Featured
Young Couple making Cloth Masks out of traditional Towels to sustain themselves in Lockdown
Amid the novel coronavirus pandemic which has led to the scarcity of masks and other protective gears and has also descended dark shadow over the livelihood of the people across the globe, a young Bodo couple in Assam’s Udalguri district have solaced themselves by seizing the opportunity to make cloth masks out of Assamese “Gamosas”, Bodo “Aronai”, Rabha “Kangbang” the traditional towel of the indigenous communities and are selling them door-to-door.
Brojen Daimari and his wife Rumi Daimari in their mid-thirties were facing hardships to sustain themselves due to financial constraints and decided to make the distinctive and flamboyant masks out of the traditional towels of various indigenous communities which are in vogue among the people of Assam amid the pandemic.
While Rumi tailors the masks in perfect shape and size, Brojen riding his TVS make 100 cc commuter bike is selling the masks and have aptly placed them in a horizontal stick above the headlight of his bike to catch the attention of the passerby.
“The government has made wearing masks and social distancing compulsory to prevent coronavirus infection. But I and my wife observed that masks are not easily available in rural areas and the one available in medical stores are sold at much high rate than usual, so we decided to reap the benefit of this growing demand for the mask and prepare the cloth masks ” said Brojen Daimari.
Daimari further said, “We were facing trouble as our stationery shop in the village was down the shutter for days and then decided to start this business .”
Daimari said that he travels to various parts of Udalguri district including Khoirabari, Bhergaon, Dimakuchi, Paneri, Tangla and manages to sell 60-80 pieces every day at the rate of Rs. 50 each.
On the question that if he faced trouble from law enforcement agencies he said, “I only sell them from 8 am to 1 pm as an administrative official suggested me to adhere to the timing. Sometimes I am stopped by police but after I say that I consulted the local circle office, they let me go”.
For more stories follow our page Times of Northeast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Koo
Visit our website https://timesofnortheast.com
Times of Northeast is an independent digital news platform which seeks to grab the attention of rational-minded people from Northeast India.
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.
-
Featured4 months ago
Assam’s Mobile Theatre journey since 1960s
-
NORTHEAST9 months ago
2 girls drown while taking bath in Pahumara river in Bajali
-
Featured9 months ago
Police nab 2 drug peddlers at Pathsala
-
Featured7 months ago
‘Open for all’ street libraries setup in Pathsala with efforts of Bajali police, Udayan Sangha
-
Featured6 months ago
“Whatever you do, do it best with your heart and soul.” Ranjeet Kumar Dass
-
Featured7 months ago
Specially abled man appeals for govt aid
-
NORTHEAST3 months ago
Rotten Foods items Seized From ‘Chef Kitchen’ restaurant in Pathsala
-
Assam5 months ago
Ranjeet Kumar Dass distributs forms of MMNMA scheme at Bhattadev University and NH collage