Skip to content Skip to navigation

March 2009

Utilizing Our Resources - Joan of Arc

Lately, I have been wondering how we can survive tough times- times like now. Times are not tough in terms of law and order (at least in the West), but in economic terms. Like never before in my lifetime at least, there is a premium on innovation and risk taking. Many who did not innovate have gone belly-up already or are doomed for the chopping block. One should not give to pessimism; one should not bury one’s head in the sand in ostrich-like. Manner. Let me call a spade a spade.

Gomdhar Konwar - An Unsung Hero

A couple of days ago, an old journalist friend of mine called me from Assam. It has been ages since I last spoke with him.

The first thought that came to me on hearing his voice was, “He either wants to come to the US or needs money for his NGO!”

But he asked, “Do you know much about Gomdhar Konwar?”

My cynical mind presumed, “This Konwar must be his friend or a relative who needs help!”

He did not wait for my reply and ranted, “I know you don’t know about him. The sad part is that the majority of the people of Assam does not know about him.”

Ghanashyam Goswami Memorial Award to Devojyoti Borah

Jorhat-based computer scientist and author Devojyoti Borah has been chosen for the Ghanashyam Goswami Memorial Award for 2008. The award carries a citation and Rs 10,000 in cash for notable contributions to the field of science in the Assam. The award was instituted by the Ghanashyam Goswami Memorial Trust in 2001. The award was presented to Borah at a function held at Hatiyekhowa High School in Golaghat district on March 20, 2009.

“Secret Killings of Assam”, A Human Rights Document

In the late 1990s, after an attempt at a peace process with the banned ULFA had fallen through, a series of ‘secret’ killings had taken place in Assam, the targets being relatives of ULFA leaders and cadre. The allegation was that a band of ‘secret killers’ backed by the state government was targeting these innocent people, their only crime being relatives of insurgents, to put pressure of ULFA to come forward for negotiations.

Paradise Unexplored

Welcome to the “Abode of Cloud”, Meghalaya. Let me take you on a trip to the wettest place on earth…yes, you guessed it right…Cherrapunjee.

Cherrapunjee, locally and officially known as Sohra, is 56 kms from Shillong, and a “must see” destination for all tourists. Apart from being the record holder for the heaviest rainfall, it was the headquarters of the Khasi/Jaintia province during British rule, which was later, moved to Shillong in 1864, due to the inconvenience caused by excessive rain during the monsoon months.

RhythmsOfNortheast.com to be Launched in April

My name is Dhritiman Deori and I’m a musician/audio engineer based in Delhi. I’m writing to you because I’m presently doing a cultural preservation project on Northeast India that your magazine might be interested in covering. It is a completely first of its kind experimental project, but is also a very important one.

Assam Association felicitates three eminent sons of Assam

Assam Association, Delhi felicitated three great sons of Assam in a graceful function at Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan. The function coincided with the inauguration of the recently completed Auditorium of the Association, located at Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi. Three eminent persons are Dr Ramesh Deka- who is appointed Director in AIIMS, Mr. Hari Shankar Brahma- who has been appointed as Secretary to the Government of India and Mr Anjan Gogoi, who has been promoted to Air Marshal in the Indian Airforce.

Bhupenda! Few impressions!!

The first song I heard was right after I was born – my youngest uncle had been playing a Bhupen Hazarika song on the ‘Gramophone’ – way back in 60s. The background music of my sub-conscious mind has been tuned ever since to hundreds of songs sung by Bhupenda. He has songs for happiness, sorrow, romance, patriotism, sarcasm, nature, and what not... for almost any occasion, one can say! Now, with only a few of decades of my life remaining, it’s going to be Bhupenda all throughout!

Pages