ABSU to convert UN Brahma's birthplace to model village

25th death anniversary of Bodofa observed in befitting manner at Kokrajhar

FROM OUR CORESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR, May 1: The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) today observed the 25th death anniversary of Bodofa Upendra th Brahma in a befitting manner at Thulungapuri, Dotma in Kokrajhar district. The student body invited all the Bodo movement leaders and ex-workers who were associated with Bodofa UN Brahma and felicitated them besides taking their view and suggestions.

Several hundred of prominent ABSU leaders who were involved in the Bodoland movement led by Bodofa UN Brahma took part in the silver jubilee of Bodofa’s death anniversary.

Former leaders of ABSU, Bodo People’s Action Committee (BPAC), All Assam Tribal Women’s Welfare Federation (AATWWF), Bodo Volunteers Force, student leaders from Aruchal Pradesh, etc from the year 1986 to 1990 attended the observation of death anniversary.

As part of the programme,  ABSU president Promod Boro hoisted the flag of the union in half mast followed by floral tribute to Bodofa UN Brahma by his elder brother Sameswar Brahma. Leaders of various organizations paid floral tribute to Bodofa. Among the prominent leaders founder president of ABWWF and MLA Pramila Rani Brahma, MLA Pradip Kr. Brahma, BTC EM Doneswar Goyary, president of ABWWF-Mithinga Basumatary, president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) Kameswar Brahma, ex-presidents of ABWWF- Supria Rani Brahma and Lothika Hazoary, ex-ABSU leaders, MCLAs of BTC paid tribute to Bodofa.

A visit programme to Bodofa’s birth place Boragari which is about 3 km from Dotma was also organized with the theme-“Let’s go to Bodofa’s village Boragari”, where several hundred students, leaders and workers of various organizations, villagers, public representatives took part. Former Rajya Sabha MP and ex-ABSU president Urkhao Gwra Brahma flagged off the rally from Thulungapuri to Boragari.

The ABSU today formally announced that it will work to make Bodofa’s birth place Boragari-a model village as a mark of respect to his selfless contributions to the downtrodden people. ABSU president Promod Boro said the village will have a beautiful gate on way to the village, a community hall, library, centre of excellencies in culture, sports, centre of spiritual development and meditation, information centre, statue of Bodofa UN Brahma, motivation centre for youths and counseling centre etc.

He called upon all people to cooperate to make the concept of model village in to reality as Bodofa has given to the people and so they should give the honor.

It may be mentioned that Bodofa Upendra th Brahma was born at Boragari village on March 31 in 1956 and breathed his last on May 1, 1990 in Mumbai TATA memorial hospital. He became the president of the ABSU in 1986 at Rowta Chariali’s session. Again, he was reinstated as the president of the ABSU in Bashbari session in Dhubri district in 1988. He launched the Bodoland movement on March 2, 1987 in full swing.

The government of India started dialogue with the ABSU on September, 1989 but Bodofa died after three rounds of tripartite talks on Bodoland issue on May 1, 1990 at the age of 30.

A grand open meeting was also held with ABSU president Promod Boro in the chair where former advisor of the All Aruchal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) Nino Tado attended the meeting as the chief guest. Taro also attended the Bashbari session of the ABSU in 1988 when UN Brahma was the president. He called upon the Bodos to work together to fulfill the dream of Bodofa. Recollecting the work of UN Brahma, Tado said Brahma was not only a leader of the Bodos but he was the leader of all downtrodden indigenous people of the region.

The open meeting was also addressed by senior jourlist Adip Phukan, ABSU speaker of West Bengal Nicodim Hazoary, former ABSU president Rwngwra rzary, former BTC EM Mono Kr. Brahma, former ABWWF leaders Maloti Rani rzary, Lotika Hazoary of Goalpara, Supriya Rani Brahma, ex-treasurer of ABSU DD rzary, ex-ABSU leaders Ansula Gwra Bodosa of Goalpara, Berlao K. Karji, Parmeswar Brahma, Khungkra Sargiary.