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.
Activists of All Asom Shikshak Karmachari Aikya Mancha staged a dharna regarding their demands of the provincialisation of non-provincialised educational institutions and other issues at Dispur Last Gate in Guwahati on 14-07-08 at the inaugural day of the 5-day-long Summer Session of Assam Assembly. Pix by UB Photos
Golaghat correspondent of a Guwahati based vernacular daily allegedly tried to treat a female employee of a printing press at Golaghat with mischievous gesture. According to the owner of the press, the said correspondent with a bad intension came to the press during the lunch hour as he figured it that during that time the owner and the staff used to go out except the girl who is a computer operator there. One must salute the courage of the girl who strongly resisted the evil motivated correspondent and crying loudly made the alleged culprit to flee.In this connection the owner of the press lodged a complaint with the Golaghat Journalists’ Association. The Association in its emergent...
Childrens enjoying the water bath to cool themselves during a scorching hot Sunday afternoon at the water amusement park Accoland on 13-07-08. Pix by UB Photos
Local women sit in protest at New Lambulane on 13-07-08 in connection with the extra judicial killing of Thangtinsei Kipgen and Limlenber Thangshing by the Police Commandos on Friday evening at Sanjenbam, Imphal East. Pix by UB Photos.
Ace Quiz Master Barry O' Brian asking questions to the Quiz participants in the NEDFi Brain Jam Open Quiz 2008 Competition held at ITA Machkhowa in Guwahati on 13-07-08 evening. Pix by UB Photos.
Mahadev Deka Runner Up of Mr Universe being felicitated with a traditional sorai by senior citezen Jyotish Das. The event was orgainsed by Santipur Athletic Club at Santipur, Guwahati on Sunday 13th July 2008.PIX BY UB PHOTOS
Bangladesh Rifles handed over three members of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and one smuggler to Border Security Force at Dalu in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on 12-07-08. Later the persons are being handed to the Assam Police by the BSF Personnels.Remarkably, BSF sources said this is the first time the BDR has taken such step and that the neighbouring country had been earlier denying the presence of Indian insurgents in its territory.Pix by UB Photos.
Lakhimpur District Students Union (AASU) taking out rally “Sangram Dhuwani” on issue of expelling of illegal migrants of Bangladesh from Assam State at Lakhimpur on 12th July 2008. Photos: UB Photos.
Amid water tight security arrangement, the Assam Assembly is ready to begin its summer session from Monday. The city police administration has already intensified checking in the city areas and also in its entrance and exit routes.According to information, more than two thousand additional security personnels will be deployed to man the city areas during this brief session. City police have made some changes in the routes of traffic movements from Monday. According to the traffic section of the City superintendent of police, movement of all types of vehicular traffic on the road from Supermarket point to Dispur Last gate will remain close. Vehicles coming from Basistha Chariali towards...
Critical to the progress towards prosperity in NER is its liberation from economic imprisonment. This would require a qualitative change in the relationship of the country with the neighbouring countries contiguous to NER. There are considerable gains to be had by improving relations. In the case of Bangladesh, for example, there could be significant gains from transit fees and access to the markets in NER. This could contribute significantly to the reduction in Bangladesh’s trade deficit with India. Given that economic interests of NER are affected by the nature of relationship with these countries, it is important that the Foreign, Defence and Home Ministries have a consultation...
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