ABSU to stick to its principles: Promod Boro

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Feb 14: The golden jubilee celebration of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) being held at Jangkrithai Fwthar, Kokrajhar entered the third day on Tuesday.

Thousands of people thronged the golden jubilee venue. The rush of people witnessed a record this time in Kokrajhar. The venue wore a festive look with Bodo and different cultural troupes presenting their traditiol dances and showcasing their rich heritage in the exhibition. Another attraction of today’s session was the exhibition- cum- book fair which was thronged by thousands of people.

The third day’s programme was started at 5.30 am with the golden jubilee marathon race which was flagged off by Manmohan Boro, Commandant of 7th Assam Police Battalion, Charaikhola.

An open delegate session with felicitation of former ABSU leaders and presidents and secretaries, as well as felicitation of allied movement organizations, was also held at the main pandal. The session was chaired by ABSU speaker Jayanta Basumatary while ABSU president Promod Boro gave the welcome address.

The president of the ABSU, Promod Boro said, “We are very happy and feel proud to felicitate and organize this get together programme of all the former leaders of ABSU on this auspicious occasion of golden jubilee celebration.” He also said that under their able leadership, ABSU had reached at this stage today. He also said the ABSU would never derail from its principle and ideology of the organization and vision of Bodofa UN Brahma. At the same time, Boro also said that due to several reasons, this time ABSU failed to felicitate the 1,135 martyr families who dedicated their lives for the cause of the identity, protection and all-round development of Bodos and other indigenous tribes.

In an interview with media persons on the sidelines of the meeting, former EM of BAC Subash Basumatary said he was happy to see the felicitation ceremony of former workers and leaders of the ABSU. He said the ABSU was formed with an aim to work for safeguarding the identity, protection of culture, language, socio-economic development and improvement of Bodo medium. He said there were many issues to be worked out and overcome. He, however, expressed grief over the division among the Bodos. He said that unity among brothers was utmost important.

Replying to a question, Basumatary said he was not fully satisfied with the BTC as it had failed to deliver the aspirations of the people. He said the villages, especially in northern part, lacked drinking water facility, health and sanitation, good roads and bridges. He also said the council had been giving priority in building Bodoland House and Bodoland Bhavan in big cities but had forgotten the people’s misery and their basic needs.

Former leader of the ABSU, Ranjit Kr. Borgoyary, who was also the president of All Assam Tribal Sangha, said there was Goalpara district Boro Chatra Sanmilan before the ABSU was formed. He said the ABSU was formally formed in the year 1967 with the dedicated leaders who sacrificed for the cause of the community. He said the ABSU launched movement for introducing Bodo medium and it also started the movement for script for Bodo medium. The demands of the ABSU were considered one after another and today, the Bodo medium had reached to higher class and Bodo had been introduced in university as MIL.

A special panel discussion on ‘Bodo culture, a journey towards the future from the past’ was also held today at the exhibition-cum-book fair complex at the venue, besides semirs on different topics. The special panel discussion was addressed by former MP Charan rzary, renowned film actor Tikendrajit rzary (Jalakho), Sahitya Akademi award winner Janil Kr. Brahma, former Rajya Sabha MP-UG Brahma and other dignitaries.

In the evening, grand file of Dengkhwmu SE-NWI-THAM was also held and Dulal Manki, popular singer, attended the programme as chief guest.