Source: Sumir Karmakar *
Guwahati , October 28 2009:
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is not the only person concerned about China's reported plan to construct a dam over Brahmaputra in the Tibetan region.
Gogoi has found a group of computer-savvy young supporters.
While Gogoi has moved Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up the issue with China, young supporters have adopted electronic route to vent their concern over the issue.
Students and young professionals have launched an E-campaign on a popular social networking site (Face book) not only to protest China's reported move but also to express concern on 'possible impact of the dam on the Northeastern states.
The campaign titled 'Save Brahmaputra River and the Northeastern States launched on the site after media flashed the news about the plan have attracted 428 fans so far.
Most of the fans are from Northeastern states and those residing outside the region and the country for education and jobs.
Parag Mudoi, one of the fans said, 'As I opened my account, the campaign suddenly attracted my attention.
Since the issue is a current and very serious one for all of us, I made no second thought but became a fan.
Mudoi (29), originally from Gohpur in Assam's Sonitpur district is working in Mumbai as a Research Officer of International Institute for Population Research Science.
The topic of discussion ranges from the assault Indian forces underwent during the 1962 Sino-Indian war to the 'lapses of the Indian security forces compared to Chinese.
The fans share views about the 'imminent threat posed to the country, particularly the Northeastern states from the proposed Chinese plan.
The group went to the extent of describing the dam as 'deepest canyon in world to block water of the Holy Brahmaputra River.
The fans are increasingly urging each others to send suggestions to new friends and send 'awakening message.
'There is an urgent need to aware more and more people about the issue.
So I decided to join the group and contribute to the cause, Mudoi said.
Another fan Ranjan K Baruah said, 'Social networking sites has emerged as a very popular media for awareness.
The group too can be a very important campaign on the issue.
Even as PM Manmohan Singh informed Gogoi that center did not have any definite information about the Chinese plan, that has not deterred new members to join the campaign on the site.
* The sender of this news can be contacted at sumir2007(at)gmail(dot)com .