Skip to main content

Oct 30 Assam blasts: A reason to be united



Photo: Merinews.com

By Rebati Mohan Sinha, Mumbai


On October 30 in 2008, Assam had witnessed the bloodiest day in its history. Series of bomb blasts in different parts of the state left behind 90 people dead and injuring many. Never before it, had the people of Assam witnessed such calculated dastardly act of terror.

One year has passed. But dreadful memories of the gruesome incident still lingers in people's mind. After one year, the question arises – how we shall remember this day? With anger or grief?  The immeasurable pain that the people of Assam have suffered, forgetting it as another run-of-the-mill terrorist attacks that the country have witnessed, is impossible to go.

Especially for the victims of the bomb blasts, the day will be haunting them every time it will be mentioned, for its sheer horror, for its ceaseless terror that was trailing on this very day. For us who were glued to the television set, it was anger coursing in our veins.

On one hand, the day had brutally revealed the fact how much our lives are insecure in the hands of those who are having the power to protect us, how politicians, the bureaucrats and the system have failed us and our faith. But on the other hand, the day will be remembered for bringing people of Assam together at the time of grief and anguish and standing side by side against divisive politics with a commitment to unite against terrorism.

There are few important questions to ponder upon; are there any recent changes in the Government machinery and in the indifferent attitude of sleeping politicians of the state and the center? Do they awake to their duties towards citizens?

The law is OK in its place. There is no need to change the laws, what is lacking is attitude towards it. The State resources to counter such   instances are inadequate. There is need to overhaul the whole strategy, there is a need to modernize the police force, allocation of sufficient funds, and better coordination of state and center intelligence agencies. Last not the least, establishing a crisis management team which can be pressed to action at the time of crisis.

As a Bishnupriya Manipuri of Assam, where my brethren also fallen victim to the bomb blasts, I would like to remember October 31 as the beginning of a new politics of India and Assam in particular. A politic that looks beyond the policy of hate and divisiveness. A politic that could help us to build up a strong, secure, brave nation unwavering before the scourge of terror. A politic not driven by lies and corruption.    

Today is Thanksha (Saturday)


What next?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sri Sri Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur

By Ranita Sinha, Kolkata Sri Sri Bhubaneshwar Thakur, the great saint of the Bishnupriya Manipuri Community was born on 26th October, 1871, in a remote village of Cachar district called Baropua in the state of Assam. He was born to a Xatriya Manipuri family. His father Sri Sanatan Pandit was a Sanskrit teacher and mother Srimati Malati Devi, a house wife. Sadhu Baba from his childhood was indifferent to all worldly happenings. He was engrossed in chanting the name of Lord Krishna. Along with other students of his age, Sadhu Baba started taking lessons of grammar and other spiritual literature from his father. At a very young age he lost his mother but he was brought up with utmost love and care by his step mother. At the age of eighteen, Sadhu baba lost his father, so, to continue his spiritual education under the guidance of Rajpandit Mineshwas Swarbabhwam Bhattacherjee, he went to Tripura. But within one year he made up his mind to visit all the holy places and as such he took permis

Assam Search Engine: Bisarok

Exclusive search engine on Assam Manash Pratim Gohain, TNN Jun 16, 2012, 01.46PM IST NEW DELHI: Assam got its own search engine ' Bisarok '. The search engine has been launched to get results exclusively on queries and information related to Assam. 'Bisarok', means 'to search' in Assamese language, has been launched and has been linked to various websites of the Government of Assam and departments, educational institutions and media. The search engine is likely to give a new online experience related to searches on Assam. Built on Google custom search engine, the search engine would be collating and building a database of web properties exclusively of the state in the North East region. 'Bisarok' has been developed by RK Rishikesh Sinha, who had earlier created a similar custom search engine ('Bisarei') on Bishnupriya Manipuri. According to Sinha, apart from Google there was no link to get results particularly on Assam. Any web entity related

A short history of the Bishnupriya Manipuri and their religio-cultural consciousness

Undoubtedly, the accurate period of the emergence or the development of religious consciousness of the Bishnupriya Manipuri is difficult to ascertain, but it is an old one that is undoubted, writes Rini Sinha , Guwahati . Religious beliefs are found virtually in every human society. Religious beliefs usually relates to the existence and worship of a deity or deities and divine involvement in the universe and human life. Religious knowledge according to religious practitioners may be gained from religious leaders, sacred texts or personal revelation. The development of religion has taken many forms in various cultural communities. The accurate period of emergence or development of religious consciousness of the Bishnupriya Manipuries is difficult to ascertain, but it is an old one that is undoubted. However, on the basis of the views of different scholars, pre-historic and historical remain whatsoever is available and from the logic of personal observations, we may put forward some view