'Assamese in Bangladesh are struggling for their existence'

From a Correspondent

GAON (HAIBORGAON), June 13:  Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha on Monday received a team of six tourists from Bangladesh and Myanmar who haveAssamese origin, who in the quest of their roots, arrived in Assam.

They were felicitated by the Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha at its central office in gaon. They also took part in interaction. One of tourists, Assamese origin Bangladeshi tiol, Timathi Asom of Asom Basti in Rangamati district, stated that they had come to Assam only to learn greater Assamese language and its culture. “We are overwhelmed seeing your love and affection. We are frustrated in Bangladesh and if you have any sufficient arrangement, please provide your help,” Timathi said.

 Under the supervision of Association for Historical Dispersed People of Assam, a voluntary organization, the tourist team arrived in Assam on June 9 and on Monday the team arrived in gaon from Guwahati. Another Bangladeshi tiol of Assamese origin who is also from Asom Basti of Rangamati district in Bangladesh, Bijoy Axom, depicted how the 900 Assamese origin Bangladeshi citizens had to live there and also how the inhabitants of Asom Basti  were struggling since long for their existence in Bangladesh. He added that many of them had already converted to other religions.

 “The Assamese people are so cordial and lovable,” said Bijoy. He added that their forefathers had settled in Bangladesh around 200 years ago and they had been living there from generation to generation despite various problems. The tourists’ team comprised Bijoy Asom, Timathi Asom, Ashok Kumar Asom of Bangladesh, Priya alias Chandramala, Vidyavati and Madhuya Gopal of Myanmar. The team will spend the night on Monday at the guest house of Batradrava Than at Borduwa in gaon and will take part at a function to be held at Batradrava Than on Tuesday evening.