Assamese looking forward to a better tomorrow following militancy decline

GUWAHATI - The decline of militant activities in the northeast has given a fillip to development activities and employment generation here, and this is gradually transforming the lives of those staying in rural areas.

A lot of changes are taking place in Maloibari village of Assam’s Kamrup District, which mainly consists of indigenous Assamese people.

Most of the residents here are engaged in paddy cultivation. Fish farming is another major occupation.

“Most of the people here are farmers; they also practice fish farming, and grow crops especially mustard,” said Kaushik, a villager.

“The educated and the uneducated youth, rather than running after jobs have taken up agriculture, fish and cattle farming. Some have also taken up poultry and are showing the way forward to the new generation,” added Chanda Malakar, another villager.

The village now has most of the basic amenities, which they have obtained under various government schemes.

Better and improved infrastructure has given a fillip to small trading activities and commerce.

Water is no more a problem for people of Maloibari village, who now receive a regular supply.

Education of the children is, however, a major concern for the villagers. Most children have to either walk or cycle to nearby places to study, as the village does not have a school.

“In our village almost all basic facilities are available - like good roads, which was not the case earlier. Also the youth here are enthusiastic about getting an education and becoming self-dependent. Most of them want to join the army. I want to be an engineer,” said Kaushik.

Many young people in the village are enthusiastic about culture and want to become theatre artists and classical dancers. They have organized small ‘Jatra clubs’, where students are trained in these vocations.

“As far as my village is concerned most of them are farmers. But many people are associated with cultural activities. There are NAAM, Ojapali, JATRA groups that train students. Here we are involved with theatre. I like acting and want to be an actress in the future,” said Bornali Kalita, an artist.

“In this greater Maloibari nearly everyone is engaged in some form of art and culture. There are various dance and singing troupes,” added Nava Kalita, another artist.

Maloibari and its nearby areas were earlier affected by militancy, but now the region is witnessing a rapid transformation and is looking forward to a better tomorrow. (ANI)