The State’s language law points to a homogenised nationalism overtaking minority linguistic and cultural aspirations The Assam government recently decided to promulgate a law to make the Assamese language compulsory in all schools, both public and private, including the Kendriya Vidyalayas, from Classes I to X. The State Governor has already given a formal assent to…
Tag: Misings
Much of Assam’s flood management approach is focused on building embankments which are often argued to have facilitated a process of ‘contractor raj’. A fair amount of literature and evidence over the years has highlighted that embankments often do not serve many purposes as they are often breached, either due to higher intensity of floods…
On first look, it feels as if nothing much has changed. The roads are still the same, half coarse, half muddy. The river is still the same. The water hyacinths are still there and are blooming to its glory. The bridge leading to my village is still broken. The school building still has no windows….
On the morning of 19th July, about 700 villagers of Laika and Dodhia villages of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park of Assam entered Tarani reserve forest, armed with bamboo, tarpaulin, axe and bags with the intent of settling there. Those who entered the Tarani Reserve were primarily of the Mising community who were displaced by perennial floods…
There is a saying amongst us in Dhemaji. We say, ‘If you want to see floods, come here! if you have never come here then you’ve not seen floods at all..!!!”. Every word of the saying stands true in Dhemaji-perhaps the most flood affected district in India. It would not be an exaggeration to say, the…
Yes, you heard it right..!!! It is strange. It is stranger when it is a cross cultural wedding…!!! It generates opinions, comments and advises from many; most of which sometimes might be unwanted. People, who were never bothered about you, suddenly, become your biggest ‘sympathizers’ and start advising you on why you should/should not take…
Foreword: Recently, a very good friend and a senior, sent me a digitized version of the Book. ‘TOPOGRAPHY OF ASSAM’ by John M’Cosh. The Book written as early as 1837, under the instruction of the then government talks extensively about the togography, society, demography and the culture of the then Assam. The book rightfully digitized…
A few years ago, on the occurrence of late flooding, one of my distant relative had opined, ‘this year, the flood is late, we are bored now….”. While both of us had a laugh about it, it made me wonder, was the statement just made in pure zest or is it just that they have…
In the recently concluded Panchayat elections in Jonai constituency in Assam, the allied force of Gana Shakti has come out as a force to be reckoned with, by being able to win a large number of seats. The Jonai constituency comes under the North Lakhimpur Lok Sabha Constituency. Incidentally, Jonai constituency has an ex-AGP converted…
It was a rainy afternoon in Silapathar. A group of about 25-30 Mising young boys and girls had gathered in the Kristi Kendra, (Cultural Centre) in Silapathar. While it rained outside, they continued to dance and practice. An eminent singer and dancer of the Mising community carefully watched over their every move, guiding them wherever…