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June 2007

A Need for Expanding Engineering Education Facilities in Assam for Economic Growth and Human Development

Submitted by admin on Sat, 06/30/2007 - 16:46

This essay presents a preliminary study that makes a strong case for substantially increasing the number of engineering colleges in Assam. Based on Assam’s population, the number of higher secondary school graduates and the significant number of students who leave Assam for post-school studies, it is obvious that the Government of Assam should establish a dozen additional engineering colleges in Assam, possibly with private support. The establishment of these colleges will signal to people inside and outside Assam that Assam is ready to turn a new leaf shedding its still mostly agrarian economy and enter the globalized hi-tech, engineering and knowledge-based economy. A Government of Assam that can take the bold steps necessary to expeditiously facilitate the establishment of these engineering colleges will start a sequence of

AEC Guwahati

events and processes that will provide for long-term academic and economic well-being of Assam’s talented population. Starting the engineering colleges as proposed by this study is likely to lead to chain reactions greatly enhancing Assam’s academic environment in fields other than engineering, e.g., medicine, business, entrepreneurship and innovation. Since the 21st century winners are bound to be those states, regions and countries with knowledge-based economies with highly educated pools of workers, it will initiate a silent but much-needed transformation of Assam toward modernity. Knowledge is power; empowering future citizens of Assam with latest state-of-the art technology will bring revolutionary economic growth to the state and to the region.

Nisukoni Geet, The Soothing Assamse Lullaby

Submitted by admin on Fri, 06/29/2007 - 17:05

Some of the early memories of my childhood are those of my Grandma singing lullabies to me. Her familiar and beautiful voice would often calm my discontented restless little body and lull me to sleep. As my Grandma crooned over and over those soothing tender tunes, I would often feel swiftly transported into dreamland, a fantasy world of vibrant colors and sweet imaginations. Today the tables are turned. I often struggle with my kids who many a time tire me out with their boundless energy and their insatiable thirst for stories and songs. I then felt the need to remember, mixed in fond memories, those quaint old songs to sing to my little ones. And help came unexpectedly and in pleasant surprise.

Mr Rajen Baruah of Houston, after painstaking research, has collected and compiled, in the Roman script, around twenty of those lyrical lullabies which in Assamese are called  “Nisukoni Geet”. On a recent trip to Austin, Mr. Baruah came over to my place and we worked together in compiling and giving voice to these age old songs. He believes that sound has its own energy and that sound breathes and shapes itself into musical work. He also believes in the importance of getting the pronunciations phonetically correct in order to preserve and uphold our Assamese language.

Rongali Bihu London

Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/28/2007 - 17:16

London’s recent annual Rongali Bihu saw a record number of attendants with the majority of new comers from the younger generation.

Almost 200 adults and scores of children from across the United Kingdom descended on North London to celebrate the Assamese new year.

Guests of the London Bihu commitee, which organised the event, were greeted with jalpan, such as siradoy, pitah and laroo, as they arrived at the St Andrews Church Hall, where artists from Britain and India held a cultural festival.

Twin Watch!!

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 17:29

Rupak Kumar Bhuyan of New Jersey, popularly known as Rick, is a talented sixteen year old artist. He is a sophomore (i.e., a high school student of Class Ten). Rick has devoted much time to the performing arts. He is an accomplished actor and singer.
At age nine, Rick made the debut performance of his singing career at Y2K Assam Conference at the Cherry Hill Hilton, in NJ. Since then, he has sung all across America. There are scarcely any opportunities to sing Assamese songs in America. So more than 95% of Rick’s performances are confined to English. In addition, Rick’s acting performances are solely in English and fully confined to American functions.music

Meenakshi Chivukula Graduates from Duke University

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 17:27

Meenakshi ChivulkaMeenakshi V. Chivukula of Medfield, Massachusetts (USA) recieved her Bachelor of Arts in International Comparative Studies from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, on May 13, 2007. Duke has been consistently ranked among the top ten national universities in the United States over the past many years.

Daughter of Suresh and Lakhimi Chivukula of Medfield, Massachusetts.

Neor

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 17:26

Neor

Kaushik and Punita Phukan’s son Neor  takes his first peek at the world. He was born in Seattle on April 25, 2007.

The Condition of Surya Pahar - a Neglected Archaeological Site

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 17:23

Situated in the far western corner of Assam is Surya Pahar, a small hill with the potential of becoming a revered and historical site. A few miles from the town of Goalpara lays this site, which archaeologists recently predicted might fundamentally change our understanding of the history of Assam. But unfortunately due to lack of funds, the archeological endeavor stooped early and the excavated structures lie at the mercy of the weather, people and animals.

Historical Significance

Dr. Namrata Gargee Choudhury receives M.D.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 17:20

Gargee Choudhury

Dr. Namrata Gargee Choudhury, daughter of Niren and Shakuntala Choudhury of Bridgewater, NJ recently received her M.D. degree from New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. She received her Bio-Engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. Among her many honors, she was the 1st Prize Wnner of the Medical Strudent's Clinical Vignette Award presented by the American College of Physicians.

Dulari Tahbildar graduated from MIT

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 17:16

Dulari Tahbildar

Dulari Tahbildar, daughter of  Umesh C. &  Pronoti  Tahbildar of West Windsor, NJ  graduated with Master of City Planning degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on June 8, 2007 . As a part of the requirements for the degree, Dulari wrote a thesis on a Case Study of Civic engagement and Planning “from below” to promote Educational Equity in Post-Katrina New Orleans.

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