Volume 2, Issue 7 | noVember 2023
State gears up for P3
sporting action
Assam is gearing up to its
biggest sporting festival which
is expected to touch the lives of
50 lakh people.
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
F
rom Dhubri to Sadiya and from Silchar to
Jonai, Assam is dancing, and humming.
One can hear the sonorous songs
of Bhupen Da and Rabindra Nath Tagore
being rehearsed at one place, and then be
mesmerised by the lyrics of Jyoti Prasad and
Bishnu Rabha at another. If this is not enough,
Bihu and other ethnic dances are bound to
captitvate her imaginations.
This is precisely what is being attempted
by the Government of Assam Sanskritik
Mahasangram initiative which begins on
November 10, 2023 and will continue till
February 7, 2024. Of course, the effect of the
initiative will go well beyond the date, just the
way it has started creating ripples well before
the main event.
Take the example of Arman Rahman of
Sonari’s Ward No.7 in Charaideo district. For
over a month when he first came to know about
the Mahasangram, Arman has been relentlessly
practising Bhupendra Sangeet, Jyoti Sangeet
and the melodies of Bishnu Rabha. His mission
is to get selected and perform these genres at
the State level in February. “This is a stage for
people like me. I have been learning music
from Class III onwards. I am lucky that I will
be competing in such a prestigious cultural
event,” Arman told Asom Barta.
From November 10 to November 30, Assam
will host the first phase of these competitions
in six categories at various levels (Pl see
box). The enthusiasm for this is sky high as
in the case of Poppy Saikia of Chiring Sapori
in Dibrugarh. She and other enthusiasts like
her reached out to the Additional District
Commissioner for registration of their wards.
“Our team is called “Tainy”. It means girl in the
Tai language. We are hopeful of advancing to
P2 Musings of a Chief Minister
Published and Printed by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Assam
A monthly newsletter to subscrIbe whAtsApp
Sculpting a legend the P4
Sutar way
One of India’s best known
names has sculpted Lachit
Barphukan in all his glory.
Assam Sanskritik Mahasangram Timeline
1) Gaon Panchayat, Ward, VCDC
and MAC Level
November 10 to November 30, 2023
2) Assembly Constituency Level
December 5 to December 20, 2023
3) District Level
January 2 to January 20, 2024
4) State Level
January 28 to February 6, 2024
5) Grand Finale
February 7, 2024
the State-level. Besides a Bihu dance, we are
practicing a Hajong dance. Our children are
also rehearsing Tai-Ahom and Tiwa dances,”
Poppy told this reporter.
Kashmira Patra is a student of MDK College
in Dibrugarh. She hails from Gorudhoria
Patea village. She has been rehearsing Bishnu
Rabha’s Logon Ukoli Gol daily ever since she
came to know of the Sanskritik Mahasangram.
Sonitpur district is equally buzzing with
music and dance. Enthusiasts in numbers
have registered themselves. One of them being
Kristi Borthakur, a Class IX student of Maharshi
Vidyamandir. “I am looking forward to learning
a lot from the Mahasangram. The idea for me
is not to aim at winning it but to improve my
music skills.” Similarly, Niyorkona Bora, a Class
XI student of Darrang College, who has some
experience of participating at an All Assam-
level competition, said that she is taking part in
all categories of the music section.
Howli in Barpeta district of Assam has been
a cultural centre of lower Assam for decades.
P7 Nipun Axom: Teaching with purpose
“Assam” @ 7636834943
BTR gets project uplift P5
Development and Bodoland
Territorial Region are now
synonymous, thanks to steps
taken by the Government.
Barnali Karmakar (12) here is a student of
the Sapta Sangeet School. She has already
selected her favourite songs which she would
sing during the Mahasangram. “She is very
interested in music. Locals are also impressed
with her talent. An opportunity like this will be
a platform for her to make a mark,” Barnali’s
mother Rita told this newsletter.
On October 10, the logo, portal, symbols,
jingle, kits meant for the adjudicators were
unveiled by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta
Biswa Sarma. He said in his speech that MLAs
have been advised to spend up to 10% of
their MLA funds towards this major cultural
initiative besides Khel Maharan.
This one-of-its-kind cultural initiative is
targeted to touch the lives of 10 lakh participants
wherein the State Government will expend ₹30
crore by organising the various phases of the
competition at 3,000 places. The State-level
competition will be held in Guwahati, while
the grand finale will take place on February 7.
Assam Sanskritik Mahasangram
Categories
1) Jyoti Sangeet
2) Bishnu Rabha Geet
3) Bhupendra Sangeet
4) Rabindra Sangeet
5) Group Dance - Bihu
6) Group Dance - Ethnic Dance
Section
Section A- 12 to 18 years
Section B- 19 to 24 years
Section C- 25 to 35 years
P8 Success as sweet as honey
 T
he best yardstick to measure a State Government’s performance is how much it has
empowered its people. Taking a step further, we can even rephrase the question by stating
how much it has empowered women in the State. Keeping this in mind, our Government
has been initiating proactive steps in empowering our women by bringing in reform measures to
benefit them. Just prior to the Assembly elections in the State, we had promised that women across
Assam, who had unfortunately fallen under a debt trap induced by the Covid-pandemic, would be
given a loan waiver to bring them back into the creditworthiness category of the banking system so
that they resurrect their small businesses as well as their societal prestige. In just over two years,
the people of the State and elsewhere across the country have noticed how we have gone about
implementing this promise of ours. In September, we completed the third phase of the AMFIRS
2021 Act by restoring the creditworthiness status of tens of thousands of our sisters across the State
irrespective of caste and class, religion or otherwise. Again, our Government decided that over 3.69
lakh students of Class IX in Government and provincialised schools will be given a bicycle each to
enable them to go to school regularly, and make their daily routine somewhat comfortable. Based
on historical evidence, and our experiences, we realised how empowering a mode of transportation
can be for a student. Especially in the rural and tea garden areas, we have noticed that because
schools are situated at a distance, the weather plays a major part. Many students, especially girls,
either drop out or fall behind in their studies by missing out on their classes. Next year, we propose
to bring the students of Class VIII under the ambit of this special scheme. This will make them not
only independent but also keep them healthy. Another of our idea of empowering our women folk
is Orunodoi, the scheme under which we directly transfer a specific amount in their account based
on specific criteria. Over 26 lakh women will now be able to avail the advantage of this scheme.
We have anecdotal evidence to prove that this amount, now ₹1250, has been able to improve their
health and take care of the education of their children. These small but significant measures have
helped us bring back smiles on their faces while empowering them with the belief that they have
chosen a people-friendly Government in Assam.
As I toured various parts of the State to offer my obeisance to Maa Durga, I came to know of the
tremendous enthusiasm that Sanskritik Mahasangram has generated across the nook and cranny of
Assam. The composite life of the people of Assam cannot be bereft of its cultural richness. To tap into
the innate potential of our youth and to allow them to relate to their cultural roots, the idea of this
mahasangram was floated. I expect that at least 10 lakh people will be part of this movement. I am
sure talents will emerge from the hinterland of the State despite the most challenging of individual
circumstances. In a similar vein, we have also rolled out Khel Maharan which is a mahasangram to
be played out in the sporting arena. The outstanding performance of athletes from Assam in recent
years will boost massive participation in the disciplines that we have chosen, and, in turn, will keep
our flag flying high across India and around the world. This sporting event will touch the lives of 50
lakh Assamese youths, no mean feat. Sports and culture have a propensity to unite. I am hopeful
that while the spirits will be of a competitive nature, the hearts of all will mingle for the cause of
sports and culture. Our Government will continue to encourage such initiatives, come what may, as
long as the enthusiasm of the people is there.
We have continued our development journey across Assam ever since we formed the
Government in Dispur. In the month of October, I had the privilege of inaugurating several projects
in the Bodoland Territorial Region besides laying the foundation stones of many. All these will make
life easier for people and will prove to be stepping stones for their growth and development as well
as the local economy. Projects are like fishing nets. If you cast them right, you will have a rich haul.
This is what our Government has been trying to do all through. It is important for any Government
to ensure balanced development of all regions. I have always insisted on this approach. It is so much
easier to work in areas where growth is visible, and infrastructure is already in place. But that is not
the role of a Government. I will term this approach lazy governance. Our responsibility is to ensure a
balanced approach and sabka saath, sabka vikas, as has been envisioned by our honourable Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Chief Minister, Assam

2 Asom Barta | November | 2023


State gears up for
sporting action
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
T
o scout for next generation Bhogeswar
Baruas, Telimaren Aos or for that matter
Gilbertson Sangmas and Abhijeet
Bhattacharyas for Assam, and India, the State
Government has launched an ambitious
sporting drive called Khel Maharan. It will
begin on November 1 and continue till
January 10, whereby it will touch the lives of
50 lakh ambitious sportsmen, and as many, if
not more, sports enthusiasts across Assam.
A diverse range of five sporting disciplines,
namely Athletics (100m, 200m, 400m & 800m),
Football, Kabaddi, Volleyball, and Kho-Kho,
will be held throughout the competitions. The
events of the initiative have been categorised
into four age groups, such as Under 19 (Men),
Under 19 (Women), Above 19 (Men), and
Above 19 (Women).
The initiative has found immediate favour
from yesteryears’ great who are unanimous
in their verdict that this will help bring future
greats on to the forefront.
Abhijeet Bhattacharyya, the former
Indian volleyball team skipper, said that the
initiative will act as a platform to spot talents.
“Not only will it generate enthusiasm among
youths towards sports, it will help identify
talents in the notified disciplines,” said
Bhattacharya, who played over 100 matches
for India between 1995-2005, having himself
been spotted by a coach under unusual
circumstances.
“After the Khel Maharan is over, the
Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare
should set up incubation centres for better
training and those selected should be sent to
“After the Khel Maharan is over,
the Directorate of Sports and Youth
Welfare should set up incubation
centres for better training and those
selected should be sent to ‘Centre of
Excellence’ for advance training”
Abhijeet Bhattacharyya
(Former Indian volleyball team skipper )
‘Centre of Excellence’ for advance training,”
Abhijit told Asom Barta.
The competitions will be held in four
stages, which include Gram Panchayat/
Urban Local Body (ULB)/Wards level, Village
Council Development Committee/MAC
level of Bodoland Territorial Region, Karbi
Anglong Autonomous Council, and Dima
Hasao Autonomous Council; Assembly
Constituencies level; district level; and
culminating in the grand State level. The State
level competitions will take place at five to six
venues.
Gobinda Kalita, the general secretary of
Assam Kho Kho Association also appreciated
Asom Barta | November | 2023
ASSAM ON THE MOVE
Highlights
ƒ State level event will be held in
Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar,
Kokrajhar and Diphu.
ƒ Total budget: ₹62 Crore.
ƒ Mascot: Dodan
ƒ Theme Song: Khel Maharan by
Zubeen Garg
the initiative based on his recent experience
of the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship 2023
held at Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial
Region in which ten countries participated.
“The event generated tremendous enthusiasm
among youths of BTR to take up the sport. We
have a star Kho Kho player, Ranjana Sarania,
who is currently in the Indian national
team and is from a village in BTR. There are
hundreds of talents in rural areas. We need to
spot them,” Kalita told this reporter.
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma
on October 6, while unveiling the logo/
mascot, the audio- visual theme song, theme
video, radio jingle, website and mobile app
of the grand sporting event, said that ‘Khel
Maharan’ is part of four similar programmes
of ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (people’s involvement). The
other three programmes are ‘Amrit Briksya
Andolan’, a mega plantation drive which has
concluded already, the ongoing ‘Amrit Kalash
Yatra’ and ‘Sangaskritik Mahasangram’ in the
cultural arena.
Dr Sarma said that the ‘Khel Maharan’
initiative is a testament to the State
Government’s dedication to promoting
sports excellence across Assam. “It envisions
a multi-stage sporting spectacle, spanning
various administrative tiers, to unearth and
foster budding athletes,” he said, adding that
a pool of 1,200 sporting talents is likely to
emerge from the initiative.
Durga Boro, ace football player, hailing
from Kokrajhar district, supported the idea of
grassroots competition like Khel Maharan. “If
you want to spot talent, go to the grassroots,”
he told this newsletter. He said that plans
should be in place to create a sporting
environment and ecosystem in the State.
3
 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

capital in November last year.

SABIR NISHAT, GHAZIABAD
The work on Lachit’s statue which began eight months ago, is
The imposing statue of legendary Ahom General, Lachit Barphukan
expected to be completed in early January next year. It will be installed in
being sculpted at a workshop at Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh has almost
a sprawling area of 50 bighas.
reached Assam in its entirety. Parts of the statue has arrived in Jorhat,
firmly under wraps. Around 100 artisans are at work at the Ram Sutar Fine Arts Workshop
under the watchful eyes of the sculptor giving casting of face and chest
Built at a cost of ₹120 crore, the 125-ft statue weighing 95 tonnes made
cladding of the statue. With meticulous planning and execution, the
of bronze and steel is being sculpted by the renowned sculptor Padma
mammoth statue of the great Ahom General in battle gear with the
Bhushan recipient, Ram Vanji Sutar.
hengdang (a single-edged sword with a long handle) in hand is being
Of the 125 ft, 84 ft is the actual height of the statue with a pedestal erected, block by block supported by iron structures. "First, we make a
measuring 41 ft. That is the staggering scale of the project that seeks to 3-ft model, then an 18-ft model and then a 30-ft model and so on. So, we
memorialise the legendary Ahom warrior in bronze and steel. basically scale up. You can imagine the size of the task," says a craftsman,
Nonagenarian Sutar (now 98) has crafted referring to the magnitude of Barphukan's statue.
some of the most iconic monuments in the "Before taking up any project, like the ongoing
country, the most famous being the Statue of statue of Lachit, we study the person minutely,”
Unity, the world's tallest statue with a height
"Before taking up any project, like
of 182 metres (597 feet), exceeding the Spring the ongoing statue of Lachit, we says Anil Sutar, architect-turned-sculptor, and
son of the veteran sculptor, about the delicate
Temple Buddha by 54 metres. study the person minutely” process of getting to the face through the person.
Sutar, born in 1925 in Gondur, Maharashtra, Anil Sutar (Sculptor) “We look at various photographs of him or her
to a carpenter, went to the Sir J.J. School of Art in from all angles and also study them at different
Mumbai. At a fledgling stage in his career, he was moments of time, in different contexts, so we
commissioned to assist in restoring statues in the Ajanta and Ellora caves. know what face to go with," he quipped.
A patriot to the core, at the heart of each of his creations, the veteran Most of Sutar’s “soft works” (drawings and paintings) are mannered
sculptor is reaching out to the patriot in us. to a predictable script, seldom exceeding that format in imagination. It is
Tucked away in a corner in Noida's industrial sector stands out Sutar's his sculptures that affirm the magnitude of his craft.
studio with tall and humongous statues peeking out. The one thing that Magnitude is important here because Sutar’s oeuvre itself is a play
fails to escape one's notice is that the workshop has several 3 ft statues of on the idea of scale. At that scale, a statue becomes a monument. An
Sardar Vallabhai Patel which constitute Sutar's base models over which artist working to that degree of scale is extremely difficult to showcase
giant statues are designed. in a gallery.
Sutar has come a long way from his first statue of Mahatma Gandhi in The transportation of the giant statue of Lachit is itself an uphill task.
1948 to the world's largest statue (also known as the Statue of Unity) that "The statue will be carefully wrapped up in several boxes measuring 10
of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. ft in length and will be shipped to the final destination where it will be
The Government of Assam went about in its task to erect a giant statue reassembled," Anil told this reporter.
of Lachit Barphukan, who crushed the formidable Mughals in the great Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma took stock of the
Battle of Saraighat in 1671, following suggestion from Prime Minister physical progress of the statue during his visit to Ghaziabad on July 15.
Narendra Modi to build a towering monument on the concluding He appreciated the eminent sculptor for being so passionate about his
function of the 400th birth anniversary of the great warrior in the national work despite his ripe age of 98 years.

4 Asom Barta | November | 2023

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

BTR gets project uplift

AB BUREAU, BAKSA

T
ime has never been so good for the Bodoland Territorial Region
(BTR), comprising five districts, as is now with several development
projects announced by the Government of Assam with active
cooperation from the region’s administration.
In October alone, projects worth ₹537.58 cr spread over the three
districts of the region were launched by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa
Sarma. If one is to interpret the remarks made by the Chief Minister, then
one can safely conclude that this is just the beginning.
Dr. Sarma inaugurated and laid foundation stones and developmental
projects worth ₹465 cr for Chirang district on October11. It included a
419.05-metre railway overbridge at Basugaon town that has been built at a
cost of ₹63 cr and a 152-metre long RCC bridge over the Kuklung River on
the Bijni-Kuklung Road to Kumarsali SSB Camp built at a cost of ₹10.98 cr. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma dedicated an RCC Bridge
A skill training centre, constructed in collaboration with on Barama-Dhamdhama-Tamulpur Road to the people
Larsen and Toubro (L&T) on the Industrial Training
Institute (ITI) premises at Ballamguri in Gossaigaon
subdivision of Kokrajhar district to enhance the across the BTR. Educational infrastructure is getting
skills of youths of the State, is another facet of the better. If the trend persists, I am hopeful that we will
development journey of the region. “Good roads, houses for have very bright days ahead,” the academic told
Asom Barta.
Speaking at its inaugural function, the Chief needy people and other
Minister said that the Government has been welfare measures taken by the Earlier, on October 5, Dr. Sarma laid the
foundation stone for a district sports complex
focussing on skill sets to ensure employment of Government have created a
the youths. He said that the State Government at Mushalpur in Baksa district. Covering an area
conducive atmosphere for overall of 40 bighas of land, and to be built with ₹43 cr,
has taken steps towards creating a new development in BTR”
ecosystem of skills in Assam on a PPP mode. the complex will boast of synthetic athletic track,
multipurpose indoor stadium for badminton,
He laid the foundation stone of the district Netaji Basumatary, executive director
table tennis, volleyball, taekwondo, among others.
sports stadium complex at Kajalgaon worth ₹39 cr. (Action Northeast Trust)
These apart, it will also house an Olympic-size
Under the Asom Mala scheme, Dr. Sarma launched swimming pool.
the improvement and upgradation of the 40.77-km
Chapagudi-Amteka-Bhutan Border Road. It will be Besides, he said that approval for a ₹500-cr road infra
built at an approximate cost of ₹204 cr. Under the Jal Jeevan development in the region will soon be accorded.
Mission, he laid the foundation stones for two “large multi-village Dipak Kumar Basumatary, former president of the All Bodo
schemes”, namely Champamati Multi-Village Rural Water Supply and Students’ Union and a former executive of Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS)
Surang Multi-Village Rural Water Supply Scheme. The projects will cost said that the multi-sports complex will be of great help to identify sports
₹132 cr. talents in the district. “We are hopeful that talents will emerge from our
Dr Ada Ram Basumatary, Principal of Kokrajhar Girls College, district in coming years,” Basumatary told this newsletter.
appreciated development activities taking place in the region. “There has On October 5, the Assam Chief Minister dedicated a new RCC Bridge
been an increasing trend in students’ enrolment in educational institutes on Barama-Dhamdhama-Tamulpur Road at Jartaluk in Tamulpur district,
built at a cost of ₹29.58 cr, to the service of the people. He announced a
50-cr stadium in the district, among other projects.
Dr. Sarma, on the occasion, declared that the 26-km road from
Dhamdhama to Tamulpur will be turned into a double-lane road under
the Asom Mala project. He said that the construction of the ₹600-cr
Tamulpur Medical College and Hospital is in progress.
Netaji Basumatary, executive director of Action Northeast Trust,
an NGO that works for villages of Chirang district, said that people are
enjoying the fruits of development in the rural areas “Good roads, houses
for needy people and other welfare measures taken by the Government
have created a conducive atmosphere for overall development in BTR,”
Basumatary told this reporter.

Asom Barta | November | 2023 5

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

Orunodoi II launched; 26 lakh beneficiaries now

Dhemaji Morigaon Kamrup Tinsukia Cachar Sivasagar

Golaghat Pathacharkuchi Hojai Kokrajhar Udalguri Guwahati

Ministers of the Assam Government taking part in the launching of State’s biggest welfare scheme in various districts of the State
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI Lahkarpara village under Ghagrapar Development Block in Nalbari

P
eara Begum of Maizgaon village along the India-Bangladesh district, wants to use the money to start a small business to supplement
border in Karimganj district of the State is a happy woman today. her income.
Her buoyancy and optimism are reflected in her visage. Why not? “I have been facing many hardships in my day-to-day life. I earn my
She has recently been added to the list of beneficiaries of the expanded daily livelihood by engaging with some tailoring works and horticultural
Orunodoi II scheme. All this while, she was struggling to stay afloat activities. I was overwhelmed when our panchayat official informed me
through her petty business but with additional money coming to her that along with 25 others of our village, I am also in the Orunodoi II
bank account, she feels the tough days are behind her. beneficiary list,” she told this newsletter.
“I was told that Orunodoi money will be credited to my bank account
from the 10th of November this year. So, from that day onwards, I will be
able to significantly contribute to my family’s basic requirements, Peara Key points
told Asom Barta.
She will now be among the 26 lakh women in the State who will be ƒ Orunodoi’ Scheme was launched on December
getting ₹1,250 per month after Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma 2020.
launched the distribution of Orunodoi cards to new beneficiaries at
ƒ Initially ₹830/- was earmarked for every
Kokrajhar on October 11.
beneficiary through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
The Chief Minister said that the scheme has been adopted by the
Later, the amount was enhanced to ₹1000/- and
State Government to assuage the problems of the people emanating
finally to ₹1250/-.
from their poverty. He said that the Government was keen to introduce
more people-centric welfare schemes in Assam. ƒ The day of receiving the amount is fixed on the
In a similar programme in Jorhat on the next day, he said that 10th day of every month.
Orunodoi has proven to be a potent tool of women empowerment.
ƒ Around 17 lakh women have been receiving an
Bulbuli Changmai (40) of Changmai Gaon in Tamuli Bazar under
amount of ₹1,250 each on the 10th of every month
Kheluwa Development Block in Sivasagar district reiterated the
through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method
importance of the scheme while talking to this
under the first phase of this scheme.
reporter.
“There are four of us in my family. My ƒ The Government has been vigilant in selecting
husband is working in a private company. beneficiaries. In every district, the District Level
We fall in the BPL category. For us, financial Monitoring Committee has devised modalities
hardship is a routine occurrence. You can for preparing the list of eligible beneficiaries
imagine how much this amount of ₹1,250 on set guidelines. The preliminary selection of
per month means to me and my family,” said the beneficiaries was done at the level of Gaon
Changmai. Panchayat(GP), Village Council Development
Of the ₹1250 that is credited to the Committee (VCDC) and Urban Local Body (ULB)
beneficiaries account, ₹400 is meant for health- based on eligibility/ineligibility conditions.
related expenditure, ₹200 for purchase of daal,
ƒ All the existing beneficiaries of the Deen Dayal
₹80 for purchase of sugar, ₹150 for essential
Divyangan Pension Yojana and Indira Miri
vegetables and fruits, ₹170 to provide financial
Widow Pension Scheme were subsumed under
relief to overcome Covid-created financial
Orunodoi 2.0. Divyangans and transgenders
constraints while ₹250 is meant towards
were also included under the ‘Orunodoi’ scheme.
meeting expenditure incurred on electricity.
Households having members, who are a dwarf or
The Chief Minister used his speeches to appeal
suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy,
to the people to judiciously utilise the amount.
thalassemia, haemophilia, etc., have also been
Anita Lahkar (30), meanwhile, is looking to
included under Orunodoi scheme.
benefit from the Scheme after biding her time.
“I will withdraw it only after it touches ₹10,000.”
The part-time tailor and horticulturalist from

6 Asom Barta | November | 2023


Nipun Axom: Teaching
with purpose
Activities under Nipun Axom in various schools
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
A
t the Galia Lower Primary School of
Nalbari district, two grandmothers
were nonchalantly crushing betel nuts
as they do at the courtyard of their homes,
and narrating tales of wonder, and morality
to schoolchildren akin to their grandsons and
daughters. The children on the other hand are
amused, eyes wide open, and gasping.
Welcome to a new world of education
courtesy the New Education Policy 2020 of the
Government of India and one of its important
components called Nipun Bharat. It aims to
ensure that every child in the country attains
foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade
3 by 2026-27.
The Assam Government on its part has
launched its own version of Nipun Axom to
improve children’s psychology, ethics, and
morality through activities beyond traditional
classroom teachings. Here, children up to Class
III are taught numeracy and literacy through
various means, including storytelling by the
elderly thereby attempting to arrest the fast-
decreasing bond between the grandparents
and the children.
Nipun Axom focuses on the growth of the
Galia Lower Primary School students with their drawings
ASSAM ON THE MOVE
language spoken at home as well as one’s us implement Nipun Axom. We have involved
mother tongue. guardians to even teach our children. Our village
elders, especially the grandmothers, come here
To make classroom interesting, the State
and tell stories to children. The children listen to
Council of Education Research and Training,
these stories with rapt attention, and then they
Assam and Samagra Sikhsa Abhiyan have
narrate these stories to us. We are trying to bring
coordinated to achieve the desired objectives:
back those good days of yore,” Girindra said.
read with understanding, write with purpose,
and understand numeracy to solve day-to-day State Resource Group Member (Nipun
life situations. Axom) Mizanur Rahman, who is also an
assistant teacher of 2234 No. Gutimara Primary
“The endeavour of Galia Lower Primary
School, said that training sessions have been
School is one of the steps under Nipun
conducted at the district, block and zonal level
Axom. Among the others include home visits
under Nipun Axom which have benefited
by teachers, training and sensitisation of
teachers immensely. These have also been
guardians, celebration of festivals,” Girindra
received very enthusiastically by the school
Kashyap, the State Award winning teacher told
management committees.
Asom Barta.
The same response has been seen at the
“We were imparted training in March
Anandaram Senior Basic School. “Most of our
this year to facilitate an improvement in the
students have Bengali as their mother tongue.
teaching-learning process. Based on that, we
Yet, most of them have solid grounding in
have undertaken various ways of making the
Assamese. This has helped us impart lessons
entire process interesting, including proper
easily. However, if any student has a problem
usage of teaching tools. We also reach out to
in understanding, teachers go out of their way
guardians in the process. A lecture series called
to assist them. We use barnawali cards, word
‘Guest of the Month’, wherein we invite experts,
cards, etc., besides numerical tools to improve
has also been introduced by us,” the teacher told
learning experience,” assistant teacher in the
this newsletter.
school Abdur Rashid Choudhury told this
“Guardians are also contributing to help reporter.
Asom Barta | November | 2023 7
 ASSAM ON THE MOVE
Two Baksa youths with a bee plate at Bishnupur Khamrigaon
AB BUREAU, MUSHALPUR
A
bout 120 km north west of State’s capital
city of Guwahati is Bhutankhuti area
along the Indo-Bhutan border in Baksa
district under the Bodoland Territorial Region
(BTR). For any visitor to the greater area’s
hamlets nestled amid nature’s vegetation what
will be a common sight is that women in almost
every household are engaged in beekeeping.
Thanks to the district administration and the
Agriculture Department, beekeeping has
become a culture here thereby producing
success stories like the local brand “Khamri
Honey''. In 2021, Salt Range Food Pvt Ltd.
exported 50 kg of Baksa honey to Dubai under
the brand name “Mustard Honey''.
Besides the pro-active district
administration, the district is fortuitous that
it is inhabited by various tribes’ who are
traditionally skilled in collecting wild honey
and practise beekeeping at their homes.
The greater Bhutankhuti area has a mixed
population of Gorkha (Nepali), Bodo, Adivasi
and Assamese speaking people. Besides
agriculture, almost every household in the
area is engaged in horticulture.
“At present, the total production of
honey in Baksa district is 46 MT. We
are targeting 100 MT production
by 2026. Three honey processing
units will be made fully functional
in 2023 under Aspirational District
Programme. We are targeting 3,000
families for rearing honey. We
have set our sights on exports to
Europe where we are sensing a huge
potential”
Masanda Magdalin Pertin
(District Commissioner, Baksa)
8 Asom Barta | November | 2023
No wonder, honey is the product which
Baksa district has opted for under the One
District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
Yagni Neopani (55), a resident of
Bhutankhuti’s Santipur area, is a well-known
beekeeper. He spells the reason for why the
efforts are paying dividends. “Beekeeping
and honey production in the traditional
ways are common among people in the area.
Wild honey is harvested from December
to May. In recent years, many individuals,
mostly women, have received training from
Government agencies. Honey produced
in this area is best in the State because it is
organic. Besides, wildflowers in surrounding
hills are the source for bees to produce raw
honey,” said Neopani.
“We are part of the Cerena Honey
Processing and Producer Group. Under it,
we have 72 members. In mid-2020, we were
trained by IIE, Guwahati on different aspects
of beekeeping and honey processing. Our
district agriculture office had provided us with
two bee boxes. We also receive support from
other government agencies on beekeeping
culture from time-to-time,” Berena Tete (56),
president of the Cerena HPP Group told Asom
Barta.
Tete said that each household on an
average earns ₹30,000 annually from this
activity. “I have eight bee boxes. The honey
we produce is organic and commands a good
price. Last year, I earned ₹35,000. Vendors
come to our house to collect the processed
honey in bottles.”
Under the Krishok Vardhan project, which
is meant to enhance the income of small and
marginal farmers through establishment of
value addition facilities, bee keeping is one of
the four sub projects that has the attention of
the district administration and the Agriculture
Department, which is the nodal agency in
implementation of the project.
The project has received accolades
in the form of the Chief Minister’s Award
for Excellence in Public Administration
(Karmashree Award) which was conferred on
District Commissioner Masanda Magdalin
Pertin and group members Banti Talukdar
(ACS) and Dulal Das (District Agriculture
Officer) on August 5.
The District Commissioner has a detailed
plan in place to scale up honey production.
Beekeeping expert imparting training to
Baksa villagers
“At present, the total production of honey in
Baksa district is 46 MT. We are targeting 100 MT
production by 2026. Three honey processing
units will be made fully functional in 2023
under Aspirational District Programme. We
are targeting 3,000 families for rearing honey.
We have set our sights on exports to Europe
where we are sensing a huge potential,” Pertin
told this reporter.
Das attributes the success of the project to
promotional activities. “There have been both
qualitative and quantitative improvement
in bee keeping and honey processing in the
last two years. We have achieved our goal to
provide livelihood to rural women through
beekeeping,” said Das.
Agriculture Development Officer of
Dhamdhama Circle, Dhriti Ranjan Roy, also
credits the Krishok Vardhan project for the
success achieved hitherto.
Narrating another success story, Dipsikha
Goswami, the Agriculture Development
Officer of Subankhata Circle, said that the
Mahamaya Village Organisation, a group of
women coming from far flung border areas
of Indo–Bhutan foothills, without having any
exposure to facilities like communication and
market, is producing 500 kg of honey each year
since 2021 with support from Krishok Vardhan
project.
Bishnupur–Khamrigaon village, about
eight km east of Mushalpur, the district
headquarters of Baksa, has seen a spurt in
beekeeping among villagers in recent years. It
is from here that Khamri has emerged thanks
to the efforts of Khanin Madahi, the CEO of
Baksa Agro Producer Company Limited.
The BAPC CEO said that he wants to make
their village into a centre of honey production
by introducing bee-keeping in every family
and generating livelihood for all.

‘Tea’ cheers for TTRI
AB BUREAU, JORHAT
T
stands as tea for many, and it also stands
for Tocklai for those who know the
history of the beverage in Assam. The
Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI) then
based amid sylvan surroundings on a piece
of land provided by Jorehaut Tea Company
Ltd., and now amid urban infrastructure, is
synonymous with all things related to tea from
the garden to the factory.
Located about five kilometre south of Jorhat
town, TTRI is the world's oldest tea research
institute. Founded in 1911, the institute’s
primary task is to carry out research on all
aspects of tea cultivation and processing with
the principal objective of improving overall
productivity and quality.
It was earlier known as Tocklai
Experimental Station. But after the formation
of Tea Research Association in 1964 with its
centre at Tocklai, it expanded its horizon to
tea research. The Assam Government along
with the tea industry shared the expenditure
for its establishment. In 2014, it got its present
nomenclature.
“Ever since TTRI was instituted, it has been
working for the tea industry on development of
new clones and new varieties. So far, we have
developed more than 200 such varieties. We
have released 34 clones to the tea industry.
These clones are being used for tea cultivation.
Release of the clone is based on research done
by us in multi-location tracks,” said Dr Azariah
Babu, the Director of TTRI, while talking to
Asom Barta.
Training being imparted to
small tea growers
A lab at Tocklai Tea Research Institute
Bidyananda Barkakoty, adviser, North
Eastern Tea Association and former Vice
Chairman of Tea Board of India acknowledges
the fact. “Tocklai's contribution to the
agricultural practices in tea is immense.
Tocklai's R&D has not only benefited Assam
or India's tea industry alone but also benefited
many other tea producing nations,” he told
this newsletter.
Biotechnological research on tea is one of
the prime tasks of TTRI. A clone is a vegetatively
propagated plant from the stem. These new
tea clones are not only good to counter
adverse climatic situations like drought but
also have the potential to yield quality tea.
The popularity of clones gained momentum
in tea cultivation since the standardisation of
vegetative propagation and the release of the
three clones - TV1, TV2 and TV3 by Tocklai in
1949. The first Tocklai clone, TV1, produces an
excellent and consistent quality of CTC tea. It
is the cultivation of this tea clone in the 1950s,
in Assam, that propelled the State to become
the highest CTC tea producing region in the
world.
Dr. Babu said that some of the clones which
are suitable for Assam may not be suitable for
other tea growing areas. “For example, the
climatic condition of Cachar is not similar
with the climatic condition of Dibrugarh or
the tea growing areas of North Assam. So, we
have been releasing region specific clones to
the industry,” Babu schooled this reporter.
One of the major aspects of Tocklai’s
research is on tea cultivation soil and related
issues. “This is a monoculture plantation, a
perennial crop. For better tea production,
Asom Barta | November | 2023
ASSAM ON THE MOVE
“Tocklai's contribution to the
agricultural practices in tea is
immense. Tocklai's R&D has not
only benefited Assam or India's tea
industry alone but also benefited
many other tea producing nations”
Bidyananda Barkakoty
(Adviser, North Eastern Tea Association
and former Vice Chairman of
Tea Board of India)
soil’s quality should be good. In fact, all our
clients have benefited from our guidance.”
Organic tea is yet another field where TTRI
has been conducting long-term experiments.
Through a series of investigations, it has
developed a package of practices for organic
tea in north-eastern States and this package is
now available to the tea gardens.
The Director revealed that in recent
years TTRI has been conducting research on
impact of climatic change in tea production
in the State. It has also come out with
sustainability standards for the industry
called Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). TTRI
promises to contribute towards ‘a people and
planet positive’ tea industry by 2030.
A key area that has emerged as TTRI’s focus
area is small tea growers. These growers have
emerged as major contributors to State’ total
annual tea production. To empower them,
a dedicated training and research centre has
been established at TTRI. Dr. Babu is very
optimistic. “Today, Assam produces over
50 percent of India’s total tea. Out of this, over
50 percent is contributed by small tea gardens.
This number will continue to go up,” he said.
Rajen Bora, president of the All Assam
Small Tea Growers’ Association is all praises
for TTRI’s efforts. “I had the opportunity to
join a training-cum-tea workshop programme
in Tocklai recently. It was a very impressive
programme.
Acknowledging its immense contribution,
the Assam Government recently provided
₹10 crore to TTRI to further tea research for
the benefit of tea, and all its stakeholders.
9
 ASSAM ON THE MOVE
Assam
CABINET
KEY DECISIONS
October 02, 2023
ƒ One post each to be reserved for Moran and Matak communities in
ACS Junior Grade and APS Junior Grade recruitment within OBC
quota for the next five Combined Competitive Examinations
ƒ To facilitate planned development of peri urban greenfield sites,
draft notification to be published for declaration of the area and
intent to prepare Town Planning Scheme (TPS) within Guwahati
Metropolitan Area
ƒ Policy to be framed for reservation of 5% seats in MBBS/BDS
courses in Government Medical and Dental Colleges for students
who studied from Class VII to X in Government Schools under SEBA
and Classes XI and XII in State Government and Provincialised
Schools under AHSEC
ƒ The Assam Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair
Means in Recruitment) Ordinance, 2023 approved to prevent
and curb unfair means at public examinations for recruitment in
Government jobs
ƒ To usher in reforms in urban development, draft notification for
declaration of the area and intent to prepare Local Area Plan (LAP)
within Guwahati Metropolitan Area to be published.
ƒ Some colleges are to be affiliated with stand-alone universities
- Bhattadev University, Rabindranath Tagore University and
Madhabdev University - taking their geographical proximity into
consideration.
ƒ Scooters to be distributed to girls securing 1st Division and boys
securing 75% or more marks in HSSLC Examination 2023 as Dr
Banikanta Kakati Merit Award under Pragyan Bharati Scheme
ƒ Production and use of bottled drinking water PET bottles up to 250
ml volume to be prohibited in the State to reduce plastic waste and
environmental pollution.
ƒ Benefits under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana to be extended to all Safai
Karmacharis working in Urban Local Bodies
ƒ A separate Bajali district to be created co-terminus with Bajali LAC
ƒ Hike in Minimum Wages of Tea Workers
ƒ 3% reservation for candidates from Tea Tribes within the overall
OBC/MOBC category for recruitment in APSC examination in
Grade III and Grade IV
October 9, 2023
ƒ Provision of funds to Sipajhar Municipal Board for initiating projects
under 6th Assam State Finance Commission (ASFC) as well as
under 15th Central Finance Commission (CFC) to ensure holistic
urban growth and initiate development schemes in Sipajhar town.
ƒ Approval to revised draft notification for declaration of an Eco-
Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife.
Sanctuary in Tinsukia for a distance of 1 km around the wildlife
sanctuary as per Supreme Court directive
ƒ Government of Assam to raise loan up to Rs 950.43 crore from
NABARD for projects sanctioned under RIDE-XXIX
ƒ To complete construction of a new office building under
Commissioner of Taxes, additional estimate of 11.91 cr for
additional works approved
10 Asom Barta | November | 2023
ƒ Land measuring 7 bigha, 2 katha, 10 lessa at Halowagaon revenue
village under Kaziranga Mouza of Bokakhat Revenue Circle to be
allotted for construction of Judicial Guest House in Kaziranga
ƒ In-principle approval for new 1000-km road project “High Speed
Economic Corridor” under Asom Mala for an estimated 3,000 cr.
ƒ Cabinet meetings to be convened in following District Headquarters
in November and December 2023, and January 2024
• November - Tinsukia
• December - North Lakhimpur
• January – Nagaon
October 17, 2023
ƒ ₹10,000 each to be given to 6,953 puja pandals as grants-in-aid
ƒ Foundation stones to be laid for 400 new buildings of high and
higher secondary schools. Of these, 100 will be completely new
schools in tea garden areas
ƒ Settlement of land in favour of 123 indigenous, landless families
(105 families of Charaideo and 18 families of Darrang) for
homestead purposes in urban areas under Mission Basundhara 2.0
ƒ Holiday List of 2024 for State Government employees approved
The holidays
• Gazetted: 36 days
• Restricted: 30 days
• Half: 2 days
• DCs allowed to declare any 1 day which may be of local
significance as Local Holiday, except in Kamrup (Metro)
District
• General Administration Department also allowed to declare 2
days as Local Holiday in Kamrup (Metro) District
ƒ To strengthen its financial health, outstanding loan amount of
₹54 cr and outstanding interest of ₹10.92 cr as on 31 March 2023
of Assam Financial Corporation (AFC) to be converted towards
equity capital of the Corporation.
ƒ Opt-In and Opt-Out options for Non Practising Allowance (NPA)
to be provided to doctors under Health Department once every 5
years of service length, w.e.f. 1 January 2024
ƒ Administrative units (Circles, Divisions and Sub-Divisions) of
Irrigation Department (excluding Sixth Schedule Areas) to be
reorganised in line with the delimitation of Legislative Assembly
Constituencies by the Election Commission of India
ƒ Uniform retirement date for Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi
Helpers in mini Anganwadi Centres (AWCs)
ƒ 24-MW Karbi Langpi Middle-II Hydro Power Project to be
implemented at revised project cost of Rs 417.32 cr
ƒ To effectively utilise HPCL’s resources, investment of ₹758.75 cr
made by Government of Assam under Grants-in-Aid towards
acquisition of assets and payment of relief package to be converted
as an equity investment by Government of Assam in AIDC
ƒ A new cadre of Prosecution service to be created by framing an
Assam State Prosecution Service Rules, 2023 to streamline the
system of prosecution and increase conviction rates in the State

Centre’s health infra boost for Assam
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
“W
e must continuously strive
to strengthen our healthcare
systems to ensure their
resilience in the face of a pandemic and
harness their ability to provide affordability
and accessibility of healthcare services in
the innermost areas of the nation.” Union
Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr.
Mansukh Mandaviya said so after laying
the foundation stones and inaugurating
various health infrastructure projects under
Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health
Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM),
National Health Mission (NHM) and the
15th Finance Commission Health Grants on
October 15 at IIT (Guwahati). These schemes
are worth₹121.51 cr.
Under the above schemes, foundation
stone was laid by the Union H&FW Minister
for one Critical Care Block (CCB 50-Bed) at
Lakhimpur Medical College, one Integrated
Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) at
Jakhalabandha SDCH in Nagaon district, five
Block Public Health Units (BPHUs), including
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya interacting with
students of AIIMS Guwahati, IIT(G) &
NIPER
Medical bill reimbursement made easy
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
C
hief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma formally launched the
Mukhya Mantri Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana, an online medical
bill reimbursement scheme for State Government's employees,
pensioners and their dependents.
Medical bills under the scheme shall be reimbursed at rates
NEwS frOM THE STATE
Union Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya at the foundation stones
and health projects inauguration programme at IIT Guwahati
two in Kamrup and one each in West Karbi undertaken in Assam for medical, dental and
Anglong, Cachar and Charaideo districts and nursing colleges. “This ceremony will mark
a Community Health Centre (CHC) each in a crucial milestone in the ongoing efforts of
Dibrugarh and Cachar districts under the the Government towards strengthening our
PM-ABHIM & 15th Finance Commission healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that
Health Grants. quality healthcare reaches every citizen of
Dr Mandavia also inaugurated the up- our nation, even in the most critical times,”
gradation of four sub-district hospitals he said.
at Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Jorhat While delivering his keynote address at
districts and construction of four CHCs at the Amrit Kaal Vimarsh Viksit Bharat @2047,
Barpeta, Hailakandi and Sivasgar districts the Minister highlighted the Government’s
under NHM. commitment and resolve to empower the
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya youth and urged them to leverage existing
said, “We need to make healthcare affordable grants and schemes to innovate in building a
and accessible through holistic development healthier nation.
of robust healthcare infrastructure while He also interacted with students of IIT
prioritising research and development and (Guwahati), AIIMS, Guwahati and NIPER.
initiatives such as Heal in India, Heal by He added that India’s vision of healthcare
India”. Underscoring the need to synergize services extends to opportunities across
and work in unison, the Union Minister the world wherein the skilled health
stated that “healthcare infrastructure should workforce of the nation can easily pursue
consolidate integration at block, district, global opportunities citing the example of
regional levels to monitor surveillance of any medical colleges in Assam teaching Japanese
new variant or disease entering our nation”. language to facilitate placement of Indian
Dr. Mandaviya commended the initiatives medical workforce abroad.
equivalent to that of Central Government Health Schemes (CGHS).
“These bills shall be credited directly towards the accounts of the
claimant within a stipulated time frame. The option of cashless
payment shall also be introduced in phases,” the Chief Minister said
while launching the scheme on October 2.
Speaking at the ceremonial launch held at Srimanta Sankardev
Kalakshetra International Auditorium in Guwahati, Dr. Sarma exuded
confidence that the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana shall
be able to do away with red-tapes and provide relief to Government
employees by simplifying the process of reimbursement of medical
bills.
He said that one can get his or her medical bills reimbursed for
treatment at any hospital of their choice, a departure from the earlier
norm that required one to get treated only at Government-empanelled
hospitals for bills to be successfully processed.
“Paperwork to make medical treatment benefits under the cashless
scheme in as many hospitals as possible is in progress. From April 1,
treatments for Government employees at medical colleges across the
State and AIIMS at Changsari shall be made cashless. From October
2, 2024, treatments under the scheme at leading hospitals across the
country shall also be made cashless,” said Dr Sarma.
The old system of medical reimbursement shall continue to be
operational for those employees unwilling to shift to Mukhya Mantri
Lok Sewak Arogya Yojana, the Chief Minister said.
Asom Barta | November | 2023 11
 NEwS frOM THE STATE
Guwahati gets a
botanical garden
The newly inaugurated botanical garden in Guwahati
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
C
ontining his relentless endeavour to improve public infrastructure scenario in the
State's capital city of Guwahati, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 1
inaugurated a Botanical Garden, built at the area of land that once housed the Guwahati
Central Jail, in Fancy Bazar.
Spanning 36 bighas, including 2.58 acres of water bodies, the botanical garden has been
Shraddhanjali Flyover opens
Assam Chief Minister inaugurating the flyover (right).
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI
R
anjit Das (56) and Robin Dutta (61)
are among the tens of thousands of
residents of Zoo Road in Guwahati who
are set to reap the rewards of a new flyover
in their area making life and travel easier for
them.
“I have lived here for more than two
decades. I can tell you with certainty that the
Zoo Road when I came and the Zoo Road now
when I am speaking to you are poles apart,”
Das told Asom Barta with Dutta seconding
him.
Their elation was a result of the
Shraddhanjali Flyover being dedicated to
the people of the State by Chief Minister Dr.
Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 19. Made in
a record time of 19 months at a cost of ₹316
crore, the flyover is 2.8-km-long.
Built under the SODP Fund 2021-2022 of
the Government, the flyover also extends a
12 Asom Barta | November | 2023
‘‘The route from Chandmari to
Ganeshguri is part of my daily life.
Traffic snarls used to take up a lot
of my travel time. With this flyover,
I think I can now save my time,
besides experiencing the artistic
work depicted on the pillars
of the flyover”
Rajashree Chetia
length of 330 metre towards the Mother Teresa
Road while it stretches 1.98 kilometres on the
main thoroughfare of R G Baruah Road.
There were many others who welcomed
the inauguration of the flyover, although
they are not residents of the area. The likes of
Gitali Choudhury (35), a resident of Rajgarh,
built at a cost of ₹59 crore in which as many
as 85,000 plants belonging to more than
230 indigenous species of flora have been
planted. Also, a dedicated space of around
2.08 acres has been earmarked for medicinal
plants.
Addressing a gathering, Dr. Sarma said
that the Botanical Garden will enhance
Guwahati’s green cover and augment the
mesmerising beauty of the city.
Expressing happiness over the latest
addition to Guwahati’s public infrastructure,
the Chief Minister said it will provide vast
open space for the residents of the city.
Dr. Sarma said rather than being referred
to as a “park”, it has been decided to term
it as a “botanical garden” with the aim of
transforming the same into a repository of
indigenous and rare species of flora of the
region. “Though there is a dedicated walking
zone, play zone for children, among others,
the primary aim has always been to develop
it into a botanical garden,” the Chief Minister
said, adding “It is the responsibility of all
of us to see that the plants planted here are
provided adequate care and support.”
Dr Sarma said that guides shall be
deployed in the park so that the younger
generations visiting the botanical garden are
introduced to the rich flora of the region.
and for that matter Rajashree Chetia (25) of
Chandmari are both in the same league. “The
route from Chandmari to Ganeshguri is part
of my daily life. Traffic snarls used to take up a
lot of my travel time. With this flyover, I think
I can now save my time, besides experiencing
the artistic work depicted on the pillars of the
flyover,” Rajashree told this reporter.
Gitali was more philosophical. “We
did face a lot of problems when the flyover
was being built. But then how can there be
development if we all look at our comfort. It
is our Durga Puja gift from the Chief Minister,”
she told this newsletter.
During his speech, the Assam Chief
Minister outlined a number of new road
projects meant for the city to make Guwahati
a gateway of South East Asia.
 NEwS frOM THE STATE

Powering it through
DRONES to support her vegetable vendor father, “As a
SHG member, it was the first training which I To make India a women-led country, Prime
attended,” she told Asom Barta. Minister Narendra Modi. during his speech
on Independence Day this year, announced a
Priyanka considers herself lucky to be able
new scheme- ‘Lakhpati Didi’ and envisioned
to the training, “It was a great opportunity for
providing drone flying and repairing training
me. In the six days of the workshop, we learnt
for women in SHGs to empower rural women
drone operation, their rules and regulations,
through modern technology.
safety, usage and servicing,” she told this
reporter. The short-term gender specific programme
was conducted by Assam State Rural
“The workshop has boosted my
Livelihood Mission (ASRLM) in association
confidence. I am now keen to learn more
with the district administration.
about these drones and use them for a living.”
Sumit Krishnan, the instructor,
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Rinku Moni
AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI appreciated the willinness of the group to
Begum travelled up to four hours everyday
learn a new technology.

P
riyanka Barman is just 19. Her grit and
determination belie her age. Although
she could not continue her studies
beyond matriculation for lack of resources,
she never tempered her dreams of flying
high. The curiosity in her helped Priyanka
to spot an opportunity when she learnt of a
drone training programme in a polytechnic
in Nalbari.
Hailing from the remote Madhupur
village under Banekuchi subdivision of the
district, she joined Pragati SHG one-and-a-
half years back to become self-reliant and
to be part of the same training. Narrating her
experience, Rinku, a member of Tammana
SHG said, “Six days of the workshop was like
a dream. An ocean of learning. At first, I was a
bit sceptical about joining the course thinking
it would be difficult since I have never ever
seen a drone. I think it was a good decision to
join the workshop.”
She said that they had detailed training on
taking care of agricultural fields using drones.
“The technical knowledge from the workshop
will help us in enhancing the productivity of
the agricultural land,” she told this newsletter.

CM inaugurates water supply project

Assam Chief Minister at the inauguration of the water supply project at Leechubagan

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI The phased commissioning plan for Leechubagan and Ramsahill

C
hief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 15 inaugurated
the commissioning of Leechubagan reservoir with a daily
capacity of 4.5 lakh litre distribution as part of the JICA-Assisted
South Central Guwahati Water Supply Project to provide clean and safe
drinking water to the residents of Guwahati.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that a wide
distribution network spanning 130 km has been established to
facilitate the distribution of water from the reservoir. The Leechubagan
Distribution Zone is expected to provide water to approximately 20,000
households, he said. The first of the three phases of the Leechubagan
Zone will comprise seven District Metering Areas (DMA), which will
supply potable water to 6,500 households.
Dr. Sarma said that after a successful trial run, the Guwahati Water
Supply project was inaugurated for partial commissioning on December
21, 2022. With the Intake plant and Water treatment plant at Kharghuli,
the project has been able to supply water to the residents of 14 DMAs.
Reservoir Zone has been finalised and this will cover 13 DMAs benefitting
10,903 households, he said.
Dr. Sarma said that once the second phase of Leechubagan &
Ramsahill Reservoir Zone is completed, 16 DMAs covering 14,928
households will get potable drinking water. The Chief Minister informed
that the North Guwahati project will be commissioned in February 2024
covering 15 DMAs. The commissioning of Narkasur and Geetanagar
Reservoir in Phase 4 has been fixed for March 2024. Thirty five DMAs will
be covered in Phase 4 commissioning, benefitting 23,442 households.
Sonaighuli Reservoir Zone will be commissioned in Phase 5 covering 23
DMAs and 28,845 households, Dr Sarma added.
Dr. Sarma further said that the South West Guwahati Water Supply
project, once completed, will be able to supply potable drinking water to
55,000 households. He said that Larsen & Toubro Ltd. has been assigned
to complete the project which is expected to be completed in the first
half of 2025.

Asom Barta | November | 2023 13

 ASSAM ON THE MOVE

Durga idol at the Manikpur Durga Bari

AB BUREAU, GUWAHATI community. Their economic condition is challenging. “It is solely due

E
ach year, residents of Gobindapur village in Karimganj district to Maa’s divine blessings that we continue the Durga Puja tradition
eagerly look forward to the four days of Durga Puja which are for initiated by our ancestors,” Namasudra told this newsletter.
them the busiest and most cherished of days. This unique occasion Mohit Chakraborty, the priest, is a happy man. “I have been
allows them to come together and celebrate since the village is located performing the puja here for 15 years. I must say that people do it with
within the fenced area along the Indo-Bangla border. devotion and dedication. Despite challenges like time schedule and
“Being separated from mainland India does not stop communication issues, people here give their best in serving the
us from celebrating our biggest festival. During Durga goddess.”
Puja, people of the village irrespective of caste, creed, In another village, approximately 25 km away from
religion come forward and work hand-in-hand to Gobindapur, the spirit of celebration is equally strong.
make it successful,” Bipul Namasudra, secretary of The most important The lone Durga Mandir of the Manikpur village stands
Gobindapur Sarbajanin Durga Puja committee, told support BSF extends to proudly on the no-man’s land where the 156th year of
Asom Barta. the villagers is by keeping Durga Puja was recently celebrated.
The border village has a total of 44 households the border gates open. On Apu Malakar (48), a resident of Manikpur said, “This
out of which 42 are Hindus while the remaining two normal days, the gates are temple was established by the ancestors of Narendra
are Muslims. open till 7pm. But during Malakar, who happened to be one of my relatives.
Starting from setting up of pandals to their the puja, it extends Till 1970, the puja was held under the leadership of
decoration or even the bhog (ceremonial food) up to 9 pm. Narendra. After his death, the responsibility was handled
distribution, everything is done by the villagers, “Not only by his younger brother, Hriday Ranjan Malakar, who was also
pandals, but the village is decorated with lights during the puja. the last descendant of the family. But after his death in 1994, the
People here do everything with enthusiasm,” Namasudra added. puja came to a halt.”
The Gobindapur village claim that they have been celebrating this Malakar, who is also the president of the Durga Bari Committee, said
puja for over 150 years now. “Every year, thousands of people visit the that due to negligence over the years, the temple was lost to dense green
village to seek blessings from Maa and this year, too, over 3,000 people covers of bushes and trees. “The area where the temple is located is on
visited the pandals. All were served with Khiduchi bhog prasad,” he the border. In the year 2008, it came under fencing and BSF camps were
informed this reporter, adding, “Mangal Aarti (ceremonial prayer) was built. One fine day, we were called by BSF officials who wanted to know
also held every evening.” more about the area. When we told them that there used to be a temple
inside it, they joined us in finding and renovating it,” he informed this
Namasudra is grateful to the Border Security Force (BSF) for its
reporter.
support in organising the puja, “BSF men help us with financial donations,
drinking water facilities, construction and decoration materials, etc.” "The temple was in a state of disrepair. BSF helped the villagers
renovate it. Since then, we have restarted the puja in the temple,"
However, the most important support BSF extends to the villagers is
Malakar recollected.
by keeping the border gates open. On normal days, the gates are open till
7pm. But during the puja, the gates were kept open till 9 pm. “Even if there is a fence, there is no obstacle. Partition did not dampen
our enthusiasm. This year, too, we celebrated the puja,” Malakar said.
Many of the families in Gobindapur village are from the fishing

Photo credit: Pramit Paul

Idols immersion in River Kushiyara. Also seen are people of Jakiganj

People relishing bhog at the puja in Sylhet district of Bangladesh

14 Asom Barta | November | 2023

 THE MONTH iN PHOTOS

A militant of the Dima Hasao Liberation National Army handing

over his arms to Assam Chief Minister during a ceremonial arms
surrender ceremony in Haflong.

Assam Chief Minister inaugurating the new Chief Minister’s

Secretariat in Dispur which will be known as the Lok Sewa Bhawan

Amrit Kalash with soil and rice from 26,098 villages and towns of
Assam at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra

Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma interacting with

students of Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar at the Srimanta Sankardev
Kalakshetra in Guwahati under the Aarohan Scheme

Cabinet ministers Chandra Mohan Patowary and Atul Bora Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Jogen Mohan
enjoying a jeep safari after formally opening the Kaziranga distributing free bicycles to students of Class IX in Dhemaji under
National Park for tourists on October 15 the Chief Minister special scheme

Asom Barta | November | 2023 15

 PErSPEcTiVE

EDITORIAL Pranam to the Act

Ecosystem of Excellence by VB Pyarelal (IAS Retd), Chief Commissioner, PRANAM Commission

T R
he State is now in the throes of ejia Begum, an 87-year-old widow from North Lakhimpur was in great hardship after
cultural and sporting activities her son Eden Ali, a police constable, died in harness. Rejia was entirely dependent
with two big initiatives undertaken on her late son and due to his untimely death and her old age, she was without
by the present Government. any means of income and livelihood. She came to know of the (Assam Employees’ Parent
Sanskritik Mahasangram, wherein Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring) Act , 2017 through word
people of Assam will hum some of mouth and approached the PRANAM Commission for assistance from the compassionate pension of
of the finest compositions of Jyoti her late son, which was being drawn by his wife. The Commission granted Rejia Begum 8% of the monthly
Prasad, Bishnu Rabha, Bhupen compassionate pension of her late son.
Hazarika and Rabindra Nath Tagore Similarly, after the untimely death of her son, who was working as a Junior Assistant at Kar Bhawan
while gyrating with ethnic dancers in Guwahati, Prabha Das was looking at a grim future. She approached her late son’s office for help. The
in the coming months, is aimed at Drawing and Disbursing Officer, through proper process as per the PRANAM Act, granted 12% of the monthly
not only locating talents from the compassionate pension of her late son to Prabha.
rural areas of the State but also to
It is a unique initiative of the Assam Government for ensuring the welfare of the parents and divyang
use culture as a tool to unite and
siblings of the employees of the State Government. This Act is the brainchild of the then Finance Minister and
mend fences. The extravaganza, if
at present the Chief Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. Assam is the first and the only State to have such a
one may say so, will see at least 10
legislation
lakh cultural enthusiasts expressing
themselves at over 3,000 fora, no Salient Features of the Act:
mean feat. The details that have gone 1. All employees working under the State Government, Government Undertakings and State Public
into planning the mahasangram are Sector Undertakings come under the purview of the PRANAM Act.
overwhelming for anyone to note. 2. If any parent or divyang sibling of the Government employee is financially neglected, compensation
Yet, unperturbed, the district and up to 10% (and in exceptional cases up to 15%) can be claimed by them from the monthly salary of the
the State machinery have moved on concerned employee.
in their quest.
3. If a Government employee dies before retirement, the dependent and financially neglected parents
The same is the case with the and divyang siblings can claim compensation up to 10% (and in exceptional cases up to 15%) from the
Khel Maharan. It is being planned Compassionate Pension received by the spouse or legal heir of the deceased employee. However, this is not
across five key disciplines and applicable in the case of Family Pension.
expected to involve more than 50
Procedure for seeking compensation:
lakh sports lovers. The idea here is
noteworthy. To give talents a chance 1. A three-tier structure with time-bound procedure has been put in place by the Government of Assam to
to emerge. India’s recent sporting deliver timely justice to the parents and divyang siblings of the employees.
success and the success of our 2. Aggrieved parents or divyang siblings need to submit their application to the DDO of the concerned
sportspersons at the national and employee. DDO is the designated authority who is empowered to determine the eligibility of the claim. The
international levels are a pointer to DDO is bound to dispose of the application within 90 days.
the fact that Government patronage 3. In case the DDO fails to dispose of the case within the time-limit or if the employee, parent or divyang
will go a long way in producing sibling is aggrieved by the order of the designated authority, an appeal may be preferred to the First Appellate
champions. Authority, the Commissioner & Secretary, GAD, Assam Secretariat, Dispur.
The role of any Government 4. In case, the Commissioner & Secretary, GAD fails to dispose of the case within 60 days or if any of the
is to create an ecosystem for parties concerned is aggrieved by the order, an appeal may be preferred to PRANAM Commission.
excellence. One can also see this 5. PRANAM Commission will dispose of the appeal within 90 days and the decision of the Commission
happening in Assam where the will be final and binding.
present dispensation is leaving
no proverbial stone unturned in 6. If the designated authority or the appropriate authority has, without any reasonable cause, refuses to
ensuring that our talents go a long receive an application or does not dispose of the application within the time-limit, PRANAM Commission
way in making a mark, be it sprinting will impose a penalty of ₹100/- per day on that authority. The maximum limit of such penalty is ₹25,000/-.
to glory or singing and dancing their Quasi-Judicial Proceedings:
way to people’s hearts. What will PRANAM Commission is a quasi-judicial body. All the proceedings by the designated authority, the First
now be keenly watched will be how Appellate and PRANAM Commission are of a quasi-judicial nature. While inquiring into any complaint
the ideas generated in Dispur are PRANAM Commission has the same powers vested in a civil court.
executed at the ground. During my tenure as the first Chief Commissioner of the PRANAM Commission, I have come across cases
that speak volumes of the foresight with which the Act was conceived. In terms of percentage, the number
of cases coming to the Commission, which is the final appellate body, is low. However, ground reports suggest that several such cases are being
disposed of at the appropriate level. What the Commission has done is to reach out to Government departments for awareness campaigns among
the employees , thereby spreading the word. The Commission has also resorted to promotional activities undertaken through the help of the mass
media in Assamese, English and Bengali to create awareness. Plans are afoot to use other languages of the State to ensure that not even one aggrieved
person is left out of the Act’s safety net.
As an insider, what I feel is that due to the simple procedures prescribed in the PRANAM Act and Rules, the Act has been, in a great measure, a
support to the aged parents and divyang siblings of Government employees. This is an Act that can and should be replicated by other States and even
private organisations to provide the elderly parents and divayangs financial support in their difficult times.

Editorial Advisory Board (Honorary)

MEMBERS:
Wasbir Hussain
Anuradha Sarma Pujari
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Gurmail Singh
Manabendra Dev Ray (APS) Bijay Sankar Bora
Director, DIPR, Assam

MEMBER CONVENOR:
Sikha Saikia, Sr. Information Officer

Published and Printed by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Assam