Letters to the Editor: Lachit Barphukan: The National Hero

Assam's history is incomplete without the 'Ahom Buronji' and Indian history will be incomplete without the history of Assam. The Ahom dynasty, who ruled Assam for 600 years, paved the way of assimilation of different communities and building a united Assam. The kingdom, established in the Brahmaputra Valley and literally occupying the entire region of Assam and North-East as part of their territorial expansions, came under Mughal attacks multiple times but they succeeded in resisting the imperial power from occupying Northeastern India. The Battle of Saraighat was a significant war as that was the last attempt of invasion of Assam by the powerful Mughal empire. The Ahom fighters defeated the large Mughal army and successfully kept up its sovereignty until the Britishers came. Lachit Barphukan, an undisputed military commander, led the Ahom army in that crucial battle and led the way as a strong leader. Every term following the completion of tough training at the National Defence Academy, the best Army Cadet is awarded with a Gold Medal called Lachit Barphukan Medal. However, interestingly, most Indians outside Assam know nothing about the warrior. The celebration of his 400th birth anniversary in the National Capital is remarkable because still very few non-Assamese people know about the legendary heroes and glorious history of Assam and this initiative will hopefully raise awareness among people about the struggle and contribution of Assam in building an integrated nation.

Nilutpal Neog,

Gauhati University.

Development leads to displacement

The reconstruction of the National Highway between Jalukbari and Khanapara into a 6-lane highway is a great decision taken by the government of Assam. The new highway will reduce the problem of traffic congestion, especially in Gorchuk, Lokhra and Basistha Charali areas.

However, the main concern is that due to this reconstruction of the highway, a large number of trees have been chopped down which would result in huge pollution and increase greenhouse gasses, making it more suffocating than it already is. So it is a humble request to the PWD Department of Assam and the NHAI to take an initiative like planting trees in areas near around the highway or anywhere possible. These steps will create a harmony between people and the environment and helps the living beings to lead a normal life.

Prachujya Protim Bora,

(prachujyaprotimbora1863@gmail.com).

Eyesore

AASU, the supreme body of students in the Brahmaputra Valley, claims to be an apolitical body representing the student community of Brahmaputra Valley which, in the meantime, has produced many very prominent political figures of Assam. We generally understand that the average age of a student is around 30-35but to our utter surprise, we are used to seeing students above 45 years representing AASU in their usual road shows (road blockades, dharnas, waving black flags), which don't make them look like students in general.

They are in fact an eyesore to us and sometimes make us believe as if today's AASU is no more a student body which is apolitical. The over-aged so-called AASU leaders seem to have immense hold in day-to-day affairs of the state which was reflected during their anti-CAA stir, which almost crippled the state both academically as well as financially and later spread to the rest of the nation exposing many anti-national elements. The memory of the anti-CAA stir is still fresh in every bona fide patriotic Indians' minds. The anti-CAA stir produced one 'Badan' named Ajit Bhuyan who is now a member of the Upper House of Parliament. The other firebrand leader and an ex-general secretary of AASU Lurinjyoti Gogoi is still licking his wounds after being rejected by bona fide Axomiyas.

I beg to remind the AASU leaders that power without accountability is very dangerous.

Joel Goyari,

Tangla.