The legacy of Assam’s culture would be a lot less enriching if we overlook the contribution of the legendary Shri Jyotiprashad Agarwalla. Similarly there are many other non Assamese in Assam who are more Assamese than many Assamese themselves.Assam is not by the Assamese alone but it is a conglomeration of various communities, tribes, sects etc. It’s a melting pot of many cultures.. Assam’s present status its economy would not be what it is without the contribution of the entire society irrespective of what language they speak and which community they belong to. Therefore the recent spate of killings of non Assamese people comes as a shock to every Assamese and saddens him immensely. Assam has always embraced everyone with open arms and absorbed various cultures in its folds. Hence the targeting of a particular community by militant groups has forced people to hang their head in shame. Assam is a land of tolerance and laid back elegance where the people are known for their hospitality and straight forward demeanor. The repeated attacks on Bihari laborers or the non Assamese community is an ugly scar that is to taint Assam’s reputation for years to come.At the same time the people should be prepared that the Assamese too may be targeted in a similar fashion in other parts of the country as repercussion if such a trend continues. Assam is very much a part of India as any other state hence before being anybody else we are Indians first and an Assamese, or Bengali, or Bihari later as is the case in all parts of the nation. We seem to have forgotten the broader sense of the term Assamese, for anybody that has made Assam his or her home is an Assamese just as anyone that stays in Delhi is a Delhiite and so on. The non Assamese community in Assam has made tremendous contribution to the state’s economy as most of the trade and commerce is controlled by them. Be it in the field of food grain, textile, cement etc. They have also paved the way for many youths to establish their own employment avenues. The recent repeated blasts in the fancy bazaar area targeting the non Assamese business community is a conspiracy to segregate them from the community and creating suspicion and terror in their minds by people with vested interests. This is a time for the people to unite and deter these forces from unsettling our peaceful settlement and create cracks in it.If we go back into the pages of History then we would realize that originally many Assamese trace their lineage to the ancient Aryans who had infiltrated India way before the Mughals befriended us. Therefore originally our ancestors came from parts of Central Asia, which proves that we are not Assamese either!Non Assamese people of Assam are an intrinsic part of our social fabric. As most of the daily wage laborers, rickshaw pullers, washer men, etc are non Assamese. Therefore the senseless killing, bombings of innocent people cannot be the solution of any problem but a ceasefire and amicable talks can be.
Assam Times recommends its contributors/citizen journalists the following resources:
BBC News Styleguide
Avoid clichés and improve your journalism with this PDF version of the BBC News Styleguide. The Guide gives practical suggestions on many aspects of journalism style, including abbreviations, clichés, reported speech - and how to avoid irritating your editor. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsstyleguide
The BBC Editorial Guidelines
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They are designed for everyone who makes content for the BBC, to help them deal with difficult editorial...
In a bizarre incident on the new year’s day, a woman and her two children were hacked to death allegedly by her teenaged stepson on Tuesday in Koliabar of Nagaon district. Identified as Mohamad Ali hacked to death his step mother a sharp weapon after an argument at Kunduli village. He then attacked her minor daughter and son killing them on the spot. According to the neighbour, Mohamad and his step mother would often fight after his father married her and shifted to another house following the death of his mother. The deceased have been identified as Phulbano Khatun, Nazia Khatun and Rabiul Hussain. Ali was absconding.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said that Maoists is a big menace and that measures are on to tackle it. Talking to reporters in Guwahati, Gogoi said that militancy was on the wane but Maoists are causing a big problem. He said that the matter had been taken up with the Centre which was convinced of the seriousness of the threat.
A Mass Jogging program was held on December 31, 2012 under the auspices of Assam Jogging Association (AJA) to welcome the New Year 2013. Mahadeb Deka noted body builder of international fame has flagged off the march at 6-45 AM from Janata Bhawan Play Ground, Dispur, Guwahati. The m march return from Zoo Road Tiniali and completed 7 kilometer round. A meeting was held after the Mass Jogging at the Janata Bhawan Play ground which was presided over by the President of the Association Geetartha Pathak.The Association felicitated Mahdeb Deka. Deka appealed to the younger generation to be fit by doing physical exercise and jogging. Deka also asked them not to resort to the extravaganza in the...
A 24 year old youth had a narrow escape when his vehicle caught fire at Demow in Sivasagar district on Monday.The incident took place early in the morning when his dumper touched a high voltage electric wire. The driver managed to escape death but he was injured. He was rushed to the hospital.
A free fealth check-up and awareness camp was held December 30 at Parijat Academy, Pamohi, Guwahati. A team of about ten doctors comprising Dr Amiya Kumar Sarma, Heart Specialist and CMO of Guwahati Refinery Hospital, Dr Khaklary, Adnl Medical Officer of Guwahati Refinery and about ten Paramedical staff attended the camp. The camp helped the local people by providing free treatment of blood sugar (diabetes), gaestro problems, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases etc. Free dlood sugar tests, blood pressure measurement, etc. of the patients were done along with free medicines to the patients. Around hundred people attended the camp.The camp was organised by People’s Friend Foundation in...
Assam is gearing up to bid goodbye to 2012 and to welcome 2013. Guwahati wears a fresh look to dazzle in the evening. But bars and hotels in the city will have to close the functions by 12.30 AM on New Year's eve. On the other hand, the bars, hotels and restaurants must have special permission to stay open after 10 PM on Monday. Meanwhile, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration has made installation of close circuit television cameras in bars, pubs, discotheques, clubs and all the celebration venues a must for the New Year. The CCTVs must be installed at the gates, galleries and main halls of hotels, bars and restaurants where functions will be held and liquor served.
Police picked up a tea garden worker in connection with the Konapathar case where the owner of the tea estate and his wife were charred to death. DGP JN Chaudhury, who visited Tinsukia on Sunday said that a few more accused would be picked up within a day or two. According to information, nine workers have been accused and eight others would be arrested. The identity of the apprehended suspect has not been divulged so that the process is not hampered.
Amid mounting protest over repeated rapes and molestations, protestors
in Guwahati on Sunday vowed to put the government under pressure to
change the laws to punish the rapists and molesters.
SUCI, Aam Aadmi Party, Marwari Yuva Manch activists staged protests in
different parts of the city since Sunday morning. The activists
demanded the Centre take urgent steps to amend the laws of the country
to curb atrocities on women.
Members of the AAP took out a candlelight procession on the banks of
Dighalipukhuri in the heart of the city in the evening. AAP leaders
said that all pending rape cases in the courts should be tried in
fast-track courts and a special session of Parliament...
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