Being 'Assamese': the trilogy of sacred existence

Being 'Assamese': the trilogy of sacred existence
by Dr Pallavi Deka

   Search for ethnic identity has been a continuous process in the politics of North East India,whether it be be the tribals or lately by the Assamese community in the Brahmaputra plains. This article throws up valuable insights on the whole complex issue of cultural and political assimilation of the people of Assam.

Source: Assam Tribune 8th June 2015

DOWNLOAD

Accountability of Media and self-regulation

Accountability of Media and self-regulation
by Dalim Phukan

From the role of crusaders to hegemons, media is perhaps the greatest factor governing our lives. More than the State machinery, it is the media that has now begun to command the total devotion of masses in the day to day lives. But lately the dark spot  of media bully ism, managed news and propaganda news has cast doubt on the entire spectre of Media's role towards the society. This article within its limited frame underlines the need for Media regulation; which is much needed for the survival of a free,just and liberal society.

Source: Assam Tribune 20th June 2015

DOWNLOAD

Assam's Governance : An analysis

Does the sleaze trail end here?
The Beaten Track Columns by DN Bezboruah

An insightful article on the governance of Assam by the noted journalist DN Bezboruah. This article analyses the 15 year tragectory of the present government. The Ups and the Downs and the future ahead.

Source: Assam Tribune 30th June 2015
Download

Teaching the poor to behave

Teaching the poor to behave: http://m.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/teaching-the-poor-to-behave/article7368130.ece

Sustainable development and neocolonialism

Sustainable development and neocolonialism
by Prasenjit Bujar Baruah
  How do you position the concepts of Sustainable Development in this present day Capitalist economy??
Is sustainable development merely a utopian concept ??
  In this wonderful article the author brings out the practical application and scope for further study into these two concepts.

Source: The Assam Tribune, 3 January 2014

DOWNLOAD

Playing politics with Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act

Playing politics with AFSPA by Patricia Mukhim

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 has been a topic of endless debates and conflicts in North EAst India. In this article Patricia Mukhim brings out some unknown facets of this legislation in North East. She argues that "the Chief Ministers of Assam and Manipur have used the AFSPA as a political instrument. It is no secret that politicians have an unholy alliance with militant outfits of varied hues."

Source: The Assam Tribune, 4 June 2015.

DOWNLOAD

A detailed analysis of the Act is available here

Future of Philosophy

Future of Philosophy Dr Jyotsna Bhattacharjee  

Philosophy has been defined as the "the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline." Every subject dwells on it, and perhaps it is the most herculean task in interpreting this topic. In this wonderful piece of writing Dr Jyotsna Bhattacharjee discusses how clearly our own understanding of Philosophy is static and the relevance of this field for humanity.

Source: The Assam Tribune 5 April 2015

DOWNLOAD

Bihu songs and the Ryot Sabha

Bihu songs and the Ryot Sabha  by  Dr Anjan Saikia


      The role of Culture in social conciousness has been a topic of Social/Cultural Geography. In freedom struggle of our nation too, if Ganesh puja was promoted by BG Tilak to bring social cohesion amongst people to fight the Britishers, in Assam too Bihu played a similar role. This fact is eludicated well in this article by Dr Anjan Saikia.
   Bihu played an important part in mobilizing a strong democratic front and integrity that emerged from the rural areas of the Brahmaputra Valley through the Ryot Sabha. From that point of view  we may draw that the Bihu ,songs were able to establish strong integrity among the rural masses through the Ryot Sabha which later on contributed to the freedom struggle against the British Government.

Source: The Assam Tribune 14 April 2015

Download

Witch hunting in Assam and possible remedies

Witch hunting in Assam and possible remedies by Dr Jyoti Prasad Saikia

Witch hunting is a buming social problem in Assam at present This practice of victimizing men and women
under the suspicion of practising witchcraft represents a pathology that has existed in our society for a very long time. However, it is seen that in recent times, the propensity of this evil practice has increased manifold.

to continue reading .... Download
Source: The Assam Tribune, 26 March 2015.

Connectivity, mobility and the North-east

Connectivity, mobility and the North-east    Dr Pahi Saikia


       For the growth of a region, the role of Infrastructure is paramount. This article brings out the role of North East India in bringing the South East Asia closer to India, also raising in a parallel path the importance of good infrastructure in the overall development of the region.

Source: The Assam Tribune, 01 Jun 2015

Download

Assam Public Service Commission: its status

Assam Public Service Commission: its status
Prof Niru Hazarika

Governance is a key pillar in the functioning of a State. Since we stay in a Parliamentary democracy, the actual governance is conducted through the steel frame of bureaucracy. The Chineese are said to be the first to introduce this wonderful system of bureaucracy early one, which though very honourable, was one of the toughest test of intelligence in the then known world. In our country too, highest standards are upholded by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) but what about the similar bodies at the State levels? This article by noted scholar Niru Hazarika, exposes the relevance of the system of Assam Public Service  Commission (APSC) as observed and penned by him.
 He brings out an interesting observation of David Osborne and Ted Gaebler who highlighted clearly the criteria for good governance. Some of the features of good governance are a) Driven by Mission; b) Be Result-oriented; and c) Invest in preventing problems rather than curing crises, etc.
    How far have we achieved the status is desired to be seen.

Download

Adolescent health care: concerns and strategies

Adolescent health care: concerns and strategies
Dr Dharmakanta Kumbhakar

 Preparing adolescents for maturity & adulthood is a big challenges for parents but also teenagers.This aspect of a students life is not taken adequate care by Higher Education Institutions. It has become a norm to blame Western culture for the degradation of students - and in the back burner of it all is the issue of Healthcare amongst the students. This article throws up some significant points which must be considered by all sane person who wishes to pursue career in Counseling and Teaching.

Download:
Courtesy: Assam Tribune , 3 June 2015.

Large dams in the North-east

Large dams in the North-east
by Umesh Tahbildar

A good article that highlights the geological background of NEI and then questions the applicability of Large Dams in NEI.

Download 

One Year of Modi Rule by Akhil Ranjan Dutta

One Year of Modi Rule
by Akhil Ranjan Dutta

A critical analysis on the policy trajectory that have taken place with Narendra Modi assuming the post of Prime Ministership. Governmental policies are crucial for the development or the path a country takes to modify the Economic Geography of the country. Where is India moving ? Which sectors are being focussed and which neglected ? The answers will help us judge the path we take towards the progress of our nation.
    Source: Assam Tribune 26 May 2015

Download

Birth pangs of a new media world

Birth pangs of a new media world
by Ranen Kumar Goswami

A very deep and incisive article which compels us to consider on Media Reforms & have a second opinion on what the media is dishing out to us. As members of the largest democracy in the world, Indians must self introspect the quality of media journalism and the path we have taken towards the nations progress.

The author brings a interesting findings of Charkha. a media research agency found in a survey that only 2% of space in mainstream media was dedicated to cover the livelihood issues of India's largely poor and neglected tribals.

Download Link