Absu to pray in front of ministers’ idols

P.B. CHOUDHURY
Kokrajhar, Feb. 17: The All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu) has hit upon a novel idea to protest against alleged inaction of Dispur to address the problems faced by Bodo-medium schools.
In areas under the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) as well as in Darrang, Sonitpur, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts, where there are Bodo-medium schools, Absu activists will put up idols of chief minister Tarun Gogoi and education minister Ripun Bora tomorrow.
As if that is not enough, they will also pray before the idols for free books, teachers and better infrastructure for the Bodo-medium schools.

Idols of Gogoi and Bora will be installed in Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa and Chirang districts under the BTAD. Absu and the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) have been urging the government to lift the ban on the appointment of teachers and provincialisation of Bodo-medium venture schools. It is alleged that 488 lower primary (LP), 312 middle English and 160 high schools (Bodo and Assamese medium) are being run without regular teachers.
The president of the Absu, Rwngwra Narzary, said: “Our repeated appeal to Dispur to solve problems faced by the Bodo-medium schools and students studying there, fell on deaf ears.
“After trying every possible way, we want them to hear our grievances through their idols.”
Most of the Bodo-medium schools suffer because of poor building infrastructure, lack of adequate teachers and delay in publication and supply of textbooks, Narzary said adding that shortage of teachers because of non-fulfilment of posts aggravated the problem.
“There are no replacements for retired teachers for the last few years making it difficult for students to continue their studies.”
Narzary alleged that classes were not being held in Bodo-medium LP schools in Baksa district because of non-availability of teachers.
“The students of Bodo- medium schools are deprived of quality education and other facilities. Two Bodo-medium schools, Podhapar Hangar-khata LP School and Borbhera LP School, in Baksa district that fall under the constituency of BTC executive member in charge of education, Emanual Mushahary, are now lying defunct and there are no teachers,” Narzary said.

NDFB bandh withdrawn

Kokrajhar: The NDFB on Sunday lifed its indefinite Baksa bandh from 5am on Monday to enable the students to take the HSSLC and HS examinations.
Trucker killed

Silver jubilee celebration of Bodo Sahitya Sabha

GAURIPUR, Feb 17 – The silver jubilee celebration and the 25th annual conference of Parbatijhora District Bodo Sahitya Sabha was held in the premises of Duligaon High School near here with a three-day programme. Suman Narzary, principal, Tipkai HS School declared open the main gate of the Sabha amidst large gathering and followed by opening of delegates camp by Satya Narayan Brahma. The delegates session held in the evening of the first day was chaired by Pramod Kumar Brahma. A cultural evening was also organised to mark the first day of the celebration held on February 4 last.

On the second day of the function, the flag of the literary organisation was hoisted by the president Bibhishan Brahma and was followed by Smriti Tarpan and Banti Prajyalan. The felicitation meeting held under the chairmanship of Janil Kumar Brahma, the Sahitya Academy awardee felicitated a number of distinguished personalities including Dadhi Ram Brahma, ex DPI, Keshab Chandra Brahma the first president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Naresh Chandra Brahma, Radio & Television artist and folk singer Manindra Brahma and a few others.

On the third day of the annual meet, the delegates session passed a number of resolutions and elected Bibhisan Brahma to lead the next executive body of the Sahitya Sabha.

The open session held in the evening was presided over by Bibhisan Brahma and was opened by Dhananjay Brahma, retd lecturer, PB College, Gauripur. The meeting heartily felicitated Janil Kumar Brahma for his achievement in the field of Bodo literature. Brajendra Kumar Brahma, the president of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha addressed the open session as chief guest. The topper students of last HSLCE from among the community were also felicitated. The meeting was also addressed by a large number of distinguished guests including Jiran Basumatary, Sari Bhusan Brahma, Banendra Kumar Mushahary, Guneswar Mushahary, Hemchandra Brahma and a few others. An attractive cultural function was also organised in the evening and was attended by thousands of people of all communities.

ABSU committed to Mission Quality Education: Narzary

UDALGURI, Feb 17 – “Teachers and guardians of Bodo medium schools of the state have considerable responsibility to better the education scenario of Bodo medium schools where there has been downfall in quality. The influence and mushroom growth of English medium schools have pushed most of the guardians to educate their wards in English medium, but there are dozens of instances where a good number of students educated in Bodo medium have excelled in academic performance and enjoying honourable career.” This was said by Rwngwra Narzary, president of All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) while addressing a mammoth gathering of students and guardians in the open session of 33rd annual convention of Udalguri district committee of the students’ organisation as chief guest.

The ABSU president emphasised upon the Mission Quality Education launched by it in 2007 and said ABSU is committed to improve the quality of education in the Bodo medium schools. The open session was also addressed by Ramela Islary, vice president of ABWWF who stressed upon the work culture of Bodo women in the globalised world.

The open session which was inaugurated by Rabiram Ramchiary, president of Udalguri district Bodo Sahitya Sabha was presided over by Babul Basumatary, president of the Udalguri district committee of the students’ organiation. Among many others, the open session was attended by Prodeep Kumar Daimari, ex-deputy chief of earstwhile BAC, Lucash Daimari, general secretary of All Bodo Employees’ Federation (ABEF), Prafulla Kr Boro, vice president of ABSU and Rita Boro, general secretary of ABWWF.

Earlier in the day of the open session, ABSU and ABWWF flags were hoistd by Babul Basumatary, president of Udalguri district committee of ABSU and Bibimai Basumatary, president of Udalguri district ABWWF respectively followed by foundation of martyrs tomb laid by Kartick Ch Boro, MCLA of Harisinga constituency while ABSU vice president Prafulla Kr Boro offered floral tributes to the martyrs’, Puran Kanta Daimari, deputy speaker of BTC assembly released the souvenir while Nilakanta Goyary, general secretary of Udalguri BSS gave away the prizes to the winners of literary and sports competitions.

On Monday last, being the first day of the ABSU-ABWWF annual convention, Protul Kr Bhobora, retired DI of Schools inaugurated the main gate of the convention while Budaula Daimari, ex-president of Ambagaon Anchalik Committee of the students’ organisation inaugurated the Heriton Daimari memorial delegates’ camp of ABSU. Sumati Wary, ex-vice president of ABWWF inaugurated the ABWWF delegates’ camp. In the Debonath Basumatary Memorial Volleyball Competition participated by 11 regional committees of ABSU, Khoirabari regional ABSU and Borobazar regional ABSU emerged champion and runners’ up respectively. The Lakhiram Daimari memorial dining hall was inaugurated by Sarat Sengra Basumatary, ex-commander of Volunteer Force of Ambagaon regional ABSU. A Seminar on ‘Responsibilities of Elite Groups, teachers and parents in respect of quality education in the age of globalisation’ was inaugurated by Gojen Hazowary, exp-president of undivided Darrang ABSU which was chaired by Nandeswar Daimari, reputed Bodo litteraeur and headmaster of Ambagaon Bodo Medium High School Promod Boro, vice president of ABSU, Nabin Ch Boro, inspector of schools of Udalguri district circle attended the seminar as resource persons.

The John Basumatary Memorial Delegates Sessions of ABSU and ABWWF were inaugurated by Prasanna Sengra Daimari, ex-president of Ambagaon regional ABSU and Minoti Daimari, ex-president of Ambagaon regional committee of ABWWF respectively.

Literary competition was inaugurated by Louish Mochahari, public relation secretary of ABSU while the main delegates’ session was inaugurated by Gautam Mochahary, general secretary of the central committee of the students’ organisation which was conducted by Nickolson Khakhlari, president of the reception committee. Cultural competition in the last part of the first day was inaugurated by Rina Khakhlari, ex-secretary of ABWWF.

Education policy flayed : All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) has expressed its anguish over the activities of Emmanuel Mochahari, president executive member of BTC for education and said that the EM was not at all interested in solving the core problems in education sector in the BTC region. Talking to mediapersons here at Ambagaon on Tuesday, Rwngwra Narzary, president of ABSU alleged that there should have been appointment of teachers in the Bodo medium schools in the BTC region to improve education, but the education EM failed to understand the demand of the students’ organisations. He asserted that Bodo medium is not secured in the hands of Emmanual Mochahari addressed the ABSU and has demanded his immediate removal.

Regretting the poor show of Bodo medium students in HSLC and allied examinations, the ABSU president observed that most of the students who are felicitated by the state government are educated in the English medium schools and their academic improvement does not represent the improvement of education in the state until and unless the vernacular medium students are given due importance.

Criticising the policy of State government, Narzary also said mere construction of school buildings does not mean development in education sector if the government does not provide sufficient teachers in the schools. “To State government, panchayat elections seemed more important than the academic session in the state which could not be started in January,” Narzary added.

ABSU unveils action plan for congenial academic ambience

HOWRAGHAT, Feb 17 – The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), Karbi Anglong district unit has unveiled its annual action plan here on Sunday. As per resolutions of the executive committee, the general secretary Daman Basumatary stated through a press release that the student organization will provide its first preference to exempt the ‘educational institutions’ from the purview any bandh to be called by the organization for the greater interest of the student community.

Besides, the release further stated that the student organisation has adopted a rigid resolution with a view to create a smooth and healthy congenial academic atmosphere for the students by launching education related awareness drives in the district as well as in the State.

On the other hand, with a view to attract the Bodo students towards the Bodo Medium Schools a mission with the theme “ Save Bodo Medium”, 2008 in addition to the “ Year of Education and Quality Education” will be launched shortly from the next month, the student leader stated through the press release.

While seeking cooperation from the organizations like All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) and the Sahitya Sabhas of the different communities the student body stated that the prevailing bandh culture is badly hitting the students.

Hence, to eschew such harmful culture every organization will have to extend a collective support, the release added.

Provincialize Bodo medium schools: Narzary

KOKRAJHAR, Feb 16: The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) expressed displeasure over the State’s education policy for new reformative mechanism of provincialization of schools, appointment of teachers and improvement of education in the State yesterday.

Sources said the ABSU observed its 41st foundation day at Bodofa House, Kokrajhar yesterday with a day-long programme. The president of ABSU Rwngwra Narzary hoisted the flag. A discussion was also held at Bodofa House with Narzary in the chair the president of BSS Brajendra Kumar Brahma, Sahitya Akademy Awardee Dr Mangal Singh Hazoary, BTC planing officer Hori Charan Boro, principal of Kokrajhar College Binay Kumar Brahma, spoke on the occasion and was attended by other intellectuals and students.

Speaking to the mediapersons at Bodofa House the president of ABSU Narzary said that the Government was maintaining an indifferent attitude towards the Bodo medium for which a good number of Bodo medium schools are being closed especially in Upper Asom districts. He said there are only 9.33 of provincialized Bodo medium schools all over the State comprising LP 458, ME-312 and 160 High School while number of venture Bodo medium schools are 1488 of which 945 LP, 363 ME and 163 High School. He said almost 50 primary Bodo medium schools are still not provincialized and thus majority Bodo students are suffering from getting proper educational facilities.

Narzary said the ABSU has been demanding the provincialization of Bodo medium schools, appointment of adequate teachers, timely distribution of free text books and separate directorate for Bodo medium to improve the Bodo medium schools and other problems but the Asom Government and education department is maintaining a dignified silence over their demands. He also said the Government’s apathetic attitude towards Bodo medium was very unfortunate. The resource persons of SSA are continuing without any replacement, he said adding that the Government, has not filled up the regular posts for Bodo teacher in 458 LP Schools, 312 ME Schools and 160 High Schools despite these schools being provincialized.

The ABSU president while strongly criticizing the Government’s negligence towards Bodo medium, Narzary said the ABSU will stage a demonstration programme against non fulfilment of their demands in every district and subdivisions in every district and subdivisional head quarters on february 18. The theme of the demonstrations would be “provide text books and teachers”

Narzary said the student body will place the effigies of Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Education Minister Ripun Bora in the demonstration programme and will place their demand charter before the effigy to reply the ridiculous act. The students will pray before the effigies to fulfil their demands. He also appealed to the State’s intellectual circle to extend their cooperation towards fulfilment of demands to improve the educational scenario.

KOKRAJHAR, Feb 16: Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary is getting married to Sewli Brahma of Tipkai, Sangbanga on February 22 at his birthplace, Debargaon, about 10 km from Kokrajhar town. Sewli Brahma is the daughter of Batendra Brahma, retired principal of Tipkai HS School and a social worker of the locality.

Mohilary’s mother Budhbari Mohilary, who is now in the 80s, in an interview to The Sentinel said that she was very happy for Hagrama, who is the youngest son of the family. She added that Hagrama was always reluctant about marriage. “I feel so happy now that my son is going to tie the knot,” she said.

In another interview to The Sentinel, elder brother of the groom, Janaki Mohilary, who is an engineer in Nigeria, said arrangements were going on in full swing for the marriage. There will be seven dining halls categories for VIP, VVIP, general, vegetarian and guests from Bhutan. 3,000 guests will be accommodated in one sitting, Mohilary said, adding that 12,000 invitation cards have been printed and around 25,000 people will attend the wedding.

He also said the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and other ministers have consented to come.

Replying to a question regarding the bride’s father, Batendra Brahma being a follower of Brahma religion and Hagrama, a follower of Bathouism, he said that the bride would be wed under traditional Brahma rituals and after that the marriage would be solemnized as per Bathou rituals.

Meanwhile, Hagrama Mohilary refused to comment about his getting married but seemed to be quite happy.

A newly-built two-storeyed apartment has been prepared for the celebration. The designers entrusted are Mriduraj Basumatary and Debojit Sanowal. The food has been sponsored by Singhi Company Ltd. of Bilasipara.

The bride Sewli Brahma is an MA in Economics from Pune and at present working for her PhD under Gauhati University.

Tangla to have better road network by 2008: Brahma

UDALGURI, Feb 16 – It was at last after about three decades of eager waiting and dozens of demonstrations with demands that the people of Tangla have heaved a sigh of relief when Chandan Brahma, Panchayat and Rural Development and Transport Minister declared that the much demanded Mangaldoi-Bhutiachang PWD road through Kalaigaon and Tangla would be renovated and reconstructed within this year.

The much-valued declaration of the minister came when he was addressing the open session of Sixth Bodoland Day Celebration at Bordoloi Bhawan here at Tangla in Udalguri district as chief guest on Sunday.

Addressing the mammoth gathering in the open session organised by Khalingduar block committee of Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) and chaired by Bonjar Daimari, MCLA of Khalingduar BTC seat, Brahma also said the government was keen to develop the condition of rural region of the State. He also earned thunderous applause by declaring that the people of Tangla area would be able to avail the Tangla-Kokrajhar ASTC bus service from March next. The minister also assured to grant a permanent public bus stand soon.

Among many others, the open session of the two-day-long programme was also addressed by Kand Basumatari, MLA of Panery LAC and Karuna Kanta Swargiary, president of Bhergaon district committee of BPF.

Earlier on February 10 last being the first day of observation of Bodoland Day, Bonjar Daimari MCLA of Khalingduar constituency hoisted the BPF flag followed by homage to martyrs initiated by Karuna Kanta Swargiary, president of Bhergaon district unit of BPF. The first day’s programmes came to an end with delegates’ session, sports competitions and cultural nite.

The dilapidated Mangaldoi-Bhutiachang PWD road had been ignored for last three decades by the authorities concerned for reasons best known to them. Student organisations such as AASU, ABSU, AJYCP and several other social organisations of Kalaigaon, Bhergaon Tangla and Panery area had been demanding reconstruction of about 60-km PWD road from Mangaldoi to Bhutiachang since the last thirty years. The transport minister’s declaration to renovate the road within 2008 has boosted the enthusiasm of the people of the vast rural region.

BBC convention: The 94th edition of Bodo Baptist Convention (BBC) concluded here at Thoraibri in Harisinga recently .

The convention witnessed prayer by more than 45,000 devotees of about 284 mandals in the religious discourse.

On the first day, the door of the convention was inaugurated by Dr R Daimari followed by mass prayer conducted by Nelson Baglari, president of the convention while Rev Santosh Daimari read out the welcome address.

On the second day of the convention on February 1, Juron Basumatari hoisted the flag and conducted prayer.

In the second session, Hemol Basumatari, president of MC Zion Bible College presided over the convection of Zion Bible College followed by prayer conducted by Pranima Basumatari, vice president of women cell. This was followed by prayer conducted by Protul Daimari, executive member and Puhar Daimari.

Devotees from Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, Dimapur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Gohpur, Naduar, Charduar, Dhekiajuli, Parkijuli, Bagsa, Kokrajhar, Golaghat, Goalpara, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon and local areas througed the convention which witnessed a systematic arrangement for prayer food and accommodation for all.

Music workshop: Astha Sangeet Vidyapeth, a leading music institution of Mazbat organised a two-day-long workshop on Indian music of Pub Mazbat Nayanjyoti Yuvak Sangha premises recently.

The workshop was conducted by Dulali Mahanta and Rajasri Baruah as resource persons. The workshop on the first day was opened with a ‘bhajan’ presented by Karavi Acharya while the lamp on the occasion was lit by Dulali Mahanta.

More than 60 music, lovers were imparted basic knowledge on musical trends which are on the verge of extinction. NN Deka, secretary of the institution appealed to all participants to preserve trends of old Assamese music.

Bathou religious meet held at Darangipara

NALBARI, Feb 16 – The eighth annual conference of Kshetri Anchalik Bathou Dharma Sanmilan was held at Darangipara bathou mandir premises on February 8-9 with a two-day long programme.

On the first day a seminar on ‘Bathou dharmat sijur latparja was held with Daya Ram Basumatary in the chair. The second day’s programme began with the open prayer at 6.30 am. It was followed by the flag hoisting by Sriman Basumatary president of Kshetri Anchalik Bathou Dharma Sanmilan. The vice president of the Sanmilan Pabitra Boro performed Smriti tarpan.

Addressing the open meeting the minister of Agriculture and Tribal Development Pramila Rani Brahma called upon the people to show the religion of humanity with extending helping hands to the neighbouring poor. As agriculture minister Brahma urged the farmers to cultivate the habit of farming two-three crops at a session to meet the increasing demand. She also stressed on bio-cultivation to get quality crops.

The Revenue Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman in his speech called upon the people of all religions to work together with the religion of humanity to stop all kinds of violence in the State. Dr Barman requested the Agriculture Minister to take steps for horticultural farm in lower Assam districts in the style of small tea garden in upper Assam.

The open meeting presided over by Sriman Basumatary was addressed among others by Kanteswar Bargayari, chief organising secretary of All Bathou Dharma Mahasabha, Khagen Ramchiyary president of Nalbari Zilla Boro Sahitya Sabha, Mamtaj Ahmed, member of Mukalmua Zilla Parishad.