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View Full Version : Could we have a separate forum on an International/Domestic concern of Bengal?


tony mitra
12-13-2007, 04:55 PM
Dear friends,

I am writing this both as a question to the administration of this forum system, as well as introducing a group of potential members and debaters who are absent from here altogether.

As some of you might remember, I was born in a small place in India, but lived in the US for some years before moving to Canada.

That small place is named SANTINIKETAN. You probably will not find it on a map. It is in eastern part of India, and roughly a hundred miles north of Kolkata, or Calcutta. Anyhow, its geographic location is not relevant here.

What is interesting for us, is that there are a lot of ex-students of that tiny little place, spread all around the world, from Europe, to Africa, to North and South America.

Lately, some of the ex students have been in search of a common and stable platform which can provide a sort of a bulletin board and discussion forum, where these ex students can come and read up what is happening with that tiny little place, and also what the Diaspora of ex students are planning to do etc.

There is also room for some healthy debate and discussion on how folks can help as members of the Alumni association or well wishers, to address problems that all places, tiny or not, face time to time as things change, as demography, politics and social changes sweeps across nations, regions, and the globe.

I personally have been rather impressed by the way this Democracy Forum is conducted.

My own comments here, sparce as they have been, often touched subjects not particularly complimentary of the US foreign policy, or the direction of its economic future etc. But, although this forum has so far been populated overwhelmingly by Americans, I have somehow excaped being lynched.

This in itself proves to me that the forum follows a certain standard and decorum, where discerning voices are not silenced, as long as posts are civil in tone and with substance.

So, here is my request and question.

Would it be proper for me to request the adminsitration of this Democracy Forum system, to create a separate forum for "SANTINIKETAN", either within the International section, if you are thinking of creating such a section, or someplace?

Anyone else would of course be able to see the posts there, and any member within this forum group would of course be free to comment on them if they so feel the urge of. But otherwise, it would be a forum only covering a tiny part of a remote corner of the world, whose exstudents are today spread far and wide in the west and the east, and a corner which is as much affected by the geopolitical tides of the world, as any other place.

Thats it.
I would appreciate any constructive help or suggestion.

With best regards
Tony Mitra
Delta, BC, Canada[hr]A small addition to my previous post.

We are not looking for creating an Alumni Association of a particular school or college. We are looking for a discussion forum representing all kinds of people from that place, of that place and interested in that place etc.

Thanks
Tony Mitra

Labrocca
12-13-2007, 08:57 PM
Well that's sort of off the radar for this site. Tony if your group wants to have a forums you should create one.

tony mitra
12-13-2007, 09:12 PM
Thanks for the quick response, Labrocca

I dont know how to create a good discussion forum but will look up.
I run a podcast which takes up a bit of my time.
Thanks for the response anyhow

Cheers
Tony

ECW
12-18-2007, 07:40 AM
Tony,

Might I suggest that you invite them here and then merely have them begin threads in the International Forum perhaps with the preface of SANTIN: Then whatever topic. There are a number of English speaking people not from the US already here and discussing issues and events that few Americans are even aware of and we all seem to get along just fine despite our differences.

If enough people show up, there may be a need for just such a forum but right now there isn't. One thing about DF and Labrocca is that when changes are needed, he does respond to the need. Show him that such a sub-forum would be viable and one may appear. Members way also start to reach out to other topics and forums and get an international perspective that we do not always get from our own media.

Good luck.

PatrickHenry
12-18-2007, 10:59 AM
Tony, I would be interested in what your compadres have to say about their point of origin.

I suggest you follow ECW's words of wisdom and see where it leads...

tony mitra
12-24-2007, 06:49 AM
Thanks ECW & Patrick Henry.
Will discuss it and see how folks feel.

Meanwhile, the world has gone into a holiday mode. I am up in the Rockies in Canada, and not returning back to earth till almost year end.

Thanks again.
Wishing everyone a merry Chirstmas and a most happy and prosperous new year

Tony

ECW
12-24-2007, 07:45 AM
I hope you don't go up there dressed like you are in your avatar.