Senior journalist stresses on strengthening bond between Barak & Brahmaputra

Our Correspondent

Silchar, June 24: The rift in the relations between the people of Barak and Brahmaputra has been created intentionally by some sects of people with ulterior motives and sinister designs. This was pointed out by a number of speakers at a discussion session on 'Barak and Brahmaputra: Bond beyond Brouhaha' which was jointly organized by Jookto and North East Linguistic and Ethnic Coordination Committee (NELEC) at Madhyashohor Sankriti Samiti Hall recently.

Senior journalist Samudra Gupta Kashyap said that people have been mechanical in their outlook and lacking basic humanistic sense. "This widening gap should be filled up so that it does not widen more with the passage of time. Barak and Brahmaputra Valleys are not separate and are in Assam. If we do not visit, communicate and exchange ideas, how on earth are we going to live like members of the same family? A shared and common culture, language, faith, rules, regulations, norms and literature matters much. We should fight the forces which are trying to vivisect Assam." He said that one should focus on the development and progress of the state.

Samudra Gupta Kashyap who served as a journalist at The Indian Express for 3 decades, retired recently. He brought forth many instances from his experiences where people from both the Valleys have worked and fought unitedly for the State of Assam. "We should broaden our mind and outlook. We are leading a meaningless and purposeless life. The lynching of two innocent youths Abhijit and Nilotpal is an example of brutality and cruelty. The mood of such an enlightening discussion was set up by Subimal Bhattacharjee of Jookto. In his inaugural address, he focused on the need of such discussion sessions.

Dr Bishwadeep Choudhury and Vivek Poddar also expressed their views on the issues and concerns of the Valleys of Barak and Brahmaputra. Vivek Poddar said, "Barak and Brahmaputra are both parts of Assam. Lack of communication has resulted in the creation of mental division."