HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Oct 2: “Mahatma Gandhi’s message of harmony, peace, and tolerance stands as a beacon of hope and wisdom, particularly for Bodoland, which has transformed from a history of violence to a present marked by brotherhood and development,” said BTC chief Pramod Boro while speaking at the celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 155th birth anniversary and the International Day of Non-Violence, held at the BTC Secretariat in Kokrajhar. The BTC chief also said that despite the violence and disturbances that shook the region decades ago, the people of Bodoland now live in peace and unity, creating a foundation for sustained growth.
The ceremony saw state minister for Handloom and Textiles and guardian minister of Kokrajhar, U G Brahma, along with BTC chief Pramod Boro and other dignitaries, paying floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, remembering his profound contributions to the nation.
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During his address, cabinet minister U G Brahma highlighted the lasting impact of Gandhi’s ideals on society, emphasising non-violence, humanism, and their role in shaping social change. He also underscored the importance of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ initiative of the state government, calling on the people of Bodoland to take a collective pledge for peace and development.
Principal secretary Akash Deep, in his inaugural address, stressed that peace is essential for development and that the initiatives introduced by the BTR government are paving the way for growth and inclusivity in the region.
The Gandhi Jayanti celebration featured the launch of the BTC’s flagship Dr Bashi Ram Bodo Doctoral Fellowship Programme. This fellowship honours the legacy of Dr Bashi Ram Bodo, the first PhD holder from the Bodo community, who made significant contributions to education. The fellowship will provide financial support to 50 meritorious students from the Bodoland Territorial Region pursuing doctoral studies at reputed Indian universities. Each student will receive Rs 90,000 every six months, totaling Rs 180,000 annually for two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension under exceptional circumstances.
Additionally, the event included the distribution of grievance and complaint boxes under Mission Bwiswmuthi. Circle officers were entrusted with these boxes to ensure faster resolution of land-related grievances, furthering transparency and efficiency in governance. Notably, BTC has become the first 6th Schedule Council in India to digitise land records, a milestone in administrative modernisation.
On this auspicious occasion, a pledge-taking ceremony under the Green Bodoland Mission was also held at the BTC Secretariat. The ceremony, reflecting the BTC’s commitment to environmental sustainability, saw the participation of students, citizens, and officials.
The event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including MLA Lawrence Islary, BTC EMs Gautam Das, Daobaisa Boro, Ranjit Baumatary, and Dhananjay Basumatary, MCLA Madhab Ch Chetry, vice chancellor of Bodoland University Prof B L Ahuja, Kokrajhar Municipal Board chairman Pratibha Brahma, secretaries, OSDs, and other senior officials. The Gandhi Jayanti celebrations not only honoured the Father of the Nation but also underscored Bodoland’s journey towards peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: The Nagaon district administration and institutions of the small town celebrated the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday. The event included garlanding Gandhi’s statue, reciting the International Non-Violence Day pledge, and more.
Volunteers from the NSS units of the historic Nowgong College and Khagarijan College participated in two separate cleanliness drives at various locations across the town.
District commissioner Narendra Kumar Shah, additional deputy commissioner Shaubhik Bhuyan, Ramesh Nath, principal of Khagarijan College, and Professor Mainul Haque Akand attended the event.
Additionally, all government offices in the district also observed the International Non-Violence Day pledge.
The NSS unit of Nowgong College, under the guidance of Bhuban Ch Chetia, programme officer, and Dr Manash Jyoti Nirmalia, organised a rally to raise awareness about cleanliness and conducted a massive cleanliness drive at several locations in the town after paying tribute to the Father of the Nation. Over a hundred volunteers participated in the drive with the theme ‘Swabhab Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata’.
Meanwhile, the Nagaon Municipality Board also organised a rally on the occasion for ‘Swachhata Ka Dastak’, aimed at promoting collective efforts for cleanliness and environmental awareness, starting from Nagaon Nehrubali Field on Wednesday. Officials of the Nagaon Municipality Board, members of other civic bodies, and members of the Nagaon Lions Club, including President Ajay Mittal, Biswajit Mahanta, Madan Shaha, Mulchand Agarwal, Nandita Das, Pranab Das, Gurucharan Singh, Maharshi Bordoloi, and others, participated in the rally.
Our Jorhat correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the country, the Jorhat district administration celebrated Gandhi Jayanti on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, at the conference hall of the DC’s office complex.
District commissioner Jay Shivani, while paying glowing tributes to Gandhi, recalled his teachings. The DC called upon the people to follow Gandhi’s ideals of speaking the truth and practising non-violence.
DC Shivani also said that Gandhi’s ideals should form the basis of a strong and united society.
A pledge on non-violence was administered to the gathering on the International Day of Non-Violence on Wednesday, and the programme ended with an all-religion prayer meet.
Early in the morning, a cleanliness drive was carried out at the DC’s office campus under the aegis of Civil Defence with the support of the district administration.
Our Hojai correspondent adds: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Family Strengthening Program (FSP), Hojai commemorated Swachhta Diwas across all its clusters in Hojai on Wednesday. This year, all eight Bal Panchayats established by FSP Hojai actively participated in the initiative. A total of 346 children from the Bal Panchayats—Rhino, Amrit, Legend, Sky, Kuhipat, Prativa, Kanaklata, and Shakti—representing Hawaipur, Milik Basti, Hira Basti, and Dhanuhar Basti, engaged in the program. The participants undertook the cleaning of community institutions, including schools, Anganwadi centres, and ANM centres within the village. The initiative aims to encourage children to embrace their roles within the community. In alignment with this year’s theme, ‘Swabhav Swachata Sanskar Swachata’, the children took ownership of the responsibility to foster a greener and cleaner village. The program was coordinated by the animators and tutors of the clusters under the guidance of Chittaranjan Mohanty, assistant director, FS, and Niranjan Das, senior CW, FS of SOS Children’s Village, Hojai.
Our Margherita correspondent adds: On the occasion of the platinum jubilee of the Assam State Primary Teachers’ Sanmeloni on Wednesday, and Gandhi Jayanti, a district-level Teachers’ Learning Materials (TLM) exhibition was held at North Margherita Rangamancha, organised by the Margherita Sub-division Primary Teachers’ Sanmeloni.
In this exhibition, a total of 15 schools and their teachers participated from the Margherita sub-division area.
The programme began with the hoisting of the Sanmeloni flag, which was unfurled by Harendra Gogoi, president of the Margherita sub-division primary teachers’ Sanmeloni, followed by smriti tarpan performed by Pinaki Saikia, former president of the Margherita Sub-division Primary Teachers’ Sanmeloni.
After that, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, an earthen lamp was lit, and a garland was placed at the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi by Jyotish Rai, a noted social worker of Margherita, who also inaugurated the exhibition.
An open session was held where Margherita sub-divisional officer (civil) Parikshit Thoudam (IAS), Dr Amarjit Saikia of Bir Raghav Moran Government College, Doomdooma, deputy inspector of Schools, Margherita, Sanjib Sharma, Margherita sub-divisional primary teachers’ Sanmeloni president Harendra Gogoi, and former president Pinaki Saikia were present.
In his speech, Parikshit Thoudam said that through Teachers’ Learning Material (TLM), students find it easier to read, write, and learn, emphasising that teachers are the frontline workers of our society, state, and nation. Without them, nobody can gain knowledge. “What we are today is only because of the teachers,” he said, appealing to all students to study diligently as school life is important and cannot be regained.
In the Tinsukia district-level exhibition, Nabojyoti LP School, Khumchai Cluster, won the first prize, Dibong Bari LP School won the second prize, and Tasir LP School, Margherita, won the third prize. All other schools were felicitated with participation certificates.
Partho Jyoti Baruah, who received the best teacher award on Teachers’ Day from the Tinsukia district administration, and Oli Hazarika, who received the best teacher award from the Margherita sub-divisional administration (civil), were felicitated with appreciation certificates at the exhibition.
The entire programme was moderated by Utpal Konwar, general secretary of the Assam State Primary Teachers’ Sanmeloni.
Our Dibrugarh correspondent adds: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Spear Corps warriors of the Indian Army successfully organised the Red Shield Mini Marathon in eastern Assam, Digboi in Tinsukia on Wednesday.
The event was a resounding success, promoting health, community development, and the timeless Gandhian values of non-violence.
Over 150 participants, including enthusiastic young runners and adults, took part in the marathon, which served as a platform for fostering unity, peace, and active engagement in society.
The participants of the marathon (including women) were divided into two categories, namely 12-18 years, who covered a 5 km run aimed at encouraging youth to embrace fitness and community participation from an early age.
The second category, i.e., above 18 years, participated in an 11 km run that focused on endurance, health, and camaraderie.
As part of the Indian Army’s Sadhbhavna Project, the Red Shield Mini Marathon fostered unity and strengthened communities through active engagement and positive interaction.
The top three winners in each category were awarded medals and cash prizes. All participants were given gift hampers and T-shirts as tokens of appreciation for their involvement.
This event reinforced the Army’s commitment to promoting community welfare, health, and harmony.
Our Gossaigaon correspondent adds: On the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, 31st Bn SSB Gossaigaon organised a significant cleanliness drive under the banner of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2024’ campaign on Wednesday.
The event commenced with a heartfelt tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, followed by a collective pledge to uphold the values of cleanliness and environmental stewardship. Officers, jawans, and local volunteers enthusiastically participated in the drive, demonstrating their commitment to a cleaner and greener India.
The cleanliness drive covered the area from the 31st Bn headquarters to various public areas of the village of Restekpur, where participants engaged in shramdaan, removing litter and ensuring the proper disposal of waste.
Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, commandant of 31 Bn SSB Gossaigaon, as well as LN Singh, deputy commandant, and Dilip Kumar Sarkar, deputy commandant, felicitated the workers engaged in the cleanliness drive with certificates of appreciation. They expressed gratitude to all participants, emphasising the need for and importance of community involvement in achieving the goals of Swachh Bharat.
Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, commandant of 31 Bn SSB Gossaigaon, while distributing the certificates of appreciation, asserted, “Our collective efforts are a tribute to the vision of Mahatma Gandhi and a step towards realising a clean and healthy India.”
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the pledge to maintain cleanliness and promote sustainable practices in daily life. The success of this drive highlights the power of collective action and the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi’s principles, added Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, commandant of 31 Bn SSB Gossaigaon.
Our Bureau adds: Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya led the state in paying rich floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on the occasion of the 155th Gandhi Jayanti at Sarania Ashram in Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust in the city here on Wednesday.
Paying his rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Governor Acharya said that Gandhi Ji’s ideals of truth and non-violence are sources of inspiration for generations. His non-violent mode of the freedom struggle against foreign rule earned India its independence. The Governor also said that Gandhi Ji’s pursuits of cleanliness, women’s empowerment, self-reliance, farmers’ rights, as well as his stance against untouchability, social discrimination, and illiteracy, have left an indelible mark on the nation.
Referring to Gandhi Ji’s vision of empowering people living at the grassroots, the Governor hailed the state government for launching Orunodoi 3.0 and said that the scheme has the potential to lend capacity and dignity to all women, including the underprivileged. He said that the scheme is a pioneering initiative benefiting lakhs of people in the state and elevating their socio-economic status.
Acharya also said that visiting the Sarania Ashram is like a pilgrimage for him. He moreover said that the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi Ji on January 9, 1946, where he spent three days, serves as a poignant reminder of India’s rich heritage. “Its preservation is a collective responsibility requiring active citizen participation,” added the Governor.
Acharya also called upon the present generation to follow Gandhi Ji’s teachings. He moreover said that Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and teachings are very relevant even today, which can provide answers to several modern-day problems. He also asked the younger generation to imbibe the ideals put forward by Gandhi Ji. Acharya also planted a sapling in the premises of the ashram on the occasion.
Nayan Bhandari Sharma, trustee of the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, along with other Gandhians, was present on the occasion.
It may be noted that in another program held at Raj Bhavan, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, along with the officers and staff of Raj Bhavan, paid floral tributes to Gandhiji and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary. Commissioner and secretary to the Governor, SS Meenakshi Sundaram, administered the non-violence pledge on the occasion.
Similarly, the fortnight-long Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign, 2024, concluded over the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) with a focus on spreading the message of cleanliness and environmental sustainability. This campaign started on September 16 and ended on October 2, marking the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission and culminating on Swachh Bharat Diwas, i.e., Gandhi Jayanti, as a tribute to the Father of the Nation. During the conclusion programme of the Swachhata campaign on Wednesday at the NF Railway Headquarters, Maligaon, all officers and staff were present and participated in a mass cleanliness drive. A large-scale cleanliness drive was carried out in the Maligaon area, and the programme concluded with a floral tribute to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. Chetan Kr Shrivastava, GM/NFR, and Arun Kr Chaudhary, GM/NFR (Con), led their respective teams of officials during the cleanliness drives. Similar programmes were also held in all five divisions.
The Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign presents an opportunity for all citizens, partners, and stakeholders to take part and make Swachhata a way of life. NFR encouraged all passengers, employees, and local communities to participate in this campaign, following a ‘Whole of Society Approach’, with an emphasis on people’s participation, making ‘sanitation everyone’s business’.
In line with the objectives of Indian Railways (IR), NFR completed a comprehensive schedule of activities to ensure active participation and a measurable improvement in cleanliness across its zones. Starting with a Swachhata Pledge at its headquarters on the opening day, these activities included an extensive cleanliness drive at all its offices and institutional buildings, railway stations under its jurisdiction, trains, railway colonies, and surrounding areas, with special attention given to prominently used locations. Additionally, the campaign focused on maintaining clean railway platforms, tracks, toilets, and drainage systems within station premises, as well as Pay & Use toilets, waiting rooms, and other railway facilities, which are routine areas of concern for NFR.
Moreover, NFR is actively supporting the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) initiative by setting up RRR centers for collecting and processing waste materials, promoting the responsible disposal and recycling of goods. Efforts are underway to encourage the sale of recycled products, demonstrating the railway’s commitment to a circular economy and waste reduction. To ensure a comprehensive approach, the Swachh Food Initiative is also being emphasised, focusing on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in food preparation and distribution across railway platforms and trains. As part of Swachhata Pakhwada, Nukkad Natak performances were carried out by employees of HQ and members of Bharat Scouts and Guides, highlighting the Swachh Bharat theme.
