Awareness programme on avenue for woman economic empowerment held at Tangla

An awareness programme on avenue for woman economic empowerment held at Tangla on September 21. The programme which was held at RC Saharia Memorial Teachers Training College hall,Tangla was organised by social worker Dr.Dipankar Saharia in association with State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD). More than three hundred woman representatives from 120 nos SHG covering 40 villages took part in the day long programme. Social Worker Kamakhya Barman in his welcome speech introduced all the guests to the people present after plantation of a few orange saplings in the college campus. Inaugurating the programme, social worker and former civil service officer Dr.Dipankar Saharia (son of former Assam home and education minister late Ramesh Ch. Saharia) remarked that nearly eighty percent people living in the villages mostly depend on agriculture. It was really difficult to make any progress without giving importance to agriculture sector. According to him traditional approach to agriculture in Assam could not help villagers. He strongly suggested market oriented approach in agriculture production in Assam. He also stressed the need for creating work culture among people of Assam with more and more participation of woman. Dr.Saharia suggested a few methods to enhance production. In this regard he mentioned cultivation of banana,orange,lemon or bamboo etc. He also spoke on recent Food Security Bill. Anupam Dutta,Officer in-charge,Extension Centre, SIRD, Bezera attending the session as a resource person explained on the role and functioning of SIRD in promoting methods suitable for rural people specially for woman. He requested woman to take up projects like tailoring, beautician etc suitable for modern times. Dr.Kabyajyoti Bora spoke on animal and bird keeping by village woman for self sufficiency. According to him Bonaraja species of birds were most suitable for Assam climate which are disease resistant and easy to keep at home. Jayanta Saharia, Project Asstt. SIRD explained about the role of village woman in promoting economic up liftment of woman. He advised woman not to depend on their husband,sons or daughters even in later ages but to earn their own for self dependency. Senior journalist Jayanta Kumar Das presided over the session which was also attended by journalists Bapan Sarma,Diganta Kumar Sarma,Ujjal Das,Nabajyoti Barua etc. More than five hundred orange and lemon saplings were distributed among the woman at the end.

Four killed by wild elephants in Udalguri

Man-elephant conflict has taken a serious turn in Udalguri district following deaths of four more persons in a single night. So far 16 people have been killed by wild elephants this year living near Indo-Bhutan brder. According to information a few wild elephants killed Kulbahadur Rai (60) and Jaybahadur Rai (38) in Raibasti village (No.3 Kundarbil new village) at around 9.30 PM yesterday night on September 12. It has been alleged that the same wild elephants again attacked other people of Dhepabasti village near SSB camp killing two more persons namely – Labanya Chao (52) and Boiler (32) at around 11 pm. All the persons died on spot. It needs mention that the same wild elephant had killed Ratul Boro (26) at No.4 Amjuli and seriously injured Gudu Chouhan (30) at Section No.13 of Bhutiachang TE few days back. The human causalities would have been more had two Kunkis provided by WWF to prevent wild elephants intervened in time.So far WWF has provided 5 Kunki elephants in the district to protect villagers . Nature loving people of Udalguri urge BTC authority immediately to take steps to protect lives and property of the villagers and to ensure safety of wild elephants.In the mean time Girindra Adhikari, DFO,Dhansiri Forest Division,Udalguri and DN Hazarika, Circle Officer,Harisinga Revenue Circle have visited the sites to take necessary action.

Tortoise rescued

A huge tortoise was rescued recently near Kalaigaon on September 5. According to information a few villagers found the tortoise weighing 25 KG near a small river in Uttar Bokrajhar village under Kalaigaon police Station. The matter was reported to DFO,Dhansiri Forest Division,Hony.Wildlife Warden,Udalguri and SDPO,Bhergaon Sub- division, Tangla.In the mean time the tortoise was brought to Kalaigaon police station by villagers of Uttar Bokrajhar. A team of forest personnel headed by M Sarma, ACF brought it to Paneri from where it was again taken to Udalguri to be released in Orang National Park.Nature lovers appreciated good work of the villagers for rescuing the tortoise safe.

Teachers' Day celebrated at Paneri with gaiety

Students and teachers of Paneri celebrated Teachers' Day with gaiety at Paneri on September 5 with day long programme. The central programme was organised at Paneri Higher secondary School,well attended by more than thousand students and teachers. 'Banti Prajalon' marked the beginning of days programme in the morning where students and teachers offered respect to legendary scholar Dr.S Radhakrishnan followed by open session which was presided over by senior teacher Upendra Boro. Peter Basumatary, principal,Paneri HS School inaugurated the open session at 11 AM by offering floral tribute to Dr. Radhakrishnan. On the occasion he proudly mention the life and works of the great scholar in whose memory Teachers' Day is being celebrated all over India. Ramani Saharia,founder teacher of Paneri HS School addressed the students and teachers to bring light to old days untold stories. Although now eighty years old,Ramani Saharia still looked young and energetic.His speech was loudly appreciated by all. Jayanta Das,Headmaster of Kalaigaon Girls High School attending the programme as the chief guest was in all praise for the students and teachers of Paneri HSS for their discipline and dedication to duty. He explained about the role of students and teachers in the matter of conservation nature and wildlife. The open session was also addressed by Niladhar Deka (retired principal of Paneri HSS),Bhobo Ram Boro, Charan Brahma and student Jonalee Thakuria etc. The ceremony was also attended by a number of retired teachers who were given a warm welcome by the school.A grand cultural function was arranged on the occasion where students performed traditional folk culture of various ethic groups of Assam. Ramp walking on traditional Bodo culture was nicely presented by students under the guidance of Charan Brahma. Nikhil Dutta anchored the proceeding of the day.

People rejoice at the saving of a dying wild tusker at Paneri

A wild tusker who had been battling for life after electrocution in Paneri tea garden was successfully treated to rejoin its herd yesterday evening on August 29. A team of veterinary doctors headed by noted veterinary surgeon Dr.Kushal Sarma,HOD, Surgery, College of Veterinary Science,Khanapara,Guwahati successfully treated the tusker to much delight of animal lovers and common people. According to information, the wild tusker aged 18 years was seriously injured when it came in contact with loosely erected live electric wires at section No.7 of Paneri tea garden on the night of August 28. Forest department was informed in the morning of August 29. The tusker battled hard in vain to stand up on its legs and finally settled down on the ground in a critical condition. It was known that tea garden authority removed all the evidences before the arrival of police and forest officials. Tea garden authority even pulled down the shed with the help of JCB so as to put the blame on the animal. Nirupam Hazarika,SDPO,Bhergaon; DN Hazarika,Circle Officer,Harisinga Revenue Circle;JK.Das,Hony.Wildlife Warden,Udalguri district inspected the site where Dr. Ranjan Kumar Sarma was giving primary treatment with the help of police and forest personnel. The tusker was too weak to accept food or water. Girindra Adhikari, DFO,Dhansiri Forest Division and elephant expert Dr.Kushal Sarma finally arrived at Paneri for better treatment of the animal. After administering several doses of injections attempts were made to make the elephant stand up with the help of JCB. It was a touching sight to see the tusker moving away slowly to rejoin its herd. Later Dr. Kushal Sarma told media that it had been a great achievement to treat and rescue the wild elephant in short time. He said that it would have been impossible to save the elephant the next day.He thanked all for saving the wild elephant. It needs mention that Dr.Kushal Sarma had visited various places of the district on August 26 including Bhutiachang,Hatigarh and Nonai along with Girindra Adhikari,DFO,DN Hazarika, Circle Officer,Harisinga Revenue Circle; Madhurjya Sarma,ACF,Dhansiri Forest Division; David Smith,WWF North Bank Landscape Programme,Tezpur and Jayanta K Das, Hony. Wildlife Warden of the district etc. where man-elephant conflict has taken serious turn.A high level discussion was also held at Nonai forest range office on August 26 to decide future action plan to mitigate man-elephant conflict.

Two more wild elephant calves died in Udalguri in Assam

The unnatural death of two more wild elephant calves in a single night at two different places in Udalguri district have caused serious concern among nature loving people of the district. Interestingly both the calves had to die due to human activities. The three months old male wild elephant breathed its last at section No.26 of Coramore tea garden from falling into a deep tea garden treanch laid by garden management for prohibiting wild elephants' entry in to the tea gardens. In the other incident another 18 months old male wild elephant was found dead in a field on the bank of Bhola river near Bongurum Reserve Forest last night. Eye witnesses said the calf was bleeding profusely from its mouth and anus suggesting consumption of poison.

Frequent deaths of wild elephants have now been a serious concern in the district. According to a nature loving people,insurgency infested Udalguri district had been paid less attention by BTC authority. Major environmental NGOs too have stopped working deep inside the forest due to insurgency and extortion as alleged by a few environmental workers. In the mean time unabated destruction of forest in Khalingduar Reserve Forest has too been causing destruction of green cover in the district. Small numbers of untrained and aged forest personnel too have been responsible for the loss of flora and fauna. Deployment of more young trained forest officers only would be able to work successfully,what common people feel.

On way to Udalguri

67th I-Day celebrated in Udalguri district with gaiety

The 67 th Independence Day was celebrated in Udalguri district(Assam in India) with gaiety. At Udalguri town Thaneswar Malakar, Deputy Commissioner,Udalguri hoisted the tricolour at DC's parade ground in presence of more than six thousand people. Speaking on the occasion DC Malakar thanked people of Udalguri for maitaining peace in most difficult times. According to him progress and development of the society would be possible if people offer help and cooperation to police and administration in time. He inspected guard of honour after hoisting the national flag.A record number of 25 contingents took part in the march past (794 participants) to much delight to people. A ten member good will delegation from Bhutan also attended India's Independence Day celebration at Udalguri at the invitation of Thaneswar Malakar, Deputy Commissioner of Udalguri district.The Bhutanese delegation was headed by Sherub Dorji,SDO (Civil) ,Jomotsangkha. On the occasion Deputy Commissioner of Udalguri district felicitated Mr. Dorji and his colleagues with Xarai, gamocha and mementoes.Members of the Bhutanese team performed traditional Bhuanese folk dances which was appreciated by all. Excellent cultural items were also presented by local child artists of various schools of Udalguri town.

The Udalguri district administration felicitated a few distinguished people of the district for their contribution to the people of the society. Binoy Kumar Medhi Retd principal of Tangla College was awarded CM's Best Community Action Award for Development.Other receipant of awards were- Ananta Bagh and Paramesh Rabha (best action award in the field of conservation), Kharga Prasad sarma (excellence in public administration),JK Singh SI,police (excellence in public security),Satyen Das (excellence in public service), Udalguri district administration also felicitated other 12 distinguished social workers on the occasion of Independence Day celebration. They were- journalist Bhargab Kumar Das, Dr.Rohit Brahma,Chandra Mohan Chetry, Tazar Ali Ahmed, Mahesh Rabha, Purandar Basumatari, Khitap Boro, Gunen Sarma, Gobardhan Chouhan, Jatindra Kumar Sharma, Rabi Ram Ramchiary, Chani Ram Deka, Sashi Kanta Raha, Jatindra Nath Bayan and Sewali Das,mother of Martyr Prabin Das of Bhergaon. Munin Sarma senior official of the DC's office anchored proceedings till the end.

At Kalaigaon : At Kalaigaon,Dina Moni Das,Circle Officer, Kalaigaon Revenue Circle hoisted the national flag at Gandhi Bakori field, in presence of nearly a thousand people. The Circle Officer felicitated six people namely- Mukta Ram Deka (social work),Lakhi Saharia (retd sports teacher), Dadhi Basumatari (best gaonburah),Kushal Saharia Assam Police) Samsuddin Ahmed (VDP),Bhadra Kanta Nath and Thaneswar Boro (best farmer) for their remarkable contribution to the society in respective fields. Cultural events were also arranged on the occasion for boys and girls. Kamal Prasad Sarma anchored the proceedings of the day.

At Tangla : At commercial town Tangla,DN Hazarika,Circle Officer,Harisinga Revenue Circle hoisted the national flag at Tangla HS School Play ground in the presence of nearly five thousand people.Speaking on the occasion DN Hazarika requested people to remember the supreme sacrifice of those who had sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our country. Hazarika also appealed all to exempt students from bandhs which have been causing untold harm to students community living in BTAD in particular. 26 march past contingents ( more than 1200 participants in numbers) took part in march paste event. Four persons namely- Suchibrata Saharia (best student) , Gajendra Kachari (best VDP worker) Ramji Prasad and Oman Ali (best gaonburah) Fruits were distributed among patients in Tangla Hospital. An open quiz was held on Indian history.Cultural events and drawing competition were also arranged for the children. A friendly football match was played in the afternoon to mark the end of the days programme.

Udalguri girls in colourful tribal costume

Cultural group from Jamotsangkha,Bhutan performing at Udalguri