RANGIYA, May 7 � The bilateral relations including trade ties between the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and India have been traditionally close for decades. However, stagnation in business exchange especially at places adjoining east Bhutan border near Rangiya, Nagrijuli, Tamulpur etc; have kept the small businessmen here worried. After signing of the first ever friendship treaty in 1865 between India and Bhutan, relations with Assam had been very conducive. With the eastern part of Bhutan lying very close to Rangiya subdivision in Kamrup district, people had been familiar with the neighbouring country�s people ,customs, and benefited from the country�s trade business.
Darranga Mela, was a hub of different small businesses , which seems to have come to a temporary halt due to various problems mainly because of the insurgency one. Till recently before combined force of Indian and Royal Bhutan Army carried on the �Operation All Clear� against insurgents of banned ULFA, NDFB, and BLT taking shelter in Bhutan, there was the normal trade between both the countries at Darranga mela site. However after the action both, there was a temporary halt in free economic exchange as before.
Mentionably, it was through Darranga mela here, that essential commodities including rice, oranges, woolen garments etc; were traded. After temporary halt in business. East Bhutan has now opted for West Bengal for procuring various raw, and finished products for its use. Bhutan businessmen have opted for other places for exchange of vital items like dal, clothes and machineries, etc; from Indian market. Also, many of the local businessmen are concerned here that Rangiya has lost out on trade items like gypsum material from Bhutan, coal, and other at valuable forest goods the exchange of which between Bhutan and to India is going on regularly. Opting distant places for procuring for essential goods from India by Bhutanese people has affected the economic development of this place. As, there was a strong business relationship albeit on a small scale in the border areas,people of Rangiya, Tamulpur, Nagrijuli etc;. Samrupjonghar, Darranga near Bhutan, and at other bordering areas were greatly benefited. Based on the recently held 16th SAARC summit at Thimphu, Royal Bhutan Government and the Government of India should consider strengthening the relations between both the countries and give ample scope of earning of livelihood to the people of both the countries by restoring the business hubs at places like Darrranga mela.
Awareness camp: Under the aegis of Social Development Association, a non govt registered body of Bihapara near here, in association with MSMEDI, Guwahati, a day long entrepreneurship awareness meet was held here at Dholkuchi LP school premises recently. Nearly 50 educated unemployed youths of the locality, who participated in the said awareness camp were apprised of different facts relating to entrepreneurship and small scale industries.
The meet was also attended by the former DI of schools, Rangiya Didar Hussain, who also spoke in this regard. National level awardee Hitendra Sarma, village head of Bihapara Rammohan Boro, former principal of Rangiya HS School Paresh Ch Dutta, beside office bearers of the body, and local people were present on the occasion.
