Guwahati: The Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS) is disturbed and dismayed by the Supreme Court of India's decision to allow for the detention of civil rights activist Gautam Navalakha and Anand Teltumbe after August 14,2020. Both had been implicated in Bhima Korgoan case of 2018, where many Dalit activists were hurt in rioting by mobs supported by powerful local politicians. The subseauent arrests of civil right activists testimony to the dubious processes that were followed in order to implicate persons fighting for social justice in the Indian sub-continent.
In a press release, issued by MASS demands immediate release of the two rights activists.
Both Navalakha and Teltumbe have assisted the fight for human rights for the people of northeast India, including Assam. They have consistently opposed state violence and are part of the campaign against the draconian laws like Armed forces (special powers) Act,1958. They have been exemplary figures of commitment and determination in the fight against social injustice of oppressed peoples as well as the issue autonomy for indigenous communities across the region. The charges against them are examples of government's high handedness. It is no co incidence that they have been charge under provision of the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act that is increasingly being used to silence dissenting India.
At a time when the government has to take stock of a pandemic of fearsome proportions and find ways to deal with the economic focus each aftermath, it saddens us to see them pursue a frivolous, vindictive agenda in state. The unjust and unwarranted arrest of Akhil Gogoi and other activists of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) in Assam are further evidence of the kind of dangerous expansion of authoritarianism in the subcontinent. If there is one thing that public health messaging on COVID-19 has managed, is to tell us that older people with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable that count alone, Gautam Navalakha and Anand Teltumbe have to remain in their homes until the legal processes finds its logical end.
"We therefore join other democratic voices in demanding that the order to arrest the two eminent civil rights activist be rescinded at this time .we are confident that due legal process will show that the cases against them are absurd and part of a political vendetta that serves to curb", the release added.
KOKRAJHAR, OCT 28: A significant awareness program was organized on Monday at Jalah Girls’ High School in Baksa district, focusing on child protection mechanisms, human trafficking, and the safety and empowerment of women and children.
The initiative was a joint effort by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and the ICDS project, Jalah, under the Women and Child Development (WCD) department.
Dr. Lipika Barman, the District Child Protection Officer of Baksa (in-charge), presided over the event. Kalpana Das, CDPO of the ICDS Project, Jalah, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the...
Guwahati: The 8th Chalachitram National Film Festival – 2024 concluded at Jyoti Chitraban in Kahilipara, Guwahati, on October 27, celebrating diverse cinematic works. Jaswandha, directed by Shoneel Yallattikar, won the Best Film in the rest of India category, while A Sylvan Saga by Jyoti Prasad Das was awarded the Best Film in Northeast India. Das also took home the Best Director award, and Abhijit Nayak received the Best Screenplay award for Wrong Number, directed by Bijit Borgohain.
Awards for Best Cinematography went to Angsuman Barua & Pradip Ch Sarma for Aadi Shakti Maa Kamakhya and Chida Bora & Saril Nandan Deka for Teens of 1942 (directed by Samiran Deka). The Best Editing...
Guwahati, 25 October 2024 – Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Guwahati Off-Campus celebrated its 11th Convocation for the graduating class of 2024 at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre Auditorium, Guwahati. Distinguished guests included Chief Guest Prof. Gauri Dutt Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), TISS Chancellor Prof. D.P. Singh, and other dignitaries who gathered to commemorate the achievements of the graduates.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp, accompanied by Saraswati Vandana. In his welcome address, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Shankar Das congratulated the 165 graduates—five Ph.D. scholars, 112 postgraduates, and...
Guwahati: The annual Chalachitram National Film Festival will begin on Saturday in Guwahati, Assam. This year's festival, themed "Our Heritage, Our Pride," will showcase 50 documentary and short feature films.
The two-day event, organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra Assam, aims to foster nationalism through film and pay tribute to India's rich heritage. The festival will be inaugurated at Jyoti Chitraban premises in Kahilipara on October 26.
A variety of films from across India will be screened, covering topics such as land and people, tourism, arts, handicrafts, and social issues. The inaugural film will be "The Last Generation," directed by Prabal...
The prestigious Golok Samman for 2023 has been announced, honoring four distinguished young individuals for their exceptional contributions in the fields of art, translation, research, and environmental activism. The award, instituted by the UD Foundation in memory of the noted translator and social worker Golok Chandra Datta, celebrates those who have made significant cultural and social impacts in Assam.
This year’s recipients are Dr. Sanjeev Bora, a renowned artist; Avantika Parashar, a noted translator; Rajesh Dattabaruah, an environmental activist; and Dr. Baburam Saikia, a Sattriya dancer and researcher.
Recognizing Talent in Art and Visual Media
Dr. Sanjeev Bora has been...
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Guwahati, September 18: Aaranyak, in partnership with the Namdapha Tiger Reserve Authority and supported by the Arcus Foundation, has initiated a groundbreaking Hoolock gibbon conservation education program in the fringe areas of Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
This initiative, which commenced on August 22, is the first of its kind in the state and aims to create a community of young conservationists who can actively contribute to the protection of this endangered primate. The program has reached 17 schools in the Miao subdivision, covering students from upper primary to higher secondary levels.
The sessions, conducted by the Primate Research and...
Diets rich in ultra-processed foods have long been associated with a myriad of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and even premature death. However, the vast category of ultra-processed foods encompasses a wide range of products, from seemingly benign options like whole-grain bread and plant-based milk to more obvious culprits like hot dogs and sugary sodas.
A recent groundbreaking study led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has shed new light on the specific types of ultra-processed foods that pose the greatest risk to heart health. This comprehensive study, published in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas, analyzed data...
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros and diverse ecosystems, is at a critical crossroads. Known for its rich biodiversity and the harmonious coexistence of local communities with nature, Kaziranga's landscape and social fabric are under threat. The Assam government's push to boost tourism by transferring land adjacent to the park to private hospitality industries has sparked significant controversy, raising concerns over the rights of indigenous communities and the ecological future of the region.
The Push for Luxury Tourism
Today marks a significant step in the Assam government's tourism agenda, with the signing of another...
The mid-20th century in America was a time when smoking was as normal and ubiquitous as eating. Picture this: in 1956, the average American smoked about 4,000 cigarettes a year. That’s a half-pack a day, for everyone—men, women, and even some children were all puffing away, encouraged by a relentless media, celebrities, and even health professionals. Fast forward to 2019, and while smoking rates have plummeted, a new health crisis has taken its place—our diet.
Today, the leading cause of death and disability in the United States is not smoking; it's what we eat. The Global Burden of Disease Study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, identifies poor diet as the #1 cause of...
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