Assam in North East part of India has been facing two major problems - the infiltration of foreigners from neighbouring countries (especially Bangladesh) and the ongoing revolution between the banned separatist group -United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the Indian Government for the past 27 years.
Their cause- Assam has been exploited way too long hence demands an independent Assam, separate from India. In this teaser video (a documentary in the making), Sanchayita, who now lives in London makes a personal journey to her place of birth and talks to the rebels, ex-rebels and their families about their life now and during the past two decades .
( click here to watch the same film on youtube)
If you want more , watch the 10 minute clip : Blood in my valley
7 comments:
Hello:
While I commend the attempt to tell the story of ULFA, its rise and its
effects on Assam and the members' families; the result is an woefully
inadequate product. It is neither comprehensive nor a fair representation of all that was and is involved. There was no attempt to explore why ULFA happened, beyond the perfunctory homage paid to 'neglect/exploitation'. The product dwells on convenient examples of exceesses of violence but does not deal with what gave rise to it -- leaving the uninitiated viewer to think that it is in the Assamese genes. The effort ignores entirely Assam establishment,its keepers' and the Indian politico-military machinery's hands in the emergence of ULFA and its sustenance thru the decades. And finally the play on Arabinda Rajkhowas' aging and ailing mother's emotions is nothing less than a brazen exploitation that could not have been better orchestrated by RAW and the Indian propaganda machinery.
I am sorry to see yet another possibly well-meaning Assamese succumbing to the simplistic and superficial credo of the milieu she comes from--the spineless, apathetic and ignorant Assamese establishment, created in the image of its mentors and role model--the Indian middle class lacking even a minimal amount of intellectual foundation.
thanks for taking interest. I agree to some of your comments but not all. I didn't like the portion I was in as its their story, not mine hence the 10 min slot was produced. The entire doc in the making has the cause and why it took up guns etc.one cannot include everything in a teaser video. I felt the 10 min was too crowded too.
one request -please don't use RAW here as this is purely the filmmakers unbiased effort and moreover RAW is too common and an old tactic of blaming someone else.
btw, just out of curiosity, how would you tell the story if you had a chance? do stay in touch.
Hello Again:
I did not have any problem with your being in the teaser video. But it is the absence of depth that I take issue with. Snippets of comments lacking context does not tell a story. It trivializes the tragedy of our people. Ten thousand plus lives of our people ought to mean something.
I did not suggest you are in cahoots with RAW. But what came thru could not have been something better orchestrated by RAW and the desi-media eating out of the hands of the Indian propaganda ministry on the matter. I hope you understand the difference here.
I made the analogy to underscore the net effect. Your effort ended up looking like a cynical exploitation and mindless propaganda -- something we see routinely in the pages of the Statesman, the Sentinel or the Assam Tribune. I would have hoped to see something more objective, more insightful from an Assamese young lady who grew up in a liberal western society, exposed to more substantial treatment of life and death issues like this.
Perhaps you can take a fresh look at the subject by asking a simple question: What made so many of our young men and women take to arms, knowing full well the might of its 'enemy' and the almost certain outcome of an untimely death. And what has sustained it for a quarter of a century, against such overwhelming odds ?
Regards.
absolutely. Now u are talking. the earlier statement of yours felt like you wrote it with a lot of anger inside hence was over the top on a mere teaser video. these are just snippets of my full docu which is an hour long.I didn't have the intension to tell any story there.that's why it is a "teaser" the q's you mentioned is in my main docu but you cannot give everything away in a teaser. also, one cannot include everything that has happened so far else it would be too long a film.I am not an intellectual but I have done substantial research because I am deeply interested in the subject as a fellow assamese.
Moreover, I am a filmmaker and an observational one. The idea is to tell their views thru them ( both ULFA and Govt). What you saw, just gives you an idea about the subject I am dealing with is.
I am tired of people blaming each other and want to put a balanced or rather an objective point of view. Let’s walk up and smell the coffee but hey you cannot make a film for everybody. therefore a few people like you might remain dissatisfied and I can handle that with a pinch of salt.filmmakers are used to that and we grow up to be thickskinned..goror saal. no worries. Thanks for getting back thou and keep it coming. Did you watch the other video..the 10 min clip (blood in my Valley)? it has a bit more than the other one but yet not the complete film.do keep that in mind. would love to hear your comments on that too.
Hello There:
I have no anger. But a lot of disappointment with my fellow men ( and women ) who are unable to take an in-depth look at the issues involved. The internet is rife with their uninformed and knee-jerk commentary, devoid of the most rudimentary of critical thinking and inquiry.
You write about giving both sides of the story of ULFA and the Govt. The Teaser includes SULFA views. And what govt. are you alluding to? Indian Govt.? Or the Assam Govt.? Have you followed the Indian govt's. stance on this insurgency spanning all these years? Is there any coherence? Does its right hand know what its left goes about waving? Does it heed its own counsel? Has it displayed an iota of sincereity in its proclamation of democratic values and willingness to find a political solution? And have Assam govts., past and present shown an ability to articulate an independent position that it can deliver on? What is the value of such govts' opinions?
Again a suggestion on testing India's commitments to democratic values: When has Indian law-enforcement and justice systems
taken an ULFA cadre of substance into custody, given a public hearing and trial, which could lead to a public discourse on the underlying issues? Ask them to show you one example. Instead you will find summary justice meted out. That is the quality of Indian democracy.
I have not seen your Blood in My Valley. I will look that up when I get a chance. Where can I see the complete version of Language of Tears?
LOT and Blood in my valley are titles names for different videos given for the same doc (just teasers). You tube only allows 10 mins. I hope to complete my docu before the end of this year.
What is wrong with SULFA views? Again i wanted to see it with an objective POV. Their experience during their stay with the rebel group. Agreed, a handful of sulfas ( business men in the cities) have destroyed their names. On the other hand I have met a whole lot of others sulfas who are leading a simple life, some has free school for the village children, one has a cycle shop. They don’t have black money to have lavish lifestyles. Only the top guys did. these lower rank cadres lost their believe and came out and are trying to make a life in a society that is not too nice to them. people make mistakes and people have choices. We all do. Therefore we cannot brand them as ugly people just because their colleges have abused the system. It will be wrong put all of them in one basket just like you feel you views are different than the fellow Assamese around the globe. also I am emphasising more on the personal stories as far as the ex rebels and the rebel families are concerned. My docu cannot give a slution. wish a film can then life would have been so simple. Note that my film is not a political one but is based on a political subject. It’s impossible to get access to the top rebels. I gspoke to a lady who was out on bail. But tomorrow if you met PB, what would you ask? Why do you think the govt of India failed the peace talks. what advice would you give to the Govt. given the current conditions, what does the future of Assam looks like to you?
I agree there are loopholes in the govt. the old British laws haven’t changed in many departments. But since that is the current governance, I need to cover their story. I am not following whose views are right or wrong. Just giving a platform to the audience to decide and see the real picture said by the real people. That is documentary for you.
You seem to know where the problem lies hence frustrated about it. I have met a few who shares the same thoughts like you but no one could speak about something that is workable. Can you tell us about a sensible solution that can be implemented and works for both the parties? I am sure your input will make sense.
Hi,
I really liked the video.. and appreciate the efforts of the people who made an attempt..
In every (Asomiya) meeting I've attended in UK, Mumbai, Assam or anywhere in the world.. I've seen people only talking about problems..
Problems with the people
problems with the government
problems with the system..etc..
I understand people really care or are concerned about some of the issues.. but, my question is.. do they really want to do something about it?
No one really talks about solutions to the problems..
My personal opinion.. when we just discuss problems.. problems still persist.. they don't disappear..
If we discuss solutions as well.. and probably act on it.. then I think we could make a difference..
Otherwise, its more or less useless..
Regards
and
Best Wishes
Mayur Barooah
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