Pragjyotishpur - the ancient capital of the mythical land of Kamrup, built by Narakasura, has been reborn in the Dwarka Sub city of New Delhi as Pragjyotishpur Cooperative Group Housing Society. With 140 flats, the society is the only complex outside Assam created by and for the Assamese people. Formed and registered in 1983, it had initially 150 members, mostly central Govt. employees, media professionals, politicians and employees of PSUs and Assam House.
Following an advertisement in the newspapers, a few enterprising Assamese like Mr S R Dewri, Dr Rabin Sarmah, Inamul Islam (General Secretary of Assam Association of that time) etc. got together and decided to form a society. They registered its name in the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (ROCS), Delhi and applied to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for allotment of land. Many members paid Rs. 110/- as the initial Membership and Registration fee but quite half heartedly. Then the ordeal of waiting started. Waiting for the actual allotment of plot! It stretched from 1983 to 1995, and the cooperative housing society movement was only at its nascent stage. The long waiting eroded the patience and confidence of many and quite a few original members resigned and withdrew their fee. Subsequently new members joined against the vacancies and deposited lump sum amounts towards the cost of land as per demands made by the society.
Fortunately for the Society, we got a communication from DDA in the year 1995, wherein, they instructed us to get the membership list verified from ROCS and arrange necessary funds for land. When the Society demanded larger amounts from its members as the cost price of the plot of land, many Assamese members again withdrew and eventually, we were compelled to enroll many non Assamese Members for collecting funds required for buying the plot of land.
At the time of verification of membership, we had only 140 members and that list was forwarded to DDA for allotment of land. DDA allotted plot No. 7 at Sector 10, measuring 9500 sq mtrs. According to the directives of DDA, the 1st installment of the land price was deposited within a month of allotment.
However, we were not prepared for the shock when we went to see the plot! It was a huge water logged gorge, 15 feet deep, two thirds of it under water. We immediately wrote to DDA for changing the plot or to have the plot filled up before handover. Again a year went by but DDA did not agree to change the plot. They did, however, assure us to have the plot filled up at an appropriate time.
Left with no other option, the society took possession eventually. They did protest but reluctantly, they had to deposit the entire amount towards the plot of land. The Society then constituted a Construction Committee with the following members:
1) Dr Rabin Sarmah, President
2) Dr N Sarmah, Hony Secretary
3) Mr K K Sarma, Civil Engineer
4) Mr P C Bordoloi, Civil Engineer
5) Mr Jogeswar Hazarika, Accountant
6) Late S S Ahmed
7) Mr K N Saikia, Architect.
The construction committee took all possible measures for selecting and appointing one good architect and a contractor through newspaper advertisements. Estimates and blueprints were prepared and all requisite approvals were obtained from different authorities. Construction of building started in October 1996 and completed in a record time of 3 years. Partial land filling was done by DDA after great persuasion. But the Society also had to spend over Rs 20 lakhs in slush removal and land filling.
Against all odds, the flats were finally ready and allotment was done by DDA through draw of lots. Families started moving in from early 2000. The society has three categories of flats, 2BR (1058 sqft), 3 BR (1218 sqft) and 3Br + Servant Quarter (1318 sqft). The cost of the flats came to Rs. 8.5, Rs. 9.25 and Rs. 10.5 lacs respectively at the time of allotment.
Dwarka was not an easy place to live in initially. Families who have moved in from other localities of Delhi had to adjust to the long and arduous commute and the water that was hard. But suddenly road connectivity improved with the opening of the two underpasses on both sides of the airport and a 3 km long flyway connecting the main city. Thereafter, Delhi Metro Rail was commissioned. The commuting time was reduced substantially due to better connectivity. Dwarka became one of the most sought after localities in Delhi. Moreover, the area could boast of a clean environment, wide roads, well laid out drainage system, paved footpaths, malls, markets etc. Besides being a Metro hub and very close to the International and Domestic airport, we also have an Engineering College, University, National Law School, NHAI HQ, District Court, Sports complex, quite a few good schools, colleges, ISBT, 5 star hotels, etc. The property values have gone up more than threefold since then. The Prgajyotishpur Society is located at the heart of Dwarka, its premium increasing day by day! Dwarka, as a whole, has the capacity to accommodate 1 lac families.
At the moment, out of the 140 flats in Pragjyotishpur Society, more than 90 are owned by Assamese residents. It is just like a small Assamese village. Kudos to the members for trying to preserve & promote the rich cultural heritage of Assam. We celebrate all the festivals of Assam like Magh Bihu, Bohag Bihu, Srimanta Sankaradeva’s Tithi, Fakuwa, Diwali, Saraswati Puja etc. So much so that recently a sub centre of Sattriya School was also started. It is heartening to see the non Assamese members also joining in the festivities with equal gusto. Many non Assamese children are learning Bihu and Sattriya dance forms and sing Bihu songs.
The Pragjyotishpur Society has all the modern amenities like a Club House, 3 badminton courts, indoor games, a well-stocked library, open spaces for arranging events etc. The main attraction of the society is its big central lawn which can accommodate up to 800 guests during a wedding reception or a cultural function.
Needless to say, our guests visiting from Assam and other parts are highly impressed by the environment, good housekeeping, maintenance and congenial atmosphere in the Society. I believe, if we have similar societies created in other metropolitan cities in India and abroad, it will definitely be helpful in propagating the rich cultural heritage of Assam.
Dr Nilamani Sarmah
Dwarka, New Delhi
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