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Assamese Sikhs enriching literature
03/11/2008
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=mar1108/at09
NAGAON, March 10 – It is an achievement, which would have few parallels in any other part of the country. A martial race has displayed its dedication to the cause of literature. The Assamese Sikhs of Borkola are now an integral part of the fifth special annual convention of Asam Sahitya Sabha at Sankar-Nanak-Ajan Peer Khetra at Dakhinpat.
In the ongoing event, the Assamese Sikh occupied several important posts including vice president and adviser.
Today, Durbar Singh, assistant secretary, reception committee mentioned the role of Assamese Sikh in moulding the history of the region. He said that in 1960, the Sikhs of Nagaon too moulded public opinion. In 1972 and 1974, the Sikhs of Nagaon took part in agitation over language and food supplies.
In the foreigners movement, between 1979 and 1985, the community had two martyrs- Chandan Singh and Karam Singh, he added.
Retired lecturer and academic Pritam Singh noted that the Assamese Sikhs of Borkola have come out in large numbers to participate in the convention. “We are happy to be part of a noble endeavour like this.”
Revealing the roots of the community, he mentioned that his forefathers had come to fight for the Ahom King Chandra Kanta Singha around 1820. Most of them died fighting the Burmese (Maan). The survivors settled in Chapormukh and Borkola.
Later, the Sikh community developed strong ties with the other local communities. In recent times, the community has also witnessed marriage alliances with neighbouring communities.
Their identification with the local Assamese is complete to the extent that their children have studied in Assamese medium schools, and picked up the finer nuances of Assamese language and culture.
No wonder, the Assamese Sikh settlement at Borkola has produced a number of worthy sons and daughters. Quite a few of them have served as academics in colleges and universities. Others have excelled in police service and in administration.
Not just in education, the Assamese Sikhs have done well in farming. And among other crops, sugarcane, out of which is produced the famous jaggery of the region.
Rajbeer Singh, retired additional SP, originally from Borkola said that the present settlement of around 1200 has enjoyed solid ties with people of different ethnicity of the region. “We join together for all the important festivities including Magh Bihu and Rangali Bihu. Guru Nanak Janma Jayanti attracts people from all communities.”
It speaks volumes about the community’s cultural and spiritual consciousness that it has been able to maintain three Gurudwaras where Sikh spirituality and religious practices survive amidst a rural Assamese environment.
-By Prabal Kr Das
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