Historic ga-Assamese round table talks on Oct 9

By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Oct 3: Towards embarking on a journey of common hope through dialogue, members of ga and Assamese civil societies have decided to gather for a first-ever open discussion here on October 9.
Christen as ‘ga-Assamese Round Table Talk’ towards building friendship and fraternity between the two neighbouring communities, the event is being organized by nda Talukdar Foundation (NTF), Guwahati at Indian Institute of Bank Magement (IIBM), Khapara.
In a bid to begin a much needed dialogue process between the two sides, senior jourlists Samudragupta Kashyap, Mril Talukdar and Atanu Phukan as the conveners have initiated this bold move under the aegis of the NTF in the backdrop of six decades of distrust, suspicions, animosity and mindsets conditioned through accumulated myths.
According to a press release issued by NTF secretary Mril Talukdar, the historic talks will be attended by six representatives from each state as delegates, besides a galaxy of academics, senior jourlists, columnists and social workers as invitees.
The ga delegation led by noted peace crusader Niketu Iralu comprises apex tribal council ga Hoho’s president Chuba Ozukum, ga Mothers’ Association adviser Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu, ga Students’ Federation (NSF) president Subenthang Kikon, among others.
Noted academic Prof Udayan Misra will lead the Assam delegation comprising Axom Xahitya Xabha president Dr Dhrubajyoti Bora, AASU chief Adviser Dr Samujjwal Bhattacharya, Purbanchaliya Tai Sahitya Sabha president Dr Dayanda Borgohain, former Upper Assam Commissioner Sayad Iftikhar Hussein, among others.
NTF president Nitya Bora will preside over the round table talk while NEC member Chandra Kanta Das is an independent observer of the deliberations.
It is hoped that this bold initiative would open up a new chapter of mutual respects, trust and cooperation between the people of the two states by ending long years of accumulated mistrust, suspicions and vast gulf in societal levels, the release said.
After receiving tremendous encouragements and supports from both sides for their initiative, the conveners of the talks do believe that such a consistent dialogue process would definitely help enhancing cultural exchanges, trade and business and people-to-people contact despite having divergent perceptions, opinions and stands on the vexed border dispute and political issues, the release added.