ABSU observes Bodofa UN Brahma's 62nd birth anniversary as Students' Day

KOKRAJHAR, March 31: The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and the BTC Secretariat on Saturdayobserved the 62nd birth anniversary of Bodofa Upendra th Brahma at his burial ground Thulungapuri in Dotma and in front of BTC Assembly, Bodofa Nwgwr, Kokrajhar simultaneously. 

Rich floral tribute was paid by Dr. Subung Basumatary, the chairman of Bodofa UN Brahma Trust at the statue of Bodofa at Dotma while BTC EM Doneswar Goyary paid floral tribute at the statue of Bodofa in front of BTC Assembly, Kokrajhar, in presence of senior officials. As part of the programme, the general secretary of the ABSU, Lawrence Islary hoisted the organizatiol flag at Dotma followed by students' rally flagged off by the Director of UN Academy, Kokrajhar, Krish Gopal Basumatary.

Meanwhile, BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary, accompanied by EM Doneswar Goyary and former Speaker of BTC Legislative Assembly, Paniram Brahma paid tribute to Bodofa at his statue at Thulungapuri, Dotma. 

Talking to media persons, the general secretary of the ABSU, Lawrence Islary said the ABSU had been observing March 31, the birth anniversary of Bodofa UN Brahma as Students' Day and like previous years, the day wass observed with a grand students' rally throughout Kokrajhar subdivision to commemorate his selfless contributions for the downtrodden people of the region. He said the ABSU had been demanding March 31 to be declared as government holiday but neither BTC nor the State Government had taken initiative to make this effective.

Islary said Bodofa worked for the downtrodden communities, raised voice against injustices towards them and launched united movement that rocked the entire region so that justice could be delivered to the underprivileged communities. He also said Bodofa had a dream to make the Bodos a master race of the world and to translate his dream into reality, the student body had been struggling for all-round development of the society.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma said the initiative of the State Government to provide Rs. 5 lakh each to Bodoland movement martyrs was praiseworthy. He said the BTC leaders had forgotten the family members of Bodofa Upendra th Brahma and it was unfortute that the council administration had failed to assist the family members of Bodofa.

On the other hand, the deputy chief of BTC, Kampa Borgoyary while talking to reporters at Thulungapuri, Dotma, said Bodofa UN Brahma he was the guiding force for the Bodos as well as other downtrodden people and he had opened the eyes of the generation against exploitation, oppression and injustice. He said the BTC was also part of his dream.

When asked as to why the BTC had not taken initiative to declare the Bodofa's birth day as holiday, Borgoyary said the council had already discussed the matter but could not arrive at a fil decision whether the birth anniversary or death anniversary would be proper to declare holiday. He also said the council would again discuss the issue and based on public demand, would declare a holiday on his birth anniversary or death annivers

On assistance to the family of Bodofa UN Brahma, Borgoyary said BTC had an impressive idea to support the family members in pursuing higher education, job or for a good cause.