Society / Assam

GUWAHATI, Jan 24 — The Committee on Fiscal Reforms (COFR) has suggested that sanction of grants-in-aid to the State’s colleges and universities should be made contingent on the adherence to the University Grants Commission (UGC) by the colleges and universities concerned and that such grants to these institutions should be reduced at the rate of ten per cent each year, for the next five years. The COFR has also called for steps to facilitate attainment of self-sufficiency by the institutions of higher learning so that the State Government’s financial commitments to these institutions can be...

GUWAHATI, Jan 23 – The golden jubilee conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha concluded at Bamphar in Kamrup district recently with a three-day programme. The programme began with flag hoisting, felicitation and book fair inauguration. The flag was hoisted by Sri Kamala Kanta Musahary. In his brief speech, Sri Musahary recounted the writers’ contributions towards uplifting of Bodo literature. He also called upon the youths to devote more for the development of the Bodo people. It was followed by a swahid tarpan programme in which Sri Jitendra Nath Brahma paid rich tributes to the Bodo leaders who...

GUWAHATI, Jan 13 — The Children’s Literary Trust, Assam, set up in March 1987 to give a boost to children’s literature in the State, is in dire straits because of the apathetic attitude of the successive State governments. The secretary of the Trust, Sri Hrishikesh Goswami today told this Correspondent that the Trust was set up with a State government grant of Rs 25 lakh to promote children’s literature in the State and so far the trust has published more than 30 books, some of those by the well known writers of the State. One of the most well accepted books published by the Trust was Bilati...

GUWAHATI, Jan 10 — Along with the rest of the Hmar people-inhabited places of the country, the Sikpui Ruoi Festival, 2001 (Hmar Winter Festival) was celebrated in the two hill districts of NC Hills and Karbi Anglong on December 5. The silence of the cool misty morning was shattered by pleasant sound of traditional musical instruments and songs played by the young boys and girls mingled with the laughter of joy and merriment on that day. The festival was celebrated with much fanfare and gaiety at following places of Haflong area:

Muolhoi: In Muolhoi, Sikpui Ruoi Festival, 2001 was held at...

GUWAHATI, Jan 6 — Looking back at the year that has just passed we find that a non-fictional book on the mighty Brahmaputra river by internationally acclaimed writer Sri Arup Kumar Dutta created ripples in the literary circles of not only in our State but the entire country. Published by the reputed National book Trust of India under its India – The Land and the People series, the book was released by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at a function in Delhi on September 13 last year. Known for his works based on meticulous research and documentation, Arup Dutta’s books which include the...

HOJAI, Jan 6 : A preliminary survey on a random basis has led to a major finding of fluoride in groundwater sources used for drinking purposes in a vast belt of 91 villages under Hojai subdivision. The Public Health Engineering Division, Hojai, recently conducted a survey in some villages under 24 gaon panchayats under Binnakandi Block and after preliminary test, found fluoride positive in deep groundwater in 19 gaon panchayats. The affected areas are Haldiati, Tapazjuri, Parakhowa, Nizparakhowa, Dimarumukh and Nilbagan under Jamunamukh constituency. Due to use of fluoride-mixed water a large...

Imphal, January 03: Don?t ever mistake a cyber caf? with an eating joint where you find Momo plates, samosas or a cup of hot steaming coffee. Because cafes are those centres where you can avail the facilities provided through Internet on paying a fee for it. You can e-mail, chat or browse the Internet. Though introduced only two years back, cyber cafes have craved a niche for themselves in the city. The capital currently has around 15 cyber cafes which are visited by those who could not afford computer system or Internet connection of their own. Density-wise, the number is the biggest among...

SIPAJHAR, Jan 3 – “The Asam Sahitya Sabha has united the various ethnic groups and tribes on the basis of the motto of modern liberal nationalism and it focusses on the nationalistic feelings of the people,” Asam Sahitya Sabha president Sri Homen Borgohain said. He was addressing as chief guest of the open meeting of the celebration of the foundation day of Asam Sahitya Sabha at Bordaulguri held under the auspices of Darrang District Sahitya Sabha in collaboration with its Bordaulguri branch on December 27 last.

In his speech while discussing the popular image of Sabha, he stressed proper...

GUWAHATI, Jan 2 – Noted educationist and writer Smt Nilima Dutta wife of late Bhabananda Dutta breathed her last at her residence in the Kharghuli area of the city due to heart attack at around 11.45 am today. She was 76. Born at Silghat in Nagaon district in 1925, Smt Dutta was a brilliant student from her early years and received scholarship in both primary and ME examinations. She passed the matriculation examination from Panbazar Girls High School in first division with distinction in Geography and Sanskrit in 1941. She passed the IA examination from Handique Girls College in first...

GUWAHATI, Jan 1 – The Assam government has submitted a proposal to the Sangeet Natak Akademi for the setting up of a Sattriya Dance Promotion Forum for the propagation of the dance form of the State. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said in a statement that a Rs 43.87 lakh action plan would be implemented by the State Culture Department for the preservation and promotion of the dance form. Gogoi further said that his government was giving special importance to preservation, protection, discussion, development and propagation of the traditional art and cultural forms of the State. The Cultural...