From cook to garage owner: Prabin Narzary’s hard work pays off

Our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, July 11: Few people in the region are successful in their respective fields due to their dedication and hard work. Prabin Narzary alias Maosundra of Aflagaon village, a remote village of Kokrajhar district, is a successful person in his profession. Hard work is the secret tool for success and this has been proved by Narzary whose journey started from the Bodoland movement as worker to cook of some economically strong people.

He served as cook for some years in Kokrajhar and then left for New Delhi in 1992. He got admission at ITI, Pusa in New Delhi before passing HS from Kokrajhar College. He passed out from ITI, New Delhi with fitter trade in first class in 1994 and returned home. After returning home, he joined BRPL, Bongaigaon in 1995 and worked as apprentice for six months. After his six-month term in BRPL came to an end, he went to Latrombai in Meghalaya and joined Shaktiman Garage for six months. Again, he returned to Serfanguri in 1997 and worked in a garage for another six months. Not satisfied with working in someone’s garage, he set up his own garage at Aflagaon village in 1998, which he later named as M/S Narzary Engineering Automobile. It has become one of the most popular garages in the area. He has absorbed local youths after training them and given them an opportunity to earn their livelihood.

Talking to this reporter, Narzary said he went to New Delhi to take up a job-oriented short term course with financial help from some well-wishers as the family was economically weak. Fortunately he got admission there. He said he took fitter as his trade but an instructor, AK Jain, who had worked in Arab countries, suggested that he should learn automobile repairing. “Jain gave me some books on automobiles and used to teach me,” he said, adding that he got diploma in fitter but finally the automobile engineering skills helped him earn his livelihood. He also said he started repairing work from shallow machine and then power tiller. Nowadays, he has become skilled in repairing engines of tractors, Tata Magic or any other four-wheeler. But he has no proper structure of garage or modern and advanced tools.

When asked if he approached the Industry and Commerce department of BTC for upgradation of his garage for engaging more local youths, he said he sought financial assistance for upgradation and extension of his centre in other important locations but did not get due attention. He also said since then he did not go to the council for help. “I don’t like running after money or earning easy money. I want people to work hard to achieve their goal and livelihood. The money earned with hard work will never go down the drain but will be saved,” he said, adding that people should revive work culture in the society.

Narzary was also an active worker of the Bodoland movement launched by the ABSU and even joined the Volunteer Force in 1988-1990. He was also involved in martial arts and has red belt in taekwondo. He won medals in various championships and tournaments. He was a strong fighter and he imparted self-defence training in villages during the Bodoland movement that made him more popular.

Apart from these, he is deeply involved with culture. He is passionate about dance and his style of dance can attract the audience. He formed a performing team from Rwisumwi Club of Aflagaon. He also performed in Bodo Yatragaon (open theatre). He also acted in the Bodo film Gwrbw Nwjwr directed by Khanin Bodosa in 2003. Despite his busy work in the garage, he has tremendous interest in culture and sports.

Married to Ringkhangshri Narzary in 1998, Narzary has a daughter and a son. He was born on March 3, 1971 at Aflagaon village. He said that he was happy with the developmental activities of BTC but wanted more emphasis on professional skills and technical institutions with job-oriented trades to engage the unemployed youths.