tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90801757816931980892023-06-20T18:27:59.335+05:30Spectrum~ A collection of published fiction and non-fiction ~Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-52182015925532022882018-05-26T15:02:00.000+05:302018-05-26T15:02:08.146+05:30A MOTHER'S TRAUMA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shanti lifted the folds of her
sari, tucked them in her waist and hurriedly ascended the flight of stairs to
the first floor. She rang the doorbell, pushed the partially opened door and
headed straight towards the kitchen. “Ma’am,” she called out.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Malini was on the roof terrace
of their two-storey building, cutting some stems of flowers that she had
planted in several large flowerpots. She heard the doorbell ring and Shanti’s
loud voice calling out to her. She came down through the narrow stairs slowly
and entered her house through the door which Shanti had left fully open.
“You’re late today,” she said.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Actually Ma’am…” Shanti tried
to give an explanation but Malini interrupted, instructing her to carry on with
the regular household chores because she knew that some sort of excuse would
blurt out as usual.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ma’am,” Shanti called out again
after sometime. “I need your help once more,” she said in a pleading tone, as
she washed the utensils kept in the sink.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Malini understood that she
needed money in advance. “What’s the matter, Shanti?” she asked.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A proposal has come for Rupa
and I will arrange her marriage at an earliest possible date,” she replied in a
serious tone. Rupa was her only daughter who recently took admission in a
college.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s nice, but why do you
want to hurry?” Malini asked, placing a crystal flower vase decked with
colourful gladioli in the centre of the dining table.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“In fact, I don’t want to take
any risk, Ma’am,” she replied.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What kind of risk? You should
let Rupa complete her graduation,” Malini advised.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After finishing her work in the
kitchen, Shanti went towards the grilled balcony to get the broom that was
lying in a corner. She picked it up and entered the living room. “Ma’am, can
you kindly lend me twenty thousand rupees for Rupa’s marriage?” she made a
request.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Alright, I’ll help you. So, the
pressure must be from the bridegroom’s side I guess,” Malini said, as she
flipped off the fan switch and began to open the windows of the room one after
another.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shanti shook her head. “No
Ma’am, nothing like that.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want the same
mistake to happen again,” she mumbled.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What do you mean?” Malini
asked, hearing her faint words though.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shanti’s eyes became moist.
“Ma’am…” her lips quivered.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Malini understood that she
wanted to tell something. “Yes?”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ma’am, Rita’s fault made me
lost faith,” she said in a low voice.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who’s Rita?” Malini asked,
looking straight into her eyes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“She is my elder daughter,
Ma’am.” Shanti could hardly speak.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What! But you told me that Rupa
is your only daughter,” Malini said, perplexed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Not only to you Ma’am, but to
everyone after I disowned her,” Shanti said, trying to hold back her tears.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh! But why did you have to do
that?” Malini asked anxiously.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It is a bitter episode of my
life, Ma’am,” Shanti said, covering her face with her hands.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Malini did not know whether she
should ask any other questions further but simultaneously she wanted to know
what happened between Shanti and Rita and what could be the reason behind the
disownment.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ma’am, you have never refused
me whenever I was in need of money. I should not have kept lying to you at
least, by saying that Rupa is my only daughter. I am sorry,” Shanti said after
a while, with feelings of guilt. She continued, “Today, I will tell you the
truth and about the trauma that I had to go through.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She sat down and began to
narrate the distressing chapter of her life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Decades ago, Shanti’s husband
died in an accident. Her two daughters, who were five years apart in age, were
very young then and hence she had to work hard to make a living. She took up
part-time jobs in many houses so that she could send Rita and Rupa to a school.
As they grew up, she made them efficient in cooking, embroidery and doing all
the household work as well.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In due course of time, a
suitable proposal came for her elder daughter and with her consent, Shanti made
plans for the wedding. She borrowed money from all the houses where she worked
and promised to return the cash gradually, by accepting only half of her
earnings from the following month.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All the necessary arrangements
were almost ready, but on the day prior to marriage, Rita eloped. Not even once
did she give a hint to her mother or her sister that she was in love with a boy
from their neighbourhood.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shanti was in utter dismay. She
did not know what to do. Rupa was dumbstruck. She began to weep. “Don’t shed
tears for that selfish one!” Shanti shouted in rage. “Neither did she care to
think about me and nor about your future. She had evidently seen how much
effort I had put into the preparations and managed everything all alone with my
hard-earned money, yet she kept quiet all along. If she wanted to get married
to that particular boy, then she should have told me the day itself when I had
asked for her consent. Why would I disagree to her choice? Now, what shall I
say to the bridegroom and his parents? And how shall I face the guests whom I
had invited?”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shanti screamed angrily in such
a manner that one by one, soon the neighbours gathered to enquire what was
going on in her house. They tried to console her but Shanti just could not
control her frustration. She continued yelling, “Everybody come and see the
consequence of my affection towards my offspring. I raised her with great care
and never did let her feel the absence of a father, but still I fell short of my
expectations.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rupa went and hugged her mother.
After a long time, tears rolled down from Shanti’s eyes. She wiped them quickly
and said in a stern voice, “Henceforth, only Rupa is my daughter and I disown
that wretched girl who betrayed me. Listen all of you, from now on, no one
should ask me about her.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hearing Shanti’s words, there
was commotion among the people present there. They expressed their sympathy for
her and concurrently rebuked Rita for leaving her mother in a state of shock
and heart-broken.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crowd dispersed eventually
and the news of Rita’s elopement spread wide. With immense discomfort, Shanti
set out to the bridegroom’s house to inform them about the shameful incident
and to seek their forgiveness. They were equally shocked to hear the
disgraceful fact and thus humiliated Shanti to a great extent, as they also
dreaded facing embarrassment from people.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shanti returned home with much
disappointment. She sat still in the verandah. The harsh words said to her by
the bridegroom’s parents kept coming in her thoughts. Bit by bit, her wrath
towards Rita began to increase.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rupa felt unhappy seeing her
grief-stricken mother. She came and sat beside her. “Mummy,” she said and held
Shanti’s hands. “Please calm down. I can comprehend how you’re feeling but
nothing can be done which has already happened. You have to acknowledge the
circumstances anyway. It won’t be easy for you I know, but try and forgive
her…”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, I will never forgive her.
Don’t keep pursuing me,” Shanti interrupted adamantly. She continued, “You are
still young and so you are not able to understand the agony of a mother. I
know, it would be tough for anyone else too, to accept such a situation.” Then,
shaking her forefinger, she asserted, “Mark my words. The one who hurts a
parent will also get hurt one day, sooner or later.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Mummy, I hope your words would
not turn out to be a curse. I know that she will not get your blessings because
what she has done is a big blunder indeed. But she is your daughter after all
and I wish you shall not keep holding a grudge against her forever.” Rupa tried
to pacify her mother.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Malini felt sad hearing the
account. “Don’t worry, Shanti. Everything will go well this time,” she said,
giving her a cup of tea and a sandwich.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shanti heaved a long sigh.
“After a very long period of time, I have spoken about this topic,” she said
slowly. “Believe me Ma’am, my heart feels much lighter now.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Malini smiled at her. “God bless
you and your daughters! Have faith in Him always,” she said.</span></span></span></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>[Published
in May 2018 issue of ‘Indian Ruminations’, a journal of Indian English
Writers]<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></span></span></span><br />
</div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-24376940532137332962018-05-26T14:41:00.000+05:302018-05-26T14:42:53.908+05:30ATTRACTIONS OF TRIPURA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our three-day trip to Tripura started on the
first week of December last year. We enjoyed exploring the capital city and
went on to visit Udaipur, Melaghar, Kasba and Akhaura as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tripura, one of the Northeastern States of
India, shares its border with Assam in the north-east, with Mizoram in the east
and is surrounded by Bangladesh on its south, west and north. Greenery and
water bodies are found in abundance in many regions of the State.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our first destination was Tripureswari
Temple, situated near Udaipur, about 55 kilometres from Agartala. Commonly
known as Matabari, this temple is one of the 51 <em>Shakti Peeths</em> of Hindu
mythology. It is believed that Sati’s right leg fell there when Lord Shiva in
remorse, performed the celestial dance of destruction, carrying the remains of
his wife’s self-immolated body. The temple stands on a small hillock and the
beautiful lake, Kalyan Sagar, lies behind it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Next, we went to Neermahal, the lone water
palace of the North-east, situated in Melaghar. This spectacular monument is in
the middle of the vast Rudrasagar Lake. After buying our tickets, we proceeded
towards the beautiful palace on a motor-boat. The palace is divided into two
parts. The main area has two sections, consisting of several rooms and
balconies for the king and queen separately. On our journey back on the
motor-boat, we spotted some migratory birds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">At Melaghar, we visited the Pagli Mashi
temple to get a glimpse of an old woman who is thronged by people to seek her
blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We then made our way through Bishalgarh
towards the Kali Temple of Kasba. This temple stands on a hillock and the lake
Kamalasagar in front, adds to its beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We then headed to Akhaura, about two
kilometers away from Agartala. It is the Indo-Bangladesh border where the flag
lowering ceremony takes place between the two countries. We clicked pictures at
the international border and returned thereafter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The next day, our first destination was the
magnificent white Ujjayanta Palace, the main attraction of the capital city.
Popularly known as ‘Rajbari’, this former royal abode of the ruling Manikya
dynasty stands on a lakefront and is now the Tripura State Museum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Located near the Ujjayanta Palace is the
Jagannath temple, also known as Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math. After offering
prayers, we visited Venuvan Vihar, a Buddhist shrine, located at Kunjaban.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Heritage Park is another tourist
attraction of the city, situated at Kunjaban. The park is designed as mini Tripura,
showcasing the undulating landscape with tiny railway stations, and replicas of
Tripura’s landmarks. Several water bodies are beautifully presented in
miniature form.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Chaturdas Devata Temple at Old Agartala
was the last destination of our trip. This temple is unique as it looks like a
stupa and as the name implies, there are 14 deities that are worshipped.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we moved through the streets of the city,
we caught sight of the construction work going on for the long flyover that
would be the first in Tripura, which would cover a distance of more than two
kilometres. We also went through many <em>Chowmuhanis</em>, which meant crossroads in
the local language.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While exploring the attractions of Tripura,
we relished the delicious cuisine that included fish curries of the famous <em>hilsa</em>
and <em>pavda</em>. Our trip ended well and we brought with us wonderful memories
captured in pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>[Published in ‘The Assam Tribune’ on 5
January 2018]<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-86317130299384425662015-03-05T14:19:00.000+05:302018-05-26T14:34:14.717+05:30DEUTA: MY STRENGTH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Deuta’s journey to the heavenly abode on 23
February 2015 at International Hospital, Guwahati due to cardiac arrest, has
left a deep void in my life. Departure to another world is a harsh reality but
this inevitable fact is really being hard for me to accept.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Deuta was born on 14th April 1935 to Late
Dr.Dharani Kanta Baruah and Late Kusum Kumari Baruah of Madhyam Khanda, North
Guwahati. Dr.Ramani Kanta Baruah, as he was known, received education started
at Chenikuthi Primary School, Guwahati, followed by Kamrup Academy, Guwahati
and Sipajhar High School, Sipajhar. In 1952, he passed matriculation
examination from Barpeta Govt. H.E. School and then I.Sc (Intermediate Science)
from Cotton College, Guwahati.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After his MBBS degree from Assam Medical
College, Dibrugarh, he started his career as Medical Officer at Assam Oil
Company in 1963, posted at Digboi. Assam Oil Company was then owned by the
British and later it merged with Indian Oil Corporation and a new division was
set up known as Assam Oil Division.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He married Tarini, my mother on 23 January
1967. In 1972, he completed DLO (Diploma in Oto Laryngology) from GSVM Medical
College, Kanpur. His service continued as Additional Chief Medical Officer
(ENT) in IOC (AOD) Hospital, Digboi. He got promoted to become Principal
Medical Officer in 1992. After 31 years of service, he retired on 30 November
1994. Since 1995 he has been staying in his residence at Jironi, Ashok Path,
Survey, Beltola, Guwahati.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Deuta involved himself in various
activities. He was a life member of Indian Medical Association, Indian Red
Cross Society, IMA Academy of Medical Specialities, Doctors Guild and also a
member of Association of Otolaryngologist of India. As a doctor, he was always
compassionate towards his patients.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There shall be short of space if I right
down all about him. I always feel fortunate to have him as my father and I
believe that it is God’s blessings. Deuta is my strength, my inspiration. His
advice, guidance and confidence in me has helped me to step forward in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Deuta loved to play sitar and during his
years in college he participated in various competitions and bagged prizes. He
taught me to play sitar when I was in class 7. We both performed sitar recitals
(duet) in Digboi accompanied by my brothers Dulumoni on table and Janmoni on
the harmonium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">There was always a strong attachment between
Deuta and me and I knew that he loved me the most. We were like friends and he
shared many things with me. Our choices, likes and dislikes were also similar.
He always lent a patient ear when I told him about any of my problems. I felt
relieved when he showed me the ways how to solve them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He had a magnetic personality and I
specially admired his wonderful art of speaking. Punctuality, discipline and
hard work were the keys of his successful career. He performed his duties with
great devotion, determination and dedication.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Deuta’s demise is a personal loss to me
physically but he shall be omnipresent through his blessings and memories. I
offer my sincere prayers for his eternal peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>[Published in the souvenir ‘Xomoy Balir
Khujbur’ on 5 March 2015]<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
<br />
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-90082901361769831142013-06-18T19:32:00.000+05:302018-05-26T13:38:51.796+05:30REMINISCING SARADA DEVI, THE HOLY MOTHER, WHOSE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY IS CELEBRATED AS 'MATRI DIVAS'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">'Matri Divas' is celebrated on the twenty-second of December to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sarada Devi, who was fondly known as 'Maa Sarada' or the 'Holy Mother'. According to Swami Vivekananda, she was an illustration of an ideal woman due to her selfless service and liberal outlook towards enrichment of common people and transformation of the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">On 22 December 1853, Sarada Devi was born to Ramchandra Mukhopadhyay and Shyama Sundari Devi who lived in Jayrambati, a village in West Bengal. Since childhood, she was inclined to spirituality. She tried to learn the Bengali alphabet but had no access to formal education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">At the age of six, she was married to Sri Ramkrishna, who followed the path of spirituality. But she continued to stay with her parents and engaged herself in performing all the household duties. When she reached eighteen years of age, she went to Dakhineshwar to meet Ramkrishna. Her husband received her with pleasure and they stayed together living pure and religious lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the year 1872, Sarada Devi was worshipped through rituals as Divine Mother and the trait of universal motherhood concealed in her got awakened. Subsequently, she began to perceive the disciples of her husband as her own children. She spent her entire life caring and serving everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In 1886, Ramkrishna passed away and Sarada Devi set out on a pilgrimage. Later, she was brought to Calcutta by the disciples of her husband. The turning point of her life started as she began to receive plenty of devotees. With a compassionate heart of a mother, she embraced everyone, even people who led immoral lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Inspite of being worshipped as Holy Mother; she led a very simple life, doing all the household tasks all by herself. She ever remained calm and blessed one and all who came to meet her. She possessed virtues of purity, patience, wisdom, spiritual perception, universal love and compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">During the ultimate phase of her life, her physical condition began to decline. She became weak due to frequent attacks of malaria. On 21 July 1920, she breathed her last.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">To reminisce and pay tributes to the Holy Mother Sarada Devi, 'Matri Divas' is celebrated every year on twenty second December. The day is observed to acknowledge every mother, who plays a vital role in the development of her children since she is the essence of creation and the first tutor of her child.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">[Published in ‘Ezine Articles’ on 6 June 2013]</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></span></div>
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8927107636592377" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-slot="2089644431" style="display: block;"></ins> </div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-37390054418563553752013-06-04T16:38:00.000+05:302017-11-17T14:08:07.259+05:30CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY MAHARISHI VED VYAS, THE AUTHOR OF THE EPIC 'MAHABHARATA'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Immense contributions were made by the great gurus of India during
ancient times. Maharishi Ved Vyas is well known for protecting the Vedas and
preserving knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Krishna Dwaipayan, popularly known as Ved Vyas, was born in Kalpi Island
of the Yamuna River on the full moon day in the month of 'Ashadh' (June-July).
His father was Sage Parashar, the grandson of Sage Vasishtha and his mother was
Matsyagandha, a fisher girl whose original name was Satyawati. When Sage
Parashar died, Satyawati got married to Shantanu, the king of Hastinapur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ved Vyas composed the great epic 'Mahabharata' which is read worldwide
even today. He recorded all the history for the future generations and rendered
'Gita' as a part of the epic, which still serves as an ideal guide to every
human being for positive actions and living a purposeful life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Vyas made great efforts in preserving the voluminous store of Vedic
knowledge. At first when he doubted that the Vedas might get extinct, he
protected them by compilation and organised them into four parts. He then laid
stress on handing over the knowledge from one generation to the other. This was
done by a guru to his disciple and by a father to his son.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Besides these, he allotted the various branches of knowledge to several
communities. The different branches were Ayurveda (medical science including
surgery), Sthapatya Veda (sculpture related to metals, mortars, stones and
wood), Gandharva Veda (vocal and instrumental music, dance, art etc.) and
Dhanur Veda (skills of military warfare).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ved Vyas also composed Puranas so that the common people could
understand all about the Vedic principles and sincerely follow them in their
lives. According to him, religion was not just belief in facts heard or told,
but being a part, by realizing truths and developing them and carrying them out
in actions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Guru-Shishya tradition for protection of Indian culture was
established by Ved Vyas. He assigned each of the four Vedas to different
disciples who were competent for propagation of knowledge. He gave Rig Veda to
Bhaskala, Yajur Veda to Vaishampayana, Sam Veda to Jaimini and Atharva Veda to
Aruni. The main goal of this tradition was to establish an ideal social order.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Gurukul system of education in India thus gradually developed from
the Guru-Shishya tradition. The sons of both the kings and the common men came
from far off places to stay with the guru in his 'ashram'. All lived together
and the children were treated as part of the guru's family. They served their
guru and respected him as a deity. The disciples learned not only what they
were taught but also learnt how to live with humility and dignity. The
disciples attained knowledge by observing the life of their guru and
experiencing truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ved Vyas shall always be remembered for his sincere efforts of
preserving Vedic knowledge. Hence, his birth anniversary is celebrated every
year as Guru Purnima.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">[Published in ‘Ezine Articles’ on
3 June 2013]</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-43041784172561499062013-05-29T13:15:00.001+05:302018-05-26T14:31:45.095+05:30THE POWER OF WORDS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.55pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was
morning and the day was twenty-fifth December. The door bell rang. I opened the
door and saw an old lady and a young girl smiling at me. “Merry Christmas,”
they said and shook my hands. The girl then forwarded me a Christmas card.
“We’ll be delighted if you with your family come to our residence in the
evening”, the old lady invited me. “Sure”, I assured them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It
was my first visit to the lady’s cottage and I was overwhelmed with their
hospitality. After returning home, I took out my diary and penned my feelings
through a poem. Next day, I sent the poem for publication to the “feelings”
column of an esteemed daily. Few weeks later, it was a pleasant surprise for me
when I found my poem titled ‘A lady with a difference,’ published in the
newspaper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.55pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">One
of the lady’s daughters, who stay in a hostel and whom I had not met before,
read it in the newspaper too. Noticing the address given below the poem, she
came across a doubt that perhaps the ‘lady’ referred to could be her mother.
She rang her eldest sister, the one who had visited my home and told her about
it. The eldest daughter did not know my good name and in fact, none in their
family too, but she was quite sure that I could be the person who wrote the
poem. Later, she called me, enquired about it and felt highly delighted when I
told her the whole story about the composition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After
a couple of days, the old lady came to my residence again. She presented me a
gift and blessed me. Then, with a bright smile, she told me that my poem about
her would be scanned, framed and shall be kept as a showpiece in their living
room. But this was not the end. About a year later, when the marriage of their
eldest daughter was fixed, the lady’s husband and her son came to our house
with an invitation card. They invited me and my family to the wedding and
mentioned that we were the first family to be invited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.55pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
words of a poem created wonders. It was an amazement to see the power of words.
The love and appreciation showered by the family purely touched my heart. The
charming memories shall be cherished forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.55pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Published in 'Your Space’ of the e-journal ‘Muse India’ on 28 May 2013]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-71253357410754972332013-05-22T17:38:00.000+05:302018-05-26T14:23:58.149+05:30GURU PURNIMA - A DAY OF REVERENCE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.55pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Guru
Purnima is observed on the full moon day in the month of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ashadh</i> (June-July) every year. The birth anniversary of Maharishi
Ved Vyas, the author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mahabharata</i>,
is celebrated as Guru Purnima. The day is also known as Vyas Jayanti.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">guru</i> refers to perfection. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gu</i> signifies concealed and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ru</i> signifies revealed. Thus, a guru is
one who removes ignorance and paves way for enlightenment. Earnestly religious
people begin their day by chanting a prayer to their guru: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnuh Gurur Devo Maheswarah, Guruh Sakshat Param
Brahmah, Tasmai Sri Gurave Namah</i>. In other words, Guru is the creator,
preserver and also the destroyer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.55pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">India
stands with pride for the contributions made by the great gurus in the ancient
times. This is a day when we remember all the gurus who have worked for the
propagation of knowledge. Ved Vyas composed the great epic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mahabharata</i> which remains immortal till date. Valmiki composed the
epic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ramayana </i>which is read worldwide
even today. Vasistha was the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kulguru</i>
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raghuvansa</i> lineage where Sri Ram
was born. Vishwamitra initiated the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gayatri
Mantra</i>. Bharat did research in performing arts and made India unique.
Dhanvantari is known for his work in medical science. Patanjali made his
contribution in the field of yoga. Vatsyayana wrote <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kamasutra </i>which serves as a guide for a happy married life. Thus,
the gurus offered knowledge for the development of Indian culture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ved Vyas
also made efforts in preserving the great store of Vedic knowledge. At first,
when he doubted that the Vedas might get extinct, he protected them by
compilation and organised them into four parts. Secondly, he laid stress on
handing over the knowledge from one generation to the other. This was done by a
guru to his disciple and by a father to his son. Third, he allotted the various
branches of knowledge to several communities. The different branches were
Ayurveda (medicine including surgery), Sthapatya Veda (sculpture related to
metals, stones, mortars and wood), Gandharva Veda (vocal and instrumental
music, dance etc.) and Dhanur Veda (skills of military warfare). Lastly, he
composed Puranas so that the commoners could understand all about the Vedic
principles and sincerely follow them in their lives. Hence, due to all these
work of surviving knowledge and preserving the Vedas, the birth <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tithi</i> of Ved Vyas is celebrated as Guru
Purnima. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 14.55pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
Gurukul system of education came into being from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Guru-Shishya</i> tradition established by Ved Vyas. Sons of both kings
and common people lived together with their guru in his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ashram</i>. They served their guru and respected him as a deity. The
disciples learned not only what he taught but also learnt how to live with
humility and dignity. They glorified their guru, respected him and expressed
gratitude for being guided in life towards attaining the highest goal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">From time
immemorial, the guru was offered an exalted place in India. The kings stood up
from their thrones when the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kulguru</i>
entered the hall. He was always given a seat near the monarch. Our country is
gifted with sincere disciples and benevolent gurus. Chandra Gupta Maurya and
his guru Chanakya, Maharaj Shivaji and his guru Samartha Ramdas, Swami
Vivekananda and his guru Sri Ramakrishna etc. are some of the well-known
examples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Thus, on the day of Guru
Purnima, let us pay reverence to our gurus. Our accomplishments would be
worthless if we fail to remember them for their dedication towards moulding our
lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></i><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.55pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Published in 'Articles Base' on 20 May 2013]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-16446372863346657892013-05-09T17:31:00.000+05:302018-05-26T14:25:16.334+05:30CONTINUOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION - A BLESSING OR A BURDEN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Education in schools is
presently based on the concept known as ‘Continuous and Comprehensive
Evaluation'. This new scheme of evaluation was implemented with the vision of
assessing students throughout the academic session on a broad based process of
learning. Being comprehensive, the prospects seem bright as the students are
able to recognize their fields of interest and make decisions for the future in
regard to pursuing higher studies, choosing their course and shaping the
career. The scheme comes as a challenge to those students who excel in
academics alone and lag in co-curricular activities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Continuous and comprehensive
evaluation plays an important part in the teaching-learning process and to
raise the standard of performance in the schools. The new scheme provides scope
for the teachers to develop better teaching strategies and assess the students
through multiple techniques of evaluation. The scheme benefits the learners too
as they get motivated to improve their studying habits by discarding memorization
and laying emphasis on the co-scholastic areas. However, sufficient time would
definitely be needed for the scheme to be properly effective in schools
throughout the nation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">CCE was introduced in the CBSE
Board about a couple of years back. Schools having less infrastructural
expansion and resource availability are trying to make adequate changes for
reforming the evaluation system. Though the implementation is considered as a
blessing in some schools, it is referred to as a burden in some other educational
institutions. Apart from classroom teaching, importance is being given to the
students for their active participation in the co-curricular activities like
aesthetic and performing art, health and physical activities etc. for proper
functioning and efficiency of the scheme. Besides, progress of every student in
both scholastic and co-scholastic aspects are also recorded. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The objectives of CCE have to
be sincerely followed by the stakeholders for the success of the venture. The
evaluation process would appear challenging during the initial years but it
will truly live up to the expectations as education is not merely textbook
learning but development of the entire personality. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In my opinion, continuous and
comprehensive evaluation is a positive step in the process of assessment. I
like the scheme for several reasons. It helps in bringing out the inner
potential of every student besides excellence in academic learning, minimizes
stress caused by fear of Board examinations, decreases workload as the syllabus
of one term is not repeated in the next term and aids in developing life skills
to face situations in future. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The scheme turns out to be a
disadvantage to some meritorious students since there is no scope for
competition as marks are replaced by grades. Some students may not have a
liking as they are constantly being watched of their actions. They do not feel
at ease and remain tensed as grades are given for their attitude towards
teachers, school-mates, school and environment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is possible that CCE may
have to cope with some so far unseen challenges in future. It would all depend
upon the acceptance of the scheme by the students, parents and teachers.
Success would lie entirely upon the contentment of the stakeholders and only
then it would stand the test of time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Above all, feedback by students
passing out with flying colours, reactions of the parents whose children
achieved the desired goals and success of the teachers in imparting education
would define the ground of necessity of the evaluation scheme in the schools in
the near future. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>[Published in 'Articles Base'
on 7 May 2013]<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-2339250209071859272013-03-03T20:30:00.000+05:302018-05-26T14:27:42.667+05:30THE DISCOVERY OF OIL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Digboi is situated in the
north-eastern region of India and is famous for the discovery of oil during the
nineteenth century. It is a small town located in Tinsukia district of Assam
and still retains the ambience of the British. The place attracts visitors for
its scenic beauty, spacious bungalows, oldest refinery, National Oil Park, War
Cemetery, Digboi Club and the eighteen holes Golf Course.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">According to records, a group
of engineers from Assam Railways and Trading Company were extending the railway
track from Dibrugarh to Ledo in 1882. As there was no habitation around and the
area was covered by dense jungles, elephants were used for doing the work.
Accidently, they noticed that black mud smelling like oil stuck to their feet
and the legs of elephants. The startled men started to explore by tracing the
trail of footprints left behind and they discovered oil oozing on the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is said that the name of the place became
‘Digboi’ from the words “dig-boy-dig” which the Englishmen used when the
labourers were engaged in the task of digging crude oil. In September 1889, the
first oil well, locally known as ‘Well No. 1’ was dug and in 1899, Assam Oil
Company was formed. In the year 1901, the first refinery in Asia was set up at
Digboi. The oil field produced around seven thousand barrels per day during the
period of Second World War.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">At present, Digboi is the Headquarter of Assam
Oil Division of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The oil town stands with pride
with two features that are unique. First, for having more than a century old
oil producing oilfield and second, for having the oldest operating oil
refinery. The oilfield now houses an oil museum that displays the history of
the town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">[Published in the e-magazine ‘Fried Eye’ on 15 April 2012]</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-20781235060651988752013-03-02T06:00:00.000+05:302017-11-17T14:09:32.256+05:30OJAPALI - A PERFORMING ART FORM OF ASSAM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Assamese culture embraces
various performing arts and Ojapali is one among them. This is a traditional
art form and is considered to be one of the oldest. Though perceived in the
districts of Kamrup, Nalbari etc. in Lower Assam, it is but most popular in the
district of Darrang. Ojapali showcases a combined performance of narrative
singing, dancing gestures and dramatic dialogues. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Generally performed by a group
of five men, the name <em>Ojapali</em> comes from the words <em>oja</em> and <em>pali</em>. The lead
artiste is known as <em>Oja</em> and he is accompanied by assistant artistes known as
<em>Palis</em>. The chief among the Palis is the <em>Daina-pali</em> or the right-hand aide,
who makes the theme further interesting by his humorous dialogues. A small pair
of cymbals called the <em>Khutitaal</em> is the sole instrument used during the
performance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The performers of Ojapali
render two types of songs called <em>malanci geet</em> and <em>jagar</em>. The songs are sung
in Sanskrit. They also sing <em>Patsha Geet</em>, a type of mixed song, which was
composed during the Muslim reign. Besides singing, Oja, the chief performer,
maintains the rhythm with his feet. Simultaneously, he explains the theme with
suitable body movements and facial expressions. The costume worn by the performers
are white gowns with long sleeves. They also wear various jewelry and <em>nupur</em>
on their feet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ojapali can be categorized into
two major forms - Byah Ojapali and Sukananni Ojapali, based on their style of
performance. Byah Ojapali performers are also known as <em>Vyah-gowa</em> or singers
of Vyasa’s works, as they primarily focus on the great epics. On the other
hand, Sukananni Ojapali performers are known as <em>Maroi-gowa</em> or singers of
Maroi Puja. These performers sing songs of the snake-goddess Manasa Devi,
composed by Sukavi Narayana Dev, an ancient Assamese poet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ramayana and Mahabharata are
the dominant subjects of Byah Ojapali. The stories are sung in pure classical
style based on various ragas, with dancing movements made by hands and fingers
known as <em>mudras</em>. To entertain the crowd and make them understand, amusing
dialogues with explanations are presented during the performance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The heart-rending tale of
Behula and Lakhindar from the Padma Purana is presented by the performers of
Sukananni Ojapali. This art form is usually performed during Manasa Puja, to
worship the Deity of serpents. The entertainers start their performance by
singing songs in praise of several Gods and Goddesses before going on to the
story divided into three parts namely, Deva Khanda, Baniya Khanda and Bhatiyali
Khanda. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Another form of Ojapali known
as Ramayani Ojapali is gradually declining. In this art form, stories from the
Ramayana are presented. According to records in history, Barbyahu and
Sarubyahu, two talented artistes of the Koch kingdom, were summoned by the
kings time and again to sing numerous mythological verses and subsequently,
their style of performance became prevalent among the masses. However, some
other reports relate Ojapali to the pre-Vaishnavite period.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em>[Published in ‘North-East India’ on 16 March 2012]<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-66889612566977024332013-03-01T01:00:00.000+05:302013-03-01T16:28:39.631+05:30CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A huge expanse of land gets
submerged when a reservoir is created followed by the construction of a dam. So
it is very essential to demarcate the areas rich in biodiversity for protection
of the environment. Survival of the exotic and near extinct species which are
affected during the construction of a Project should be given due importance
for continuous existence of floral diversity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hence, a sincere mission was
carried out in Umrongso with the purpose of conserving the diverse plant
species and flora of the region. A Botanical Garden was set up with the primary
aim of conservation, prompt multiplication, rehabilitation of the plant
species, extending awareness about the floral heritage and promoting education.
Rare and endangered plants were collected from the impact areas and were
introduced in a Nursery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Garden spreads over a large
area and various plant species have been planted for preservation. It has
several sections like wild edibles, ferns, medicinal plants, palms and cycads,
rare and endangered species, wild plants of horticultural importance, plants of
economic importance etc. The garden is enriched by the rare pitcher plant and
with different varieties of orchids. To move around and have close access to
each plant and every section, a pathway crisscrossing the total length and
breadth of the garden has been laid out. A small lake in the centre with a
bridge over it adds to the beauty of the garden. Blooming water lilies and
ducks wading in the water present a beautiful sight to the visitors. Rare birds
are noticed during the migratory season. For the pollination of plants,
beehives are maintained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Nursery has a green shade
net-house for hatching various plant species. Vegetative propagation of plants
is carried out throughout the year and later the seedlings are transferred to
small poly-bags. Different species of trees like <em>Neem</em> (medicinal plant),
<em>Silikha, Krishnachura, Kanchan, Chandan, Sonaru,</em> Teak (<em>Sagoon</em>) etc. are
available in the Nursery and plantation labels are marked on them. The plant
saplings are then distributed around for planting them in different areas as
massive plantation is a major step towards protection of the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></i><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Published in ‘Articles Base’ on 14 February
2012]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-6683930815074500142013-02-27T23:30:00.000+05:302013-03-03T07:28:35.898+05:30BIR CHILARAI - THE GREAT GENERAL OF ASSAM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bir Chilarai (1510 - 1571 AD) was a
great general who belonged to the Koch royal dynasty of Assam. By his valour,
he played a significant role in expanding the empire of his elder brother,
Maharaja Nara Narayan.<br />
<br />
The Koch dynasty set up their kingdom in the western part of Assam after the
fall of Khen dynasty in 1498 AD and Chandan was crowned king of Kamata kingdom.
Maharaja Chandan ruled for thirteen years but as he had no sons, after his
death Viswa Singha was enthroned.<br />
<br />
The reign of Maharaja Viswa Singha marked a glorious episode in the history of
Assam as he was the founder ruler of the Koch royal dynasty, who newly
established his kingdom in 1515 AD. He had many sons but only four of them were
remarkable. Shukladhwaj, later known as Bir Chilarai, was his third son.<br />
<br />
Born on a full moon day, Shukladhwaj had a fair complexion and hence he was
called by that name. He along with his brothers learnt warfare and they all
mastered the art very well. For achieving higher education, he and his elder
brother Malla Dev went to Varanasi. They learnt various subjects and acquired
knowledge in Sanskrit, Grammar, Literature, Law, Astrology etc.<br />
<br />
After the death of Maharaja Viswa Singha, his son Malla Dev ascended the
throne. He was better known as Maharaja Nara Narayan. Shukladhwaj was appointed
army commander and he assisted his brother in extending the kingdom. A brave
warrior and an exceptional general, Shukladhwaj was extremely quick in his
actions. He came to be known as 'Chilarai' as he was swift like the bird chila
or the kite in capturing the foes.<br />
<br />
In 1562 AD, an intense battle took place when Nara Narayan crossed River
Brahmaputra and attacked the Ahom kingdom. Chilarai commanded his soldiers to
fight both on land and through water. The defeated king finally fled with his
army and Nara Narayan achieved victory. Later, a truce followed between them.<br />
<br />
In 1568 AD, another battle ensued when Nara Narayan attacked Gour, ruled by
Soleman Karnani. But this time he had to face defeat as Kalapahar, the army
commander captured Chilarai. Kalapahar with his soldiers then destroyed many
temples including Kamakhya while he proceeded towards Tezpur.<br />
<br />
Nara Narayan defeated the king of Cachar and brought his kingdom under his
rule. The king of Manipur surrendered as he decided not to combat with such a
powerful ruler. Chilarai then attacked the states of Jayantia, Tripura and
Sylhet. He defeated the kings in the battles and killed them. Observing the
condition of the neighbouring states, the rulers of Khairam and Dimoriya
submitted their petty states. Thus with the help of Chilarai's heroism,
Maharaja Nara Narayan extended his vast empire and earned revenues from several
rulers.<br />
<br />
Nara Narayan attacked Gour for the second time when Akbar, the Mughal emperor
sought help from him. They had an alliance with Sisya Singha Raikat and Debraj,
the king of Bhutan while invading Gour. Chilarai captured Ghoraghat and seized
the whole area of Gour. After defeating King Gourpasha, the kingdom was shared
between Nara Narayan and Akbar.<br />
<br />
During the second invasion of Gour, Chilarai breathed his last on the banks of
River Ganga as he suffered from pox. After his death, battles subsided. It was
the courageous deeds of Chilarai that led the Koch kingdom reach the zenith.<br />
<br />
Later, Nara Narayan divided his kingdom into two parts namely, Koch Bihar and
Koch Hajo. He kept Koch Bihar, the western part under his authority while Koch
Hajo, the eastern part was given to Raghudev, the son of chilarai.<br />
<br />
The birth anniversary of the great hero is celebrated every year as Bir
Chilarai Divas. From the year 2005, the government of Assam has been conferring
Bir Chilarai Award, the highest honour for bravery to individuals. The gallant
accomplishments of Bir Chilarai in the regime of Maharaja Nara Narayan shall be
remembered forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Published in ‘North-East India’ on 9 February 2012]</span></span></i></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-30145087736441418362013-02-27T04:30:00.000+05:302013-03-03T07:27:38.238+05:30BIR TIKENDRAJIT SINGH - THE TRUE PATRIOT OF MANIPUR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bir Tikendrajit Singh was a great patriot and a prince from Manipur, a
state in the north-eastern region of India, who laid down his life during
India's struggle for Independence. He was called the 'Lion of Manipur' as he
fearlessly fought against the British.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tikendrajit Singh was born as the fourth son to Maharaja Chandrakriti
Singh and Chongtham Chanu Kouseswari Devi on December 29, 1856. Koireng, as he
was popularly known as, loved freedom since his childhood. After the Maharaja's
death on May 20, 1886, the eldest son of the royal family Surchandra Singh
ascended the throne of Manipur. The princes were appointed as heir-apparent,
army general and police chief. Later on, Tikendrajit became 'Senapati', the
general of Manipur army.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tension began to develop gradually as some misunderstandings crept up
among the princes and finally the royal family split up into two factions, one
led by Tikendrajit himself and the other by Pakasana. The king remained unaware
about the situation and chaos increased to a great extent. According to
Tikendrajit, the king was in favour of Pakasana. He disliked the British
attitude towards the local rulers as they expanded their empire by usurpation.
So he thought of a plan and made efforts to protect the sovereignty of the
state. He was also aware of the fact that the Britishers waited for an
opportunity to change Manipur to a colony of their own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On September 22, 1890, Tikendrajit along with two other princes Angousan
and Jilangamba, revolted against Surchandra Singh and overthrew him. The
monarch fled from the palace and took refuge in the residence of the British.
Then Kullachandra ascended the throne and Tikendrajit became 'Jubaraj', the
heir-apparent. This incident is known as 'Palace Revolt' in Manipur history.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later, the former ruler Surchandra Singh, left for Calcutta but informed
Tikendrajit that he was on his way to Vrindavan. After reaching Calcutta, he
sent a petition to the Government for restoring his throne in Manipur. The
matter was taken into consideration and British Viceroy of India Lord
Landsdowne then took a decision to retain Kullachandra as the king but remove
Tikendrajit from Manipur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On March 22, 1891, Chief Commissioner J.W. Quinton reached Manipur with
a troop of soldiers. A secret plan was arranged to arrest Tikendrajit but the
secret got leaked and the plan failed. Grimwood, the political agent then asked
the king to hand over Tikendrajit to him. King Kullachandra refused and so the
British used force to arrest Tikendrajit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two days later, in the evening of March 24, the British troops attacked
the residence of Tikendrajit in Palace Compound and killed many civilians,
women and children who were watching a programme on Ras Lila. The Manipuri
soldiers fought back and succeeded in their offensive struggle. Five British
officers, Quinton and Grimwood among them, had to flee to seek shelter.
Feelings of revenge arose among the people whose family and relatives had been
killed and thus they executed all the five officers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On March 31, the Anglo-Manipur War took place as the British Government
announced war on Manipur. Three columns of the army, namely, Kohima commanded
by Major General H. Collet, Silchar commanded by Colonel R. H. F. Rennick and
Tamu commanded by Brigadier General T. Graham were sent to Manipur while the
Manipuri army was led by Tikendrajit himself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On April 27, the Kangla Palace was taken over by the British and Major
Maxwell became the chief political agent. Later, Churachand Singh, a minor was
given the throne as Manipur turned into a princely state, while Tikendrajit
along with some other leaders went underground.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The British Indian Government constituted a special court formed under
Lieutenant Colonel John Mitchell for the trials and the court commenced on May
11. Tikendrajit, Kullachandra and Thangal General were found guilty and were
sentenced to death. Some efforts were made by Queen Victoria to save
Tikendrajit but remained unsuccessful as the Governor General confirmed the death
sentences of Tikendrajit and Thangal General. A protest movement was also
launched but failed. Kullachandra, however, made an appeal to the Government
and his sentence was thus converted into transportation of life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On August 13, 1891, the order was announced and at 5 pm in the evening,
both Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hanged before the general public at
Polo Ground in Imphal. This place was later named as Bir Tikendrajit Park and
to remember his heroic deeds, Manipur celebrates the day as Patriot's Day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bir Tikendrajit was a true nationalist and he will always be remembered
for his courage and patriotism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Published
in 'North-East India' on 12 January 2012]</span></span></i></div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-25606202144160932222013-02-26T07:00:00.000+05:302018-05-26T15:01:02.034+05:30DR MAMONI RAISOM GOSWAMI, THE JNANPITH WINNER BIDS ADIEU<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami is a distinguished name in the world of
literature. In the year 2000, she was honoured with 'Jnanpith', the highest
literary award in India, for her immense contributions. She was an eminent
writer, a prolific author, a Ramayani scholar, an editor and former Professor
of Delhi University.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Born to Umakanta Goswami and Ambika Devi on 14 November 1942 in Guwahati,
she was named Indira by her father in memory of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. She was
lovingly called Mamoni by her mother. Mamoni Raisom Goswami is her pen name by
which she preferred to write.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Indira Goswami studied in Pine Mount School, Shillong in the early years
and matriculated from Tarini Charan Girls' High School, Guwahati. Her first
collection of stories</span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Chinaki Morom</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> was published when she was
thirteen years of age. She graduated in Assamese Literature from Cotton
College, Guwahati and obtained her postgraduate degree from Gauhati University.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">She met Madhaven Raisom Iyengar, an engineer from Karnataka, who was
then working on the construction of Saraighat Bridge over the River Brahmaputra
in Guwahati. After getting married, they moved to Gujarat and later to Jammu
and Kashmir where Iyengar was posted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But unfortunately, just after eighteen months of marriage, Madhaven
Raisom Iyengar lost his life in a car accident in Kashmir. They had no
children. After the premature death of her husband, Indira Goswami suffered
from acute depression, got addicted to heavy doses of sleeping pills and even
made attempts to end up her life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">At this stage, she devoted her time to writing and wrote only to live.
Her sufferings and struggles in life are conveyed in her book </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">An
Unfinished Autobiography </span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">written in the style of a novel. It is prescribed as a text-book by the
universities in Maharashtra.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Indira Goswami first started her career as a teacher at Sainik School,
Goalpara in Assam. Her teacher Upendra Chandra Lekharu persuaded her to pursue
research work for peace of mind. According to his advice, she went to Vrindavan
in Uttar Pradesh and involved herself in the studies of Ramayani Literature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">She worked on her PhD thesis on the topic, a comparative analysis of </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Ramcharitmanas
</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">by
Tulsidas and </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Kotha Ramayan </span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">by Madhav Kandali. Later, her
treatise was published as a book, </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Ramayana from Ganga to
Brahmaputra</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">, for which she was honoured with 'International Tulsi Award' from
Florida University.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dr Goswami joined the Modern Indian Language Department of Delhi
University and her magnificent phase in life started. She penned most of her
works during this period and her books written in Assamese were later
translated into English. She went on to become the Head of the Assamese
Department and after retirement, she was honoured as Professor Emeritus by the
University.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">The first novel penned by Mamoni Raisom Goswami was </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">The
Chenab's Current, </span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">which she started writing in 1964 and was published as a book in 1972.
The story of the novel was based on her experience while she was in Kashmir
with her husband. Her experiences in life are also reflected in her novels </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Blue
Necked Braja</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> and </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Ahiran</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">In 1982, Dr Goswami received the 'Sahitya Akademi Award' for her novel </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Rusted
Sword</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">. Her
novel </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Moth Eaten Howdah of a Tusker</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> was later made into a film
named </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Adajya</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> which received much acclaim
and awards. Her famous novels were </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Dasarathi's Steps, The Man from
Chinnamasta, Pages Stained with Blood, Udaybhanu</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Several short stories were written by the acclaimed author and some of
them were </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Journey, The Offspring, To Break
a Begging Bowl, Beasts, Parasu's Well, Dwarka and His Gun, Sanskar, </span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">etc. </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Pain and
Flesh</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> is her
poetry collection which includes her well-known poem </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Pakistan.
Mahiyashi Kamala</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> is her biography on Dr Kamala Ratnam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">She translated many books such as </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Premchandor Chuti Galpa, Jatak
Katha Aru Kalam</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> and </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Adhaghanta Samay.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Her other works include </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Bronze
Sword of Thengphakhri Tehsildar, Shadow of the Dark God, The Budha Sea, Hazy
Geishas and Mohammad Mucha</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dr Goswami received numerous awards in her lifetime for her literary
contributions. She was honoured with 'Jnanpith Award', 'International Tulsi
Award', 'Sahitya Akademi Award', 'Bharat Nirman Award', 'Katha Rashtriya
Puraskar', 'Kamal Kumari Foundation National Award', ''Asom Sahitya Sabha
Award', 'Krishnakanta Handique Award' and 'Mahiyashi Jaymati Award' with a
citation in gold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">She also received literary awards from several states of India. She was
honoured with D Litt Degree from three universities namely, Indira Gandhi
National Open University, Rabindra Bharati University of West Bengal and Rajiv
Gandhi University of Arunachal Pradesh. She was a recipient of 'Sauhardya
Award' from Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Besides, she was conferred 'Principal Prince Claus Laureate' from
Netherlands, 'Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar Gold Plate' from Asiatic Society and
'Ambassador for Peace' from Inter Religious and International Federation for
World Peace. But she refused 'Padmashri' awarded to her in 2002. A film named </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Words from
the mist</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"> was made
on her life by the national award winning film-maker Jahnu Baruah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Mamoni </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">Baideo</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;">, as she was popularly known
as, played the role of a mediator between the United Liberation Front of Assam
and the Indian Government. She took the initiative of bringing the banned
militant group for negotiation of peace talks. Her efforts laid to the
formation of the People's Consultative Group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The noted litterateur passed away on 29 November 2011 at the age of 69
years. She suffered a stroke in the month of February last year and was taken
to New Delhi for treatment. Later in July, she was brought back to Assam and
was treated at Guwahati Medical College Hospital. There she breathed her last
following a cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Jnanpith winner was bid farewell by thousands of mourners at the
crematorium. A gun salute of twenty-one shots was fired in the air as a mark of
respect. Her niece lit the funeral pyre and her mortal remains were consigned
to flames. She was laid to rest with full state honours and her last rites were
performed with Vedic rituals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami was appreciated and respected by all not only
for her literary talents but for being a great humanist as well. She shall be
remembered forever for her celebrated works and also for her charming
personality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Published
in January 2012 issue of ‘Indian Ruminations’, a journal of Indian English Writers]</span></span></i></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-13529014288864313682013-02-25T00:30:00.000+05:302013-03-03T07:24:29.603+05:30THE NEW SCHEME OF EVALUATION THAT CAN BE A BOON<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According
to Swami Vivekananda, education system in the schools should be based on 'Man
Making - Nation Building'. But in a long established system set up by the
Central Board of Secondary Education, it could be observed that students of
Class X were assessed only in academics through an external examination that
was conducted at the end of the academic session in the month of March. To
bring about a quality change in the pattern, a new scheme of assessment known
as 'Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation' was introduced in 2009 with the
initiative of assessing students on various aspects of development like
intellectual, emotional, social, cultural, physical, along with the course of
subjects, during the entire session and not when the academic year ended.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The term
'continuous' refers to the process of assessment that includes both formative
and summative, carried out regularly throughout the academic session. The term
'comprehensive' refers to the process of assessment in the scholastic and
co-scholastic areas, which covers an all-around development of the students.
The 'evaluation' process is divided into three parts and each part is further
divided into two parts. Part One A comprises the scholastic areas (Languages I
and II, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Additional Optional Subject)
whereas Part One B comprises work experience, art education and physical &
health education. In Part Two, the co-scholastic areas are divided into two
groups, the former consisting of the life skills (thinking, social, emotional)
and the latter consisting of attitudes (towards teachers, school-mates, school
programmes, environment) and values. Part Three deals with co-scholastic
activities and the students are given the choice to select two activities from
the first group and another two from the second group. Group A includes
Literary & Creative Skills, Scientific Skills, Aesthetic & Performing
Art, Organizational & Leadership Skills (Clubs) while group B includes
Health & Physical Activities (Sports, NCC/NSS, Scouting & Guiding,
Swimming, Gymnastics, Yoga, First Aid, Gardening/Shramdaan).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
Scholastic Areas are purely academic and consist of subjects given in the
curriculum. Two Formative Assessments and one Summative Assessment are
conducted in a term twice a year. In the Formative Assessments, the students
are monitored by the teachers regarding assignments, oral questions,
conversation skills, quizzes, projects and research work carried out in a
group. In the Summative Assessment, the students are assessed by a set of
questions to be answered in short, long and one correct reply among multiple
choices, in a written examination conducted at the end of the term and grades
to be awarded instead of marks. On the other hand, the Co-scholastic Areas
include diverse skills, attitudes, value system, co-curricular activities and
health. The students are assessed according to their ability and progress in
creative and critical thinking, self-awareness, problem solving, decision
making, interpersonal relationships, effective communication, empathy, dealing
with stress, managing emotions, creative and literary activities, aesthetic
activities, scientific activities, Eco club activities, health and wellness
clubs etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The new
system was introduced with the aim at bringing out the inner potential of every
student besides excellence in academic learning. It might also help in
recognizing the fields of interest and strengthening the areas where the
students lacked. Moreover, with the introduction of grades, there would be less
scope for competition, comparison and criticism. Instead of competing with
others and comparing the marks obtained, the students shall learn to compete
with their own selves for improvement and better achievement. Besides, the
students will also be able to get rid of frustration caused by criticism on
acquiring poor marks. Above all, it could be hoped that the scheme would enable
students to face challenges, build up confidence and develop personality traits
to achieve their goals desired in life. However, success or failure of the
ambitious format would all depend upon its acceptance by students, teachers and
parents in the years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[Published in 'Articles Base' </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">on 3
December 2011]</span></span></i></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-13624921932845819702013-02-24T04:30:00.000+05:302013-03-03T07:22:56.483+05:30DR BHUPEN HAZARIKA - FILMOGRAPHY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1939 -</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Indramalati</span></em></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
(Assamese) - singer, actor (child artist)<br />
<br />
1948 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Siraj</span></em>
(Assamese) - joint assistant music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1949 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Parghat</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1950 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Biplabi</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1954 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sati
Beula</span></em> (Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1955 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Piyali
Phukan</span></em> (Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1956 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Era
Bator Sur</span></em> (Assamese) - director, producer, music director,
lyricist, singer, story, (screenplay and dialogues jointly done with Priyam
Hazarika)<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Asamapta</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<br />
1957 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dhumuha</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jiban Trishna</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kadi O Komol</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<br />
1958 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jonakir
Alo</span></em> (Bengali) - music director<br />
<br />
1959 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kesha
Sone</span></em> (Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Puati Nishar Sopon</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chaknoia</span></em>
(Assamese) - singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mahut Bandhure</span></em>
(Bengali) - director, music director<br />
<br />
1960 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dui
Bechera</span></em> (Bengali) - music director<br />
<br />
1961 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sakuntala</span></em>
(Assamese) - director, producer, music director, art director, screenplay
writer, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1964 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Maniram
Dewan</span></em> (Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1965 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Protiddhoni</span></em>
(Assamese) - director, producer, music director, screenplay writer, lyricist,
singer<br />
<br />
1966 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Latighati</span></em>
(Assamese) - director, producer, music director (a Rajasthani folk used),
screenplay writer, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1969 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chikmik
Bijuli</span></em> (Assamese) - director, music director, screenplay writer,
lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1971 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ekhane
Pinjar</span></em> (Bengali) - music director<br />
<br />
1973 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Banaria
Phool</span></em> (Assamese) - lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rashmirekha</span></em>
(Assamese) - singer<br />
<br />
1974 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aarop</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
1975 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Khoj</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bristi</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kachghar</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chameli Memsaab</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1976 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Palasar
Rong</span></em> (Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pranganga</span></em>
(Assamese) - singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dampati</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<br />
1977 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Banahansha</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dharmakai</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mera Dharam Meri
Maa</span></em> (Hindi) - director, music director<br />
<br />
1978 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bonjui</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Niyati</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Simana Perie</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<br />
1979 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mon
Prajapati</span></em> (Assamese) - director, music director, screenplay writer,
lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bishesh Erati</span></em>
(Assamese) - singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Srimati
Mahimamoyee</span></em> (Assamese) - singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chameli Memsaab</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sath Maia Ki
Mahima</span></em> (Bhojpuri) - music director<br />
<br />
1980 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Akon</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moinajaan</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist<br />
<br />
1981 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chameli
Memsaab</span></em> (Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
1982 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Aparoopa</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1984 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jeevan
Surabhi</span></em> (Assamese) - singer<br />
<br />
1985 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Angikar</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bohagor Duparia</span></em>
(Assamese) - singer<br />
<br />
1986 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Juge
Juge Sangram</span></em> (Assamese) - music director, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Maa</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sankalpa</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mayuri</span></em>
(Assamese) - lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ek Pal</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
1987 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pratishudh</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jiuni Simang</span></em>
(Bodo) - music director<br />
<br />
1988 -<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Siraj</span></em>
(Assamese) - director, music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<br />
1990 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Miri
Jiyori</span></em> (for Doordarshan) - director, music director<br />
<br />
1992 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Agni</span></em>
(Assamese) - singer<br />
<br />
1993 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Priyajan</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rudaali</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director, singer<br />
<br />
1994 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ashanta
Prahar</span></em> (Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Agnigarh</span></em>
(Assamese) - singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gajamukta</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Papiha</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
1995 -<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Paani</span></em>
(Assamese) - music director, lyricist, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pratimurti</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
1996 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Supan</span></em>
(Bengali) - music director<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saaz</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
1997 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Darmiya</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
1998 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mil
Gayee Manjil Mujhe</span></em> (Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
2000 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gaja
Gamini</span></em> (Hindi) - music director, singer<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Daman</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
2001 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sesh
Upahar</span></em> (Assamese) - lyricist<br />
<br />
2003 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kyun</span></em>
(Hindi) - music director<br />
<br />
2011 - <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gandhi
to Hitler</span></em> (Multilingual) - singer<br />
<br />
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Published in </span></em></span></span><em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">'North-East India' on 15 November
2011]</span></em><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
</div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-42720219711512724952013-02-23T01:30:00.000+05:302013-02-22T12:35:52.463+05:30REMEMBERING AN ILLUSTRIOUS SCHOLAR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr Maheswar Neog was an illustrious scholar and he dedicated his life
towards enrichment of Assamese culture. A versatile genius, his work covered
most of the branches of Indian studies - literature, language, philosophy,
religion, history, historiography, hagiography, orthography, lexicography,
ethnography, epigraphy, folklore, music, dance, drama, fine arts, paintings,
architecture and sculpture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr Neog was born in Kamarphadiya village, situated on the bank of Dikhow
River in Sibsagar, on September 7, 1915. His first teacher was his father, who
however, did not have a formal education. Dimbeswar Neog, the distinguished
scholar was his elder brother and he received much guidance from him to hone
his skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">From a tender age Maheswar Neog displayed his brilliance and he composed
his first poem while he was a student of Class III. He was rewarded every year
for his splendid performance and the Inspector of Schools noticed his
proficiency. He wrote an article on Assamese marriage songs when he was a
graduate and it got published in </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">The Indian Review</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">, the research journal in 1939.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">An intelligent student of Modern Indian Languages, Neog secured first
class first in MA from Calcutta University. His PhD thesis was </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Sankaradeva
and His Times: Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Assam</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> and his research received
great commendations from both India and abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr Neog first started his career as a school teacher. On December 1,
1948, he joined Gauhati University as the founder teacher in the Post-graduate
Department of Assamese.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr Neog's efforts along with Madhav Chandra Bezbarua, Gopinath Bordoloi
and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed towards the development of the University were
immense. He joined the trust board and contributed much in both academic and
administrative fields. Hence, he was rightly considered as one of the
architects of the University. In 1978, he retired from Gauhati University as
Jawaharlal Nehru Professor and then served Punjabi University, Patiala as Saint
Sankaradeva Professor till 1983.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Placing Sattriya dance at par with Indian Indian classical dances,
namely Bharat Natyam, Kathak, Kathakali and Manipuri etc. was one of the great
contributions of Dr Neog. In National Dance Seminar organized by Sangeet Natak
Akademi at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi in 1958, Dr Neog exposed Sattriya dance of
Assam for the first time on a national level. Sattriya and Ojapali, both the
dances were presented before the connoisseur, performed by late Maniram Dutta
Muktiyar of Kamalabari Satra and Lalit Chandra Nath of Mangaldai and group.
During the display, Dr Neog explained the dance forms with complete details and
referred to the records in history about the dances in ancient Kamrup. There
was huge applause from the audience as his talk and the demonstration was
widely appreciated. Later, an expert committee was formed and being one of its
members, he strongly placed the view that Sattriya dance of Assam should be
recognized as a classical dance of India. In 1995, Sangeet Natak Akademi
bestowed on him 'Elected Fellow', the prestigious award, in recognition to his
excellent contribution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Well known as a biographer, Dr Neog penned his first biographical work </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Sri Sri
Sankaradeva</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> in 1948. </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Jivanar Digh Aru Vani</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> was his voluminous
autobiographical work. He was also a creative writer and published five volumes
of poetry in Assamese including </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Under One Sky</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> in English. Besides, he wrote
short plays in Assamese, essays and other prose pieces. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Dr Neog was a multilingual scholar and he published more than hundred
books in Assamese, English and Sanskrit. He dealt on a wide variety of subjects
and contributed around five hundred articles and research papers to various
periodicals and journals. Some of his remarkable research works were </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Asamiya
Sahityar Ruprekha, Guru-Charit-Katha, Prachya-Sasanavali, Arunodai, Religions
of the North-East, Tradition and Style, The Art of Painting in Assam</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">, etc. Moreover, he edited many
ancient and medieval texts in Sanskrit and Assamese. Editing the old treatise
on dance, </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Sri Hasta-muktavali</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> by Subhankara was a notable
contribution of Dr Neog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">A great exponent of the Bhakti movement in Assam, Dr Neog brought forth
various aspects of Neo-Vaishnavism in his literary work. His contributions
towards Sankaradeva studies were </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Swararekhat Bargeet</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> (1958), </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Rhythm in
the Vaishnava Music of Assam</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> (1962), </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">Sattriya
Dance and Their Rhythms</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> (1973), </span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">The Bhakti-ratnakara of Sankaradeva,
History of the Concept of Bhakti,</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr Neog also presented papers and delivered academic discourses in
several occasions. Some major events were Technical Sciences and Fine Arts
Section of All India Oriental Conference, Indian School of Drama and Asian
Theatre Centre, History and Culture Section of International Congress of Orientalists,
Manipur State Kala Akademi, etc. In 1970, he was deputed by the Indian
Government as a representative of Indo-Foreign Cultural Exchange Programme to
visit the East European countries of Hungary, Romania etc. He went on a lecture
tour for fifty days acting as a member of the Indian National Commission for
co-operating with UNESCO.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr Neog was an active member of Asam Sahitya Sabha. He served the
organization as general secretary, vice-president and later as president in
1974. His long-drawn efforts led to the construction of the Sabha's two-storied
Bhagavatiprasad Barua Bhavan in Guwahati.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On September 13, 1995, Dr Neog breathed his last. His passing away was a
great loss to the state as his vision was to uplift the glory of Assam and
enrich the cultural heritage. An erudite scholar, he worked with great
dedication and devotion due to his love towards his motherland. He shall always
be remembered for his untiring efforts and immense contributions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">[Published in 'melange', the Sunday supplement of 'The Sentinel' on 18
September 2011]</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-45514317929864527002013-02-21T22:30:00.000+05:302013-03-03T07:21:10.861+05:30SUICIDAL BIRDS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jatinga lies in the foothills of Barail Range and is about 330 kilometres from Guwahati. It is a beautiful place situated nine kilometres east of Haflong, the lone hill-station of Assam in Dima Hasao district. This hamlet is known worldwide for the mysterious phenomenon of birds committing annual mass suicide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">History of Jatinga mystery asserts that Zeme Nagas were the first inhabitants of Jatinga in 1890 and they were the first people to witness the bizarre mystery. At night when they lit camp fires, migratory birds got attracted and they came flying down towards the fire. This act of the birds frightened the villagers and they considered the birds to be evil spirits descending from the sky. Gradually they abandoned the place and moved away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next inhabitants of Jatinga were the Jaintia who settled down in 1905 and they too witnessed the rare behaviour of the birds. History reports say that Lakhanbang Suchiang, the leader of the group first noticed the mystery as lighted bamboo torches were used at night to search for and gather the strayed cattle. The flying birds getting attracted towards light swooped downwards and accepted death. These villagers whereas didn't get scared and instead they regarded the acts of the birds as gifts from God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But investigations deny the fact that birds committed mass suicide. According to revelations, they were trapped by artificial lights on dark foggy moonless nights. When the birds flew down seeing light sources, the villagers used catapults to hit them. The hovering birds were also brought down by forceful swinging of bamboo poles. Finally, they fell prey in the hands of the villagers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Famous ornithologists namely, Dr. Sudhin Sengupta, Dr. Salim Ali and A. Rauf have done researches on this subject. However, steps have been taken by conservation groups to prevent killing of the harmless birds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jatinga still remains a mystery till date but research is ongoing for finding answers to this bizarre phenomenon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;">[Published in the magazine 'The Hudaang' in August 2011 issue]</span></i></span></div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080175781693198089.post-38340298664528004352013-02-21T06:00:00.000+05:302017-11-17T14:12:50.886+05:30A WINNING STREAK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Topic: "What has contributed to the success of the Congress Party in the recent Assembly elections in Assam?"</strong><br />
<br />
The Congress Party came to power again for the third consecutive term. One of the reasons may be because the Opposition parties failed to unite and gain confidence from the masses. To win in an election, unity among members, well-planned agendas, clear vision for development, strategies to conduct campaigns, etc., are utmost essential, but it has been observed that instead of focussing on abilities, rectifying their follies after two defeats and acquiring trust from the public, the parties tried to dethrone the ruling party by making allegations. Moreover, endeavours for consolidating their positions at the grassroots were also needed. AGP, which had ruled twice before, faced defeat perhaps due to dearth of able leadership and disharmony among themselves. On the other hand, negotiation for peace talks helped Congress to some extent in springing back to power. Besides, being in power for a decade also helped the ruling party in winning seats.</div>
<br />
<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>[Published in the column 'People Speak' in 'Sunday Reading', the Sunday supplement of 'The Assam Tribune' on 5 June 2011]</em></div>
Geetima Baruah Sarmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984067582726283456noreply@blogger.com0