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.
26 Oct 2007 - 7:54am | pbaruah
The Assam government talks to the All Assam Students’ Union leaders on Friday in Dispur before clearing the modalities to update the National Registrar of Citizens (NRC).Speaking to Assam Times...
4 Sep 2012 - 2:53am | editor
In a bid to rein in the wanton voice of anger anf protest, the Assam government has also requested the individuals and organisations in the BTAD not to organise any procession and rallies for next...
16 May 2010 - 11:12pm | swapan
National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) Chief Ranjan Daimary alias D R Nabla has been produced before the court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Kamrup, Robin Phukan in CJM Court, Kamrup...
9 Sep 2015 - 9:48am | Hantigiri Narzary
In a shocking incident that a person killed his own father following family quarrel at Titaguri Bhawanipur under Kokrajhar police station late last night which created a shocking situation among...
The veteran sports journalist of Assam and the founder president of Guwahati Press Club (GPC), Pulin Das will attend the Guest of the Month programme of GPC on December 30. The programme will begin at 1 pm in the GPC auditorium.Prior to it, the nonagenarian personality will be felicitated by the press club. Mr Das has maintained his health and plays lawn tennis regularly. Nava Thakuria, Secy, GPC
Assam Association, Delhi has celebrated Eid Milan on 23rd December at Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan. Eid has been celebrated by the Association since its inception on regular basis. The function was started with the welcome address by the president Gr Cpt (retd) A C Barua. Holy Koran was recited by a young member of the Association. Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, who served as Medical Counsel of Indian Embassy in Holy city of Mecca for many years shared his experience as a ‘Haji’ and as an spectator of this annual ritual, where millions from all over the world congregate to visit the holiest of holy places of Islam. Mr. Tassaduque Hussain, a ‘haji’ himself spoke about the...
Finally Assam gets to flaunt its very own Open University. The very first open university of the state – Krishna Kanta Handique Open University (KKHOU) which was set up last year opened its doors for students recently as it started its academic activities with a Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme (BPP).KKHOU is an answer to the prayers of those student’s who have been unable to continue with their studies owing to various reasons. Though Assam has been flooded by other Universities providing rather claiming to provide distance learning courses but these universities are of questionable repute as they are plagued by recognition issues. Moreover, the exams are not held...
The people of Nagaland have witnessed the humble beginning of the Hornbill Festival in 2001 in Kohima Local ground, the venue of which has been changed to Kisama now. The festival has been named after the Hornbill a bird (Dhanesh Chiriya) which is abundantly referred to in Naga customs and traditions. But this bird which signifies the Naga identity is almost extinct due to mindless killing and lack of thick forest -- their breeding place. The Naga cultural troupes today use paper feathers and wooden Hornbill in cultural festivals since there is no living Hornbill easily traceable in Nagaland. If a Hornbill sanctuary is developed in the outskirts of Kisama along with all other colorful...
Oil India Limited dethroned defending champion Assam State Electricity Board in the Assam Club Championship at Bokakhat on 23rd DEC with a 4-1 victory in a rematch of last year's final. Looking to avenge the defeat at the hands of the ASEB in the previous final, the OIL team played smart football and dominated the game throughout.The OIL think tank chose the 1-4-5-1 formation to the ASEB's 1-4-4-2 pattern and it proved to be a winning strategy. OIL took the lead with captain Birjab Mushahary's winger off a corner as early as in the sixth minute. Durga Boro scored the second goal three minutes later. After missing several scoring opportunities, ASEB bounced back in the 39th...
Santipur police, in Karbi Anglong, recovered the bodies of two youth — one Prasanta Nath of Naharjan Nathgaon, Bokakhat and another unidentified — from the Upper Rangsali Hansegaon. Police also recovered one AK-47 rifle cartridge and 15 rifle cartridges from the spot. KOUSHIK HAZARIKA
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Election Commission of India (ECI) which allowed the inclusion of Chakma and Hajong refugees' names in the electoral roll.After a tour by AAPSU delegation in the Chakma-Hajong inhabited Assembly constituencies at Doimukh, Chowkham, Bordumsa-Diyum and Miaoto area they have found out this crucial information. The PIL was filed with the Itanagar bench of Gauhati High Court. In a statement issued by the organisation they alleged that a few leaders in those area were playing with the fundamental rights of the indigenous population.
The movement for Gorkhaland is gaining momentum not only in the hills but also among the Indian Nepali masses from all over the residing in Delhi who protested against the sixth schedule and for a separate state for the gorkhas comprising Darjeeling and dooars.The newly formed Gorkha Janmukti morcha (GJMM) with its firebrand leader, president of GJMM - Mr Bimal Gurung is spearheading the gorkhaland cause. According to senior leader, general secretary of GJMM Mr Roshan Giri creation of state is the only solution and not sixth schedule and it would fulfill the long standing demand of not only Darjilingites but also the rest of Indian gorkhas. The hills opposition parties, GJMM, ABGL, CPRM,...
An MP from Bihar has reached the Supreme Court seeking probe into the alleged link of Assam’s health minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma with ULFA.In a PIL, the minister named Sukhdeo Paswan further alleges Dr Sarma’s involvement in the ULFA’s attack on the Biharis.He alleged that several criminal cases with a TADA case was pending against him which is why is using his political influence get ride of the laws.Another serious charge against Mr Sarma, according to Mr Paswan, is an extortion case of over Rs 90 lakh on behalf of ULFA. He said this is why he was allegedly booked under the TADA on January 12, 1991 at the Pan Bazar Police Station.Filed by counsel C D Singh on behalf...
Muslim people celebrated Eid-ul-zuha across the north eastern region on Friday with much religious favour and solemnity. Reports of huge congregations for community namaj are pouring in from different parts of the region. This follows the officering of sacrifice of animals. Known as the feast of the sacrifice in Islam, Eid Ul Zuha is celebrated on the tenth day of Zul-Hijja, which is the last month of the lunar Islamic calendar, and also marks the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage. The festival of sacrifice, also known as the Greater Eid, is the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar after Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan. Muslims in large...
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