GUWAHATI, Dec 29 - Highlighting the significant positive developments in 2017, the All Guwahati Students Union and the Guwahati Unnati Sabha today organised Ashar Asom, an annual event summing up the best of the outgoing year, in the Vivekananda Kendra auditorium here. In Ashar Asom speakers highlight the affirmative sides of the entire year in the fields of politics, science and education, culture, economics, literature and sports.
Speaking on the positive developments in Assam in the field of economics, Dr Surajit Bhagawati, lecturer, Nagaon College underlined the growth and development in the tea sector both in terms of investment and financial inclusion of the tea garden workers. �While big companies have come for investment in the tea sector, setting up of ATMs in the tea garden areas and opening of bank accounts for the tea garden workers have ensured the financial inclusion of the tea communities of Assam,� he said.
Bhagawati also pointed out the increasing trend of self-employment and entrepreneurship among the local youths, which would go a long way in addressing the unemployment issue in the State.
The political side was highlighted by journalist Utpal Barua who termed the anti-corruption drive by the State government the biggest positive political development in the outgoing year. �The Silapathar incident, despite having several aspects to it, brought the Assamese people on to the street for a common cause. The land rights committee headed by Harishankar Brahma, population policy, Pranam scheme for looking after old parents, 7th Pay Commission and abolition of the checkgate system are examples of positive political will,� he added.
Pointing out the silver lining in the science and education sectors, Dr Satyakam Borthakur from Dibrugarh University said the proposal for upgrading the existing colleges in Bajali, Bihpuria and Hojai into universities and that for setting up a university in Majuli would bring about the much needed development in the field of higher education in the State.
Over 80 colleges with single stream would be upgraded to two-stream institutions, giving a wider choice to the students, he said. �Padma award for Assamese scientist Jatindranath Goswami, upgrading the GMCH and Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute and also the involvement of the TATA group in the field of cancer care in Assam are some of the positives the year 2017 offered to Assam,� he further mentioned.
Highlighting the best of 2017 in the literary field, journalist Ankur Deka said that apart from literary developments, Assam witnessed some of the best lectures by eminent personalities from time to time during 2017. �The likes of Shiv Vishwanathan, P Sainath and a number of other writers attended various events and shared their thoughts. The books, which left a lasting imprint on me as a reader included Oja Sangbadik Lakshmi Nath Phookan by Joy Kanta Sarma, Basanti Bashana by Lakshmi Nandan Bora, Asomar Bauddha Kirat by Saumyadeep Dutta and Uttaradhikar edited by Rajesh Kumar Tanti, among others,� he said.
The cultural aspects were highlighted by Atulya Madhab Goswami who expressed satisfaction with the growth and popularity of Assamese cinema both on home turf as well as at the national and international levels.
The works of Assamese filmmakers were appreciated worldwide. Dikshou Bonot Palash, Maj Rati Keteki, Aalifa, Handook, Village Rockstar, The Black Cat, Ishu are the films critically acclaimed world over and winning several awards. He also mentioned about the achievement of the amateur as well as mobile theatres of Assam, he said.
Veteran sports journalist Premadhar Sarma summed up the programme with the positive sides in sports. He made special mention of Ankushita Boro, winner of Women�s World Boxing Championship, Riyan Parag�s selection in the Under 19 cricket World Cup team and success of Hima Das in athletics and Rajani Deuri in wushu.
