Almost six years back, an advanced stage pregnant Purnima (name changed) a resident of a flood-hit village in Demow, Sivasagar fell ill and was behaving awkwardly. Many of her family members and neighbours, thinking she might have been possessed by a witch, abandoned her. When Meenakshi Chetia, an ASHA worker under Demow Block, got the news, she managed a boat and rushed to Prunima’s house braving floods.
“As soon as I reached the place, I checked her pressure which was quite high. Her family members and neighbours thought she had been possessed. They didn’t take her to hospital,” Meenakshi recalled the day while speaking to Asom Barta, adding, “After a lot of persuasion I took her to a hospital in Demow. She was later referred to Assam Medical College and Hospital (Dibrugarh) where she received treatment. Though her life was saved, her child could not be. After two years, she gave birth to a healthy child.”
Purnima is not an exception. There are many Purnimas for whom Meenakshi Baideo is an angel on earth. She walks the extra mile to offer help to pregnant women in institutional delivery.
For acts like these, the Government of Assam awarded her the title ‘Assam Gaurav’ for 2023. “Award is a validation of the work we do at the grassroots. I have no words to thank the Government of Assam for considering me for the award. It will inspire me to work more for society,” she told this reporter over phone.
She, among many others, received the State’s highest civilian awards awarded in three categories representing various sectors. ‘Assam Saurav’ and ‘Assam Bhaibhav’ being the other two. Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi was awarded the highest civilian award of the State called ‘Assam Baibhav’. In the ‘Assam Saurav’ category, Dr Kishan Chand Nauriyal (Archaeology), Elvis Ali Hazarika, (Swimming), Hima Das (Athletics), Nadiram Deuri (Tiwa Dance exponent) were awarded.
Nadiram Deuri while talking to this newsletter recollected thus: “In 1975, there was a programme in Jagiroad where there was no cultural troupe. That is when I decided to form my own group and started popularising Tiwa culture and traditions. In 1976, the group performed for the first time in Latasil Bihu, since then there has been no looking back.”
In the career spanning over four decades, Deuri has written a Tiwa grammar book Tiwa Mad Chinjiwa in 1991; released the first Tiwa folk and modern song audio cassette in 1995 and penned a textbook on Tiwa dance- Barat Tiwa Folk Dance in 2022.
Organic farmer Neelam Dutta was at a loss of words while expressing his joy to this reporter after getting the ‘Assam Gaurav’ award. “My father was a doctor. In 1976, he left his job to involve himself full time with agriculture. He established an agricultural farm called Lakshmi Agriculture Multipurpose Project. In 2001 after his death, my mother and I took the responsibility of the farm.”
He said that he converted the farm to organic in the year 2003 and has reaped rewards ever since.
“In 2018, the farm was registered as Pabhoi Greens. Pabhoi Greens has provided employment to many youths. When youths show interest in taking up agriculture as a profession, there will be a new wave of development in the economy of the State and the country,” Dutta told Asom Barta.
The award for India’s first female mahout Parbati Baruah was long due. A hardcore nature lover, she considers elephants and forests as her best friends since her childhood days. As if to vindicate the State Government. she was also aarded Padma Shri recently by the Government of India.
“My father Prakritish Chandra Baruah, a noted elephant expert, was my mentor. I made my first attempt to catch elephants in Kachugaon when I was only 14, and later got fully involved,” Parbati recalled.
“I have been teaching this art in different parts of the State as well as in North Bengal. I am often invited to train others, especially in Bengal. This science needs greater appreciation,” the elephant ‘catcher’ said.
