My mind towards Assamese Literature was literally like an Axanto Electron. (The electron is a subatomic particle carrying a negative electric charge. It has no known components or substructure. Therefore, the electron is generally thought to be an elementary particle.) Coming from an English medium school I hadn’t read anything Assamese apart from my course work all my life. SKC is responsible for turning it around. Quite late in life, I asked my friend Aporaj to suggest me an Assamese book to read. Prompt came the answer. Suran Medhi’s work. I was like... Who? And why would you suggest reading his books.
Now Aporaj being a calm and composed poet friend as well as an avid reader not to mention, a huge fan of SKC gave me a “prolonged summary” of his work and narrated some of SKC’s book scenes to me. I decided to give it a go. The first story I read was Gulam. My mum, my biggest critique and rock in life after Deuta, saw me reading SKC’s book. A sarcastic smile followed by her saying... Make sure you finish the book. Reading a signboard and completing a book are two different things. Yes it was hard in the beginning and it took me twice the time to read a page in Assamese but then... language is practice. The more you speak and read, the easier it becomes. Maa is also an avid reader of Assamese Literature and I often felt left out when she discussed about her books with her friends. I am still learning and enjoying the richness Assamese Literature has to offer.
I was hooked on SKC. I smuggled Aporaj to Panbazar and instructed him to get me the best SKC’s books and I dutifully carried them back home to London. Manoj Goswami once told me that he requested SKC to write a New Year peice for his then Axomia newspaper. SKC was reluctant and later Eta Bhaal Khobor was on the papers on one new year’s day. Altaf Da made a short film out of it , When I watched it, I was gobsmacked to see the impact, the subtleness and the beauty of narrating a story. A very well made film . I liked the angel Altafda chose for the film. I also liked the fact that SKC was subtle and was thrilled that he used a pseudo name. I write my blogs as Rukmini Boigari. Why? Well why not? It isn’t necessary for people to know you as long as they read what you wrote. A journalist once asked my=e why I chose the name. Rukmini gave from North East and I came from the same part of the world and Boiragi is a surname is secretly loved to have. It sounds like a song. Beautiful. In real life I cannot us it for that became my pseudo name. The fact that SKC writes under different name gave me a kick. Not that I am comparing him with me for that will be preposterous.
Every Time I visit Guwhaati, I am tempted to ask Altaf Da to introduce me to SKC but I shy off the idea and tell myself- Bublee Toi Jugyo Nohoi. You are not worth enough to meet such a persona. But deep in my mind I connected with him and had immense respect for his work. His passing away news came hit me like a bolt out of the blue through his Facebook SKC Fan Group. I was not prepared as I was not aware that he was ailing.
25th June is a very special and private day for me for its that day when my idol and The biggest inspiration in my life, Deuta passed away... four years ago. It is spooky that SKC passed away on the very day day. I felt as though somewhere in ether he connected with me and gave me his blessings which I couldn’t get in flesh and blood. People like him should not be mourned for he will live forever. Eti Londonor Duporiyat,bagisat rod loi moi Apunak shrodhanjali jonalu. Ehaat dobar khelor dore, hothaht apunar dehatu hera kintu apuniye hol Asomor Baputi Sahun.
ULFA has received yet another setback while it was preparing to strike on the Independence Day in the form of blast. Dreaded terrorist with B company of its 28th battalion Ankur Shyam has joined the breakaway group which are residing in Sadiya designated camp after announcing unilateral ceasefire with the government.According to information, the hardcore terrorist who was responsible for many fatal strike in several upper Assam districts reached the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and talked to Mrinal Hazarika and he was received by these group accordingly.
The drive against the illegal Bangladeshi migrants has received more support but is bound to brew more trouble across the state. The main Opposition party of Assam Asom Gana Parishad on Tuesday formally kicked off its drive against these immigrants in Dibrugarh participated by thousands of people.Thousands of people took out a huge procession in Dibrugarh town organized by Dibrugarh AGP body The people the procession later sent a memorandum to the President of India through the Deputy Commissioner demanding immediate steps to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshi migrants from the state. They said they will continue their agitation till these people are not deported. Participating in the...
Altogether four rebels were killed in two encounters in lower Assam on late Tuesday night. According to information, two hardcore ULFA rebels were killed at encounter at Sanyash pahar area in Bongaigaon district on late Tuesday night. Acting on some specific inputs, Army's 21st Jatt Regiment jawans and Bongaigaon police launched a joint operation in the area and found out the hiding rebels. Both the rebels were killed on the spot. The bodies have yet to be identified. Police later recovered two grenades and a pistol from the spot.In yet another incident, two unidentified terrorists were killed during an operation by Army’s Red Horn Division at Sotemari area in Nalbari district on...
Activists of Asomiya Yuva Mancha, Kamrup District Committee took out a unique "Rickshaw Riding Abhiyan” to build work culture to deport the illegal Bangladeshis in the streets of Guwahati on 12-8-08. PHOTO: UB PHOTOS
Security personnel participating in the full rehearsal of Independence Day celebration 2008 held at Latashil Parade Ground in Guwahati on 12-8-08. PHOTO: UB PHOTOS.
The Assam Minority Students’ Union (AMSU) is holding Assam bandh on August 12. Their allegation is that genuine Indian Muslims are being harassed in the name of detection of illegal Bangladeshis..In Gossaigaon, 50 AMSU picketers arrested in this connection. Details awaited.
For PCG member Hiranya Saikia it’s a respite. The peace broker is being released from judicial custody on Tuesday as the Gauhati High Court on Monday has granted bail fifty days after he was arrested for ULFA link.Mr Saikia was booked on June 21 on the basis of statements before police by ULFA’s 28th battalion cadre from Lakhimpur Dulen Saikia alias Ashim Gowala. In his statement before police, the ULFA cadre said he was on the way to meet PCG member Saikia acting on the instructions of central leadership. Saikia’s arrest a day before the unilateral ceasefire of A and C companies of ULFA’s 28th battalion was significant.He was produced before the court on June 25 and...
As many as 22 students bodies and youth organisations have set a 72 hour ultimatum to the illegal Bangladeshi people in Tinsikia to quit the district. Talking to Assam Times over telephone from Tinsukia, the leaders of these organizations said if these people in question fail to follow the instruction they will face the music. The groups include the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad, Bengali Yuva Chatra Parishad, and Bhojpuri Students’ Union, Tinsukia district units of AASU, AJYCP, All Assam Muttock Yuva Chatra Sanmilan, All Moran Students’ Union, ATTSA, TMPK.They said the deadline hour begins on Tuesday morning. The organization leaders decided to issue the ultimatum at a meeting on...
Illegal Bangladeshis have been seen evacuated by the All Assam Student Union, Dibrugarh Unit in an eviction drive at Paltan Bazar, Chanmari Ghat in Dibrugarh on 11-08-08. PHOTO: UB PHOTOS.
Suspected ULFA militants have hurled a hand grenade at the superintendent of police's office in Bongaigaon district on Monday. No casualty has been reported in the blast. The militants lobbed the grenade from the market side behind the office in the district headquarters of Bongaigaon town around 5.30 am when the office was closed. The grenade exploded in the office verandah. But the blast shattered the glass panes but there was no other damage to the building.Meanwhile, ULFA and three other insurgent outfits in the North-East jointly called for boycott of the Independence Day celebrations and a "general strike" on August 15 from 1 am to 6 pm throughout the north eastern region. A...
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