From Our Kokrajhar Bureau
Kokrajhar(Assam), April 1 : Amid social distancing during the lockdown period,the 64th birth anniversary of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma,former president of ABSU was observed on Tuesday as “Student Day” at ABSU officeses across the districts of Assam by spreading the messages of social distancing during the nationwide lock down which is in force across the country.
The programme was organised by All Bodo Students Union , Central committee to remember and pay respects to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma,who dedicated his entire life for the cause of the Bodo community and the down trodden communities in the state.
At Bodofa House,ABSU ABSU general secretary Lawrence Islary hoisted the students union flag followed by floral tributes to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma.
Dotma Anchalik committee ABSU members , garlanded the statue of Bodofa at Thulungapuri Dotma .
Several district units and anchalik committees observed the day on Tuesday in their respective offices across the state.
The students leaders ,members were seen maintaining of social distance during the the programme across the state .
Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma born on March 311956 at Boragari Dotma in Kokrajhar and passed away on May 1 , 1990
Bodofa as he is referred led a democratic mass movement for creation of separate Bodoland state within the Indian constitution after holding the position of president of the students union in 1987 and finally Bodo community achieved this dream recently.
ABSU General Secretary ,Islary said that the students union has been observing this day as students day every year in memory of this dynamic and revolutionary student leader from the downtrodden Bodo community and his legacy as a student leader has nurtured the present Bodo society giving a sense of identity and existence.
He said all norms of social distancing to prevent from corona virus (Covid19) was followed in all the ABSU offices across the state .
He recalled contributions of Bodofa Upendra Brahma towards the upliftment and development of the Bodo community and said among all the student movements in the country his tenure as the leader was the strongest.
Despite being a tribal leader he had connections with Adivashis in Jharkand, Gorkhas in Gorkhaland, Rabhas, Garos, Bengalis, and many other downtrodden communities was always well connected on various issues.
He had shown them his capacity as the student leader to overcome their many concerns especially for the welfare of the students.
He was accepted by many in the northeast as the New Messiah of tribal people and spearheaded the student movement after Assam movement with worldwide recognition and awakening, aspiration of tribal autonomy amongst the tribal communities of Assam. His idea of autonomy got recognition in formation of Mising Autonomous Council, Tiwa Autonomous Council and Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council.
All Kachar Karimgang Students Union, Koch-Rajbonghi Samilani, Adivashi students Association were all unitedly pursued by Late UN Brahma. As a Student Leader he was well connected with the Tripura Students Federation and Naga Students Federation. He also extended his solidarity and support to the Gorkha, Telangana and Jharkhand movements.
He strongly advocated the need of higher technical institutes of learning for the student community. His philosophy of development was based on education for all with high learning scope at the nearest place. He made demands to the government when he was the President of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). He placed demands for establishment of Central Universities, IITs, AIIMs and state medical colleges to enhance the scope and needs of the students of North East region.
He dedicated his entire life as a student leader to cherish the issues and concern for the student fraternity across sections of society in the state. He had extra ordinary zeal and creativity towards literary activities and had written many articles in many journals during his student days.
He had delivered motivational lectures amongst the students especially on the need of knowledge about science and pursuing scientific education. He declined to join the job as income tax inspector when he was selected while he still President of All Bodo Students Union.
He died a student leader until he breathed his last at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital.He died young and won many hearts as he firmly believed and advocated in the words of great German Poet, historian and playwright Friedrich Schiller’s slogan “Live and Let Live ” which is a plea for space to live.
RIP,Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma .
