiliation to Biharis and so what if somebody resisted and became violent- Dil hi to hai, na sango Khisht, gam se nahin bhar aye kyun... I know this is not the answer. The answer is to face the truth , the answer is to sruggle to change the truth and the answer is to work together. But Nagurjun baba once wrote- Man karata hai ki nanga hokar jor jor se chillaon...Apna bhi man, nahin har Bihari ka man, kabhi kabhi aisa hi karta hai! 
The theft of relief money is not new, only it was repeated again. Hame kuchcha karna hoga. Jagna jagana hoga Aur kya ho sakta hai... Jo pahredar hai, wahi chor hai, aur apna koi jor chalata hi nahin... man karata hai ki nanga hokar jor jor se chillaon. Kahan gaye Sampurna kranti ke bete- history sheeters, dhokhebaj, satta ke lobhi? Janata ke nam par haram ka khate hai or kohram machate hain. Roti ki ladai se samay bacha to main bhi kuchch na kuchcha karunga. Aur ye sath sath sath kyon nahain ho sakta!   

 


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.

Your friend
Himanshu   

From: prabhat kumar

To: biharchintan@...

Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 10:15 AM

Subject: Re: [biharchintan] Appeal for transparency in flood relief bihar

dear deepakjee   aap key patra ka swagat hai. prabhat
kha
Deepak Bharti <deepak1004@...> wrote:

Dear All

We from Bihar Jan Pahal and  Lok Shakti Sangathan (A mass movement organization) appeal to all International Donor agencies/ Ngos who is working in Bihar for flood relief and Rehabilation to be more transparent. Transparency is not to say only but it must be appear on working place. For transparency and to avoid duplicacy, Donor Agencies or Ngo should fix a sine board on relief and rehabilation working place in Hindi or Regional language.This is first step of Right to Information and transparency. As for our information near about 20 International Doner Agencies working in Bihar Flood Relief and Rehabilation.

 TDH raised 76 lakhs to work through six ngo partner but only one ngo partner  Kisan Vikas Trust displayed the board on working place in Khagaria district. Similarly Swiss Red Cross raised one crore and thirty lakhs to work through three partner, but only one partner Samajik Shaikshanik Vikas Kendre (ssvk) in Jhanjharpur sub division  (Madhubani District) with full detailed displayed a board of 8/4 Feet on the road side of working place and organization,s campus also.ssvk printed materials name and quantity on beneficiary coupons. Ssvk received a tune of Rupees 51,19,225.00. from swiss red cross. Ssvk constituted a 65 members monitoring committee from its target groups. Relief has been operated through its target community members and local workers. ssvk sent the copy of approved budget for flood relief to all concern govt. officials.  On the occasion of relief distribution 21^st of September 2004 in ssvk Jhanjharpur campus, Darbhanga commissioner Mr. K.P.Ramayya instructed his govt. official as well as panchayats to fix the board on working place like SSVK. Actionaid raised one crore rupees and working through one partner in champaran and in Darbhanga Actionaid is working Directly through NAPM  Convenor and its staff. But there is not any  fix board or any sign of transparency on working place. Oxfam GB also could not fix the board in madhubani district. Flood effected people do not know how much resources coming for him. For example one ngo of Bhusara (Gaighat) Muzaffarpur is claiming flood relief with four donor agencies like swiss red cross 38 Lakhs, care, plan international and the hunger project in Gaighat block and another ngo is also claiming of flood relief in Gaighat block with the help of Oxfam Hongkong. Peoples of Gaighat do not know how much resources coming for him .Without putting village list, material list and Donors name in the Fix Board, how can any ngo claim that there is no duplicacy there and they are transparent. How they can question to the representative of panchayats and the government officials morally. We expect to positive step as early as possible that Doner Agencis  and its partners ngo will come foreward in the larger interest of flood effected people,s of north bihar. Lok Shakti Sangathan Bihar has written a letter to the chief secretary of  bihar ( Chief Secretary is coordinating relief operation in bihar) and requested him to  instruct the govt. officials, Ngos/ Donor agencies as well as panchayats representative to fix the board with full detail in working place to maintain transparency and right to information in the larger  interest of people.

Lok Shakti Sangathan Bihar is planning to launch the right to information campaign in the state regarding relief and other developmental programme.

List of International Donor Agencies working in North Bihar Flood Relief and Rehabilation:

1. Unicef

2. Oxfam G B

3. Indian Red Cross Society

4. Care India

5.  Efficor

6. Caritas-India

7.  Christian Aid

8.  World Vision India

9. CASA

10. Swiss Red Cross

11.ECHO

12. IFRC

13. The Discipleship Centre

14. tere desh homes (TDH)

15.UNDP

16.The Hunger Project

17. ActionAid

18. Medicines Senf (MSS)

19. Oxfam Hongkong

20. Plan International

with regards

sincerely yours

Deepak Bharti

member

Bihar Jan Pahal

       &

State convenor

Lok shakti sangathan,Bihar

> ATTACHMENT part 2 application/msword name=Appeal for transparency in Flood Relief Bihar.doc

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From: prabhat kumar

To: biharchintan@...

Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 10:15 AM

Subject: Re: [biharchintan] Appeal for transparency in flood relief bihar

dear deepakjee   aap key patra ka swagat hai. prabhat
kha
Deepak Bharti <deepak1004@...> wrote:

Dear All

We from Bihar Jan Pahal and  Lok Shakti Sangathan (A mass movement organization) appeal to all International Donor agencies/ Ngos who is working in Bihar for flood relief and Rehabilation to be more transparent. Transparency is not to say only but it must be appear on working place. For transparency and to avoid duplicacy, Donor Agencies or Ngo should fix a sine board on relief and rehabilation working place in Hindi or Regional language.This is first step of Right to Information and transparency. As for our information near about 20 International Doner Agencies working in Bihar Flood Relief and Rehabilation.

 TDH raised 76 lakhs to work through six ngo partner but only one ngo partner  Kisan Vikas Trust displayed the board on working place in Khagaria district. Similarly Swiss Red Cross raised one crore and thirty lakhs to work through three partner, but only one partner Samajik Shaikshanik Vikas Kendre (ssvk) in Jhanjharpur sub division  (Madhubani District) with full detailed displayed a board of 8/4 Feet on the road side of working place and organization,s campus also.ssvk printed materials name and quantity on beneficiary coupons. Ssvk received a tune of Rupees 51,19,225.00. from swiss red cross. Ssvk constituted a 65 members monitoring committee from its target groups. Relief has been operated through its target community members and local workers. ssvk sent the copy of approved budget for flood relief to all concern govt. officials.  On the occasion of relief distribution 21^st of September 2004 in ssvk Jhanjharpur campus, Darbhanga commissioner Mr. K.P.Ramayya instructed his govt. official as well as panchayats to fix the board on working place like SSVK. Actionaid raised one crore rupees and working through one partner in champaran and in Darbhanga Actionaid is working Directly through NAPM  Convenor and its staff. But there is not any  fix board or any sign of transparency on working place. Oxfam GB also could not fix the board in madhubani district. Flood effected people do not know how much resources coming for him. For example one ngo of Bhusara (Gaighat) Muzaffarpur is claiming flood relief with four donor agencies like swiss red cross 38 Lakhs, care, plan international and the hunger project in Gaighat block and another ngo is also claiming of flood relief in Gaighat block with the help of Oxfam Hongkong. Peoples of Gaighat do not know how much resources coming for him .Without putting village list, material list and Donors name in the Fix Board, how can any ngo claim that there is no duplicacy there and they are transparent. How they can question to the representative of panchayats and the government officials morally. We expect to positive step as early as possible that Doner Agencis  and its partners ngo will come foreward in the larger interest of flood effected people,s of north bihar. Lok Shakti Sangathan Bihar has written a letter to the chief secretary of  bihar ( Chief Secretary is coordinating relief operation in bihar) and requested him to  instruct the govt. officials, Ngos/ Donor agencies as well as panchayats representative to fix the board with full detail in working place to maintain transparency and right to information in the larger  interest of people.

Lok Shakti Sangathan Bihar is planning to launch the right to information campaign in the state regarding relief and other developmental programme.

List of International Donor Agencies working in North Bihar Flood Relief and Rehabilation:

1. Unicef

2. Oxfam G B

3. Indian Red Cross Society

4. Care India

5.  Efficor

6. Caritas-India

7.  Christian Aid

8.  World Vision India

9. CASA

10. Swiss Red Cross

11.ECHO

12. IFRC

13. The Discipleship Centre

14. tere desh homes (TDH)

15.UNDP

16.The Hunger Project

17. ActionAid

18. Medicines Senf (MSS)

19. Oxfam Hongkong

20. Plan International

with regards

sincerely yours

Deepak Bharti

member

Bihar Jan Pahal

       &

State convenor

Lok shakti sangathan,Bihar

> ATTACHMENT part 2 application/msword name=Appeal for transparency in Flood Relief Bihar.doc

---

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