A S S A M: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pothorughat in Darrang district of Assam (India).This is the place where 140 peasant freedom fighters were shot dead by British military on January 28 in 1894.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Army salutes peasant martyrs of Pothorughat

“Gone, but not forgotten, never shall thy memory fade. Oh, Martyrs, we salute you”, these are the words inscribed in the memorial tomb constructed in memory of the 140 peasant martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the hands of tyrant British rulers on January 28 of 1894 at the historic peasants uprising at a small village of Pothorughat, 16 km to the west from Mangaldai in Darrang district. J R Berington, officiating commandant of the military police, who ordered the firing against hundreds at Pothorughat when they protested against the British government policy of imposing exorbitant taxes.But Pothorughat residents' aspiration for giving national recognition to this event like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, is yet to be fulfilled. Although the Pothorughat massacre occurred long before the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, it was only since 2000, the army has been paying homage to the martyrs on January 29 every year .The supreme sacrifice offered by 140 common peasants belonging to both the Hindu and Muslim community leaving aside their religion at the cruel hands of the British rulers while raising a protest that too in a non violent way is a benchmark of the history of freedom struggle of our motherland and this glorious chapter of the history of freedom struggle of our motherland should get due recognition in the national level.
This year also under the stewardship of Commander of 21 Mountain (Artillery) Brigade Brigadier VK Tiwari, 2 Field Regiment operating in Darrang district organized a sanguine ceremony to pay homage to the martyrs with full military honour on January 29. The decorated memorial witnessed a massive out pour of humanity where people cutting across all divisions assembled in silent reverence. GOC Red Horns Division, Major General Ravi Nair, while attending this pious and sacred function as the chief guest today offered floral wreath on the memorial tomb. In his speech he highlighted the importance and significance of this historic event in our lives and urged one and all to work towards the greater prosperity and progress of Assam. Significantly, later on being asked about inviting the Chief of the Staff of Indian Army next year to give it a national recognition, Maj Gen Nair talking to the mediapersons said that he would take up the matter with his senior officials to arrange for the visit of the General in near future. Maj Gen Ravi Nair in his first public function since taking over the command of Red Horns Division also got the inauguration of the Children Park constructed by the Red Horns division under Operation Sadbhavana done by a village child today.

Prominent personalities like Commander of 21 Mountain (Artillery) Brigade Brig VK Tiwari; Commanding Officer of 2 Field Regiment Col Sandip Chhikara; Commanding Officer of 315 Field Regiment Col Sunil Upadhyay; , Additional Deputy Commissioner,Udalguri Kulen Talukdar, Darrang Superintendent of Police Vivek Raj Singh, senior citizens and mediapersons attended the function and offered floral wreath on the occasion.

On this auspicious moment, the Indian Army deeply recalled veteran freedom fighter late Pani Ram Das who was always the guest of honour in the homage paying ceremony organized in the previous years since 2001. The glittering function was witnessed by a large gathering of 3,000 people from Darrang district. The efforts of the Red Horns Division to keep this yearly tradition alive with such pomp and show have been appreciated by the general public.

It needs mention that the troops of Red Horns Division at the initiative of the then Governor of Assam Lieutenant General (Retired) SK Sinha, came forward with the novel idea of construction of the memorial tomb in the year 2001. Since then the ‘Men in Olive Green’ of Red Horns Division has been celebrating the day in a befitting manner spreading the message and the meaning of the hard earned freedom. Moreover,a history of Patharughat was also authored by noted writer Arup Kumar Dutta (was released in 2010 ) with the initiative of then Darrang district deputy commissioner Dhruba Hazarika.

-Jayanta Kumar Das

Saturday, January 28, 2012

This is squirrel (picture taken today itself).There r plenty of them in my fruit garden eating up and destroying all my coconuts,nuts,plums and so many others.I just helplessly watch,as love them

A green pigeon eating my fruits today in my fruit garden at Kalaigaon

This is a pair of Crested Mynah .There r plenty of them in my fruit garden at Kalaigaon

Friday, January 27, 2012

India's Republic Day celebrated in Bhergaon Sub-division

At Kalaigaon :The 63rd Republic Day has been celebrated at various places in Bhergaon Subdivision with gaiety. At Kalaigaon,Dina Moni Das,Circle Officer,Kalaigaon Revenue Circle hoisted the national flag at Gandhi Bakori field, Kalaigaon in presence of thousands of people. The Circle Officer felicitated five distinguished people for their remarkable service to society in various fields. Cultural events were also arranged on the occasion for boys and girls. A friendly volley ball match was played in the afternoon. At Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Kalaigaon campus,Madhab Sarma, Principal, JNV, Kalaigaon hoisted the tricolour.

At Bhergaon :At sub-divisional HQ Bhergaon,Pranjal Das, SDO, Civil, Bhergaon hoisted the tricolour at Bhergaon High School playground in presence of nearly five thousand people before inspecting a guard of honour. Ten contingents of students,police,NCC,ABSU,ARSU etc took part in the march paste event. Speaking on the occasion Das paid tribute to thousands of known and unknown martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of Motherland. He specially mentioned a few social evils namely -witch hunting,blind belief and superstitions etc and requested all to join hands against such social evils. He also appealed people to enjoy own rights without disturbing others. Awards were given to a few people for their outstanding performance in various fields. Spectacular cultural and sports events were also arranged to much delight of people mostly woman and children. Bonjar Daimari, Deputy Speaker,BTC; Rati Ram Boro and Jagadish Sarkar both MCLA,BTC and a few other distinguished people attended the ceremony.

At Tangla : At commercial town Tangla,Pabitra Kumar Das,BDO,Kalaigaon Block hoisted the national flag at Tangla HS School Play ground in the presence of thousands of people including twi German tourists. Ten contingents of Tangla schools took part in march paste. Financial assistance was awarded to two poor deserving students on the occasion. BDO Pabitra Das specially requested the students to come forward to create a good academic atmosphere in the district. Santias Kunjur,EM,BTC also attended the ceremony.