GUWAHATI, Nov 24 � Former Joint Secretary of Central Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, YN Rai on Wednesday called upon the people of the State to make a common cause with the people of the other Asian countries that would be adversely affected by the water diversion policy of China.
Speaking at a function organized on the occasion of Lachit Divas by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) at the Bishnu Nirmala Trust auditorium here, Rai warned that Assam�s existence would be at stake by the dam constructed by China on the Brahmaputra river and urged the people of the State to raise the issue on a common platform to stop hijacking of common heritage rivers of Asia originating in Asia.
He observed that though China has been saying that the downstream lying neighbours including Assam would not be affected by its dams, the situation would be actually very grim for Assam that will suffer damage on all fronts right to biodiversity and culture.
He said that official efforts alone will not stop China from expanding its hegemonic design and voiced the need for a mass movement by the people of Assam to protest the Chinese intention.
Rai said that the intention of China was to use water as a weapon against its rivals including India and pointed out that once China succeeds in its intention, India will be at the mercy of China which will acquire the capability of shutting down water supply to India when needed in the dry months. Rai reiterated the need to save the Brahmaputra by stopping the hijacking of the water by China.
The function was attended by Soumitra Pujari, Assistant Prof, Department of History, Jorhat College who spoke at length on the duties and responsibilities of every Indian. Speaking more on a satirical manner, Pujari lamented the attitude of the Indians who in his opinion suffered from the syndrome of poor self esteem. Observing on the growing trend of Indians going crazy at everything imported, Pujari said this is the result of inferiority complex.
He said that the young generation must learn about the history of ancient Indian civilization so as to build their self esteem and love their country.
