Featured
Assam: Kaziranga worker saves three boys from drowning
A worker of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam went beyond his work brief of saving flood-affected animals to rescue three boys from drowning in the Brahmaputra.
Several waves of floods since May 22 have so far killed 89 persons, 120 animals of KNPTR and 15 domesticated animals besides affecting more than 55 lakh people in Assam.
Bidyut Bikash Borah, the range officer of KNPTR’s Agratoli Range,Kaziranga, said speedboat operator Bolin Bora had on May 19 rescued the three boys clinging desperately to a piece of driftwood. The trio had been swept from Biswanath district on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra upstream.
Agratoli is the easternmost of 1,055 sq km KNPTR’s four ranges on the Brahmaputra’s southern bank. The river divides the one-horned rhino domain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, unequally between these four ranges and the Biswanath Range on the other bank.
“The guards on the ceiling of the inundated Maklung anti-poaching camp adjoining the river spotted three heads trying to stay above water and cries for help. The current of the river was too strong for them to get to them in a country boat,” the range officer told The Hindu.
Most of KNPTR’s 223 anti-poaching camps have a country boat tied nearby for emergency operations.
Mr. Bora, 40, sped off as soon as he received the message and hauled the three teenagers onto a speedboat.
The three boys — brothers Mahan Jyoti and Joyguru Kutum and Sankar Medhi from Raonmukh village in Biswanath district — said they had ventured out in a country boat to collect grass near the riverbank. The boat, caught in a strong current and wind, overturned.
“The boys had drifted for three hours before they could be rescued,” Mr. Bora said.
The range officer said the three boys were handed over to their relatives at Bokakhat in Golaghat district as it was too late for them to return to Biswanath that day.
KNPTR has eight speedboats, mostly operated by casual workers from the flood-prone Majuli upstream of the Brahmaputra. Mr. Bora is from Majuli, whose residents are considered experts in negotiating obstacles in flooded or shallow rivers and channels.
Senior officials said KNPTR needs 3,000 people in eight-hour shifts for better protection of its flora and fauna. The park’s staff strength is 1,605 and 316 of them are low-paid casual workers who often end up being on call 24 hours, especially during floods.
“One has to see our frontline workers in action to know how dedicated they are in protecting Kaziranga’s core and fringes,” KNPTR’s Director P. Sivakumar said, adding that the staff have saved 147 animals so far.
While 90% of KNPTR was submerged, the number of flood-affected persons increased by 2.12 lakh to 26.31 lakh across 26 districts overnight.
“Two people drowned on Wednesday to take the toll to 89 with another 26 killed in landslides since May 22. Fifteen domestic animals have also been washed away,” an Assam State Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said.
The number of people across 281 relief camps also increased to 45,281.
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NORTHEAST
Woman cuts off man’s genitals for refusing to marry her; Hospitalized
In a shocking incident, A woman allegedly chopped off the genitals of his brother-in-law with whom she allegedly had an illicit relationship in Lower Assam’s Bajali district.
As per reports, the incident took place on September 23 when the woman attacked her brother-in-law after the latter refused her marriage proposal.
The injured man was rushed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment in Guwahati.
The victim, identified as 30-year-old Saiful Islam.
According to locals, Islam was involved in a secret affair with his sister-in law.
The two were in a love affair for the last seven years, reportedly taking advantage of times when her husband was away.
In a violent turn of events, she allegedly attacked him and severed his genitals. Police quickly intervened, arresting the woman and initiating an investigation into the incident. They also recovered the weapon used in the attack from the scene.
Featured
Assam’s Mobile Theatre journey since 1960s
The mobile theatre of Assam, also known as Bhramyaman Theatre, is a unique and vibrant form of theatre that originated in the state of Assam, India where Achyut Lakhar gave birth to Mobile theatre in Pathsala town in the 1960s. Every year the theatre groups travel from place to place with their cast, crew, musicians, dancers and everything required to set the stage, to perform in villages, towns, and cities across Assam.
During the theatre season Pathsala town turned festivity where thousands of people gathered in one place to see plays of ‘Awahan Theatre’, ‘Kohinoor Theatre’, ‘Rajmukut Theatre’, ‘Rajlakhsmi Theatre’. It’s like a festival for the people. The plays often focus on social issues, family drama, mythology, and folklore, as well as contemporary topics like politics and corruption which the audience loves it.
The Theatre group continues to attract audiences on live stage without the use of special effects like green or blue screens, or 3D or 5D technology. During the show many actors injured by accident on live stage.
Earlier, plays like ‘Titanic’ attracted audience without a single drop of water on stage, and ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Mary Kom’, ‘Mahabharat’ and ‘Ramayana’ also attracted audience.
The groups give employment scope to more than 5000 people. There are more than 30 mobile theatres in Assam, where more than 100 to 150 people work in every group.
Tapan Lahkar, producer of Kohinoor Theatre, reflected on the theatre’s legacy, saying, “Kohinoor Theatre has proudly completed 49 years. Every artist in our group puts in immense effort. In the past, we managed to make our play ‘Titanic’ a success without a single drop of water or any special effects—it was a significant challenge for my father. Similarly, our productions of ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Mahabharat,’ and ‘Ramayan’ captivated audiences long before they were ever seen on television.”
Prastuti Parashar, producer of Awahan Theatre, emphasized the cultural importance of mobile theatre, stating, “Mobile theatre has played a crucial role in promoting Assamese culture, language, and identity while providing both entertainment and social commentary to audiences across the state. Awahan Theatre is like family to me, and we are committed to giving our best to entertain our audience. We tackle stories about family and political issues, always with a focus on Assamese culture. We also need the continued support of the people.”
Dhruba Talukdar, producer of Rajlakshmi Theatre, shared his passion for the art, saying, “I hail from Pathsala town, the birthplace of mobile theatre, founded by Achyut Lahkar. Inspired by the plays I watched as a child, I always dreamed of opening my own theatre. I aim to spread positive messages through our productions, addressing issues like global warming, social concerns, politics, and corruption. I take risks to fulfill my dreams, and I don’t believe that OTT platforms can ever replace the unique experience of mobile theatre.”
Manas Kalita, producer of Rajmukut Theatre, highlighted the challenges faced by performers, noting, “Performing on a live stage is not easy. Many actors have been injured during shows, yet they continue to perform with dedication. Every actor and staff member works incredibly hard in mobile theatre.”
Finally, Giridhor Choudhury, a senior citizen from Bajali, expressed his deep connection to the tradition, saying, “Assam’s mobile theatre groups are an integral part of our culture and should live on forever. It’s an emotion for the Assamese people. Since 1963, mobile theatre has provided employment opportunities to many in Assam. Today, there are more than 30 mobile theatres in the state, each employing 100 to 150 people. In total, 4,000 to 5,000 individuals are engaged in this vibrant tradition.”
Assam
Ranjeet Kumar Dass distributs forms of MMNMA scheme at Bhattadev University and NH collage
After Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina’ scheme in Assam to prevent child marriage, Assam’s cabinet Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass distributed forms of the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni scheme at Bhattadev University in Pathsala and NH college in Patacharkuchi.
The scheme to provide monetary benefits to girl students every month in order to put an end to child marriages. This scheme will be awarded to around 10 lakh girls.This scheme is a monthly financial assistance scheme to fight against child marriage. Girls who are studying in HS, graduation and post-graduation level will get this government’s financial support.
During the programme Ranjeet Kumar Dass said, “Heartfelt thanks Assam CM for the CM’s Nijut Moina Scheme, a game-changer for Assam’s meritorious students.”
“There are many families in my constituency that can pay their daughter only Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 a month for the expenses of studying in the university. But now at least such economically backward meritorious students do not have to leave their studies.
“Today we distributed forms in Bhattadev University in Pathsala and NH college in Patacharkuchi in presence of Bajali district administration, students and staffs.
Meanwhile, the students of the university expressed happiness after the scheme launched by the Assam government.
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