India’s ‘Operation Brahma’
On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, claiming over 1,600 lives and leaving thousands injured. In a swift and compassionate response, India launched 'Operation Brahma' on March 29, embodying its ethos of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" – the world is one family. Named after Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, the mission symbolizes India’s commitment to rebuilding lives in its neighbourhood during times of crisis. Within hours of the disaster, India mobilized a robust humanitarian effort. An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft delivered 15 tonnes of relief materials, including tents, blankets, food, water purifiers, and medicines, to Yangon. This was followed by two C-17 aircraft carrying 60 tonnes of aid and a 118-member Indian Army Field Hospital unit to Mandalay, the hardest-hit region. The hospital, operational within days, treated over 100 patients and conducted critical surgeries, easing the burden on Myanmar’s strained healthcare system. Additionally, an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, equipped with advanced rescue tools and trained canines, landed in Naypyidaw to conduct search and rescue operations. India’s naval might also played a pivotal role. INS Satpura and INS Savitri, carrying 40 tonnes of aid, docked at Yangon, while two more ships from the Andaman and Nicobar Command followed. By April 1, India had delivered over 137 tonnes of supplies, establishing itself as the first responder in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured Myanmar’s military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, of India’s unwavering support.
'Operation Brahma' underscores India’s legacy of humanitarian missions, from 'Operation Maitri' in Nepal to 'Operation Dost' in Turkey. As Myanmar grapples with this catastrophe, India’s rapid, multi-faceted response not only provides immediate relief but also strengthens its position as a regional leader in disaster response, fostering hope amid despair.
Chandan Kumar Nath
Sorbhog, Barpeta
Joy and concern in Mising language teaching
April 2, 2025, marks a watershed moment as the state government has officially introduced the Mising language as a medium of instruction in 200 lower primary schools for the new academic session (2025–26), primarily located within Mising communities. This is a historic step toward preserving and promoting our mother tongue. Our school-going children will now have the opportunity to learn in their native language, making it easier for them to grasp fundamental concepts. Textbooks in Mising will help them understand subjects more effectively, fostering a stronger connection to their cultural roots.
However, amid this celebration, a pressing concern remains unaddressed. Those who have completed the six-month Mising language certificate course are not being given the opportunity to participate in the teacher recruitment process. Many of us undertook this course with the hope that it would create employment opportunities and allow us to contribute to the education system. Unfortunately, the lack of recognition for this certification has left us feeling disheartened.
This situation raises a critical question: What is the true value of the Mising language certificate if it does not grant eligibility for teaching positions? The government’s initiative to promote the language in schools is commendable, but it must also ensure that qualified individuals have the opportunity to teach in their mother tongue. We urge the authorities to address this issue by providing a clear pathway for Mising certificate holders in the recruitment process. Recognizing this qualification will not only create employment opportunities but also strengthen the effectiveness of this initiative. The success of this policy depends not just on introducing the language in schools but also on empowering those who can teach it. Only then can we truly celebrate this milestone as a victory for the Mising community.
Nirmal Panging
Lakhimpur
A tale of dreams, traps, and quiet battles
Let me tell you about this wild ride called the twenties. It started like a bright, shiny promise—full of hope, big dreams, and the thrill of something new. I thought, “This is it, my time to shine.” But life has a funny way of pulling the rug out from under you. The truth didn’t hit me all at once—it crept in slowly, like a shadow stretching across the room. Before I knew it, I was tangled up in a trap I hadn’t even seen coming. By the time I realized, I was stuck, deep in a mess I couldn’t climb out of. The twenties? They’re heavier than any word I know.
Out there, people have their own way of sizing you up. If you’re racing ahead—nailing goals while you’re still young—they cheer you on, calling you ambitious, a star. But if you’re like me, stumbling a little, falling behind? They slap labels on you—lazy, a disappointment, a letdown to Maa and Papa. One day, you’re just living, and the next, life hands you this giant list: get a career, figure out love, think about marriage, save for the future. These used to be things I would get when I was ready. Now, they’re these big, scary mountains I’m supposed to climb—and fast. But what about us slowpokes? Don’t we get a shot at making it too? The weight of it all started piling up, and soon, everything felt dim, like the light was fading. This part of life – it’s huge, right? But some folks just can’t carry it anymore. They let go. For me, I started feeling this knot of worry twisting inside, this heaviness I couldn’t shake. I wanted to tell someone, but who’d get it? Unless you’ve felt that quiet storm yourself, it’s just noise to you. I’ve heard more and more people are wrestling with this anxiety thing—it’s everywhere now, and it’s kind of scary.
There’s a little hope, though. People are waking up to how much mental health matters. Some are brave enough to sit down with someone who can help, trying to fix things before they break completely. But me? I hesitate. So do a lot of others. Sometimes it’s the money—there just isn’t enough. Other times, it’s the whispers—what will people say? And then there’s the loneliness—no one’s there to hold your hand through it. We know it’s important, but knowing and doing are two different beasts.
So here I am, caught in this strange tale of my twenties. It kicked off with dazzling dreams, but somewhere along the way, I tripped into traps I never saw. The world keeps score by how quick you run, and if you’re slow like me, it’s a fight just to breathe. That worry, that sadness—it’s growing, and I wish for help to not feel so far away. This is my story, raw and real—a girl trying to find her way through a chapter that demands everything, all at once.
Rajashree Das
(ruchadas98@gmail.com)