Journey of life

 That day was 9th January 1995. I was 26 years old and in Jorhat with my mother and brother Dhon. Kaustubh, my husband was in Kinshasa, RD Congo for his job. In Jorhat load shedding was very common, so my mother used to keep a lamp on whole night. She was also keeping all the nessasary things beside the bed in the room so that we can go immediately as soon as we get a hint. She stiched many cotton napkins, flannel blankets, knitted baby sweaters and all. My mahi also stiched many small froks for baby though we didn't know whether the baby will be boy or a girl. She also keeping the phone number ready to call a driver to take me to the hospital. Finnaly, around 7:30 pm I felt a little pain and it was slowly unbearable. Ma immediately called Billu, a Punjabi- Assamese person from JPR road to drive us to a hospital. My bag was ready with a SLR camera, warm clothes, night wear, and many baby clothes, blankets and the little sweaters and booties that I made for the baby . Me, ma and Dhon( Debabrata) rushed to Agarawala Nursing Home, Jorhat. There were two narrow beds in the room with a trolley. The room had a attached bathroom too. Ma stayed whole night with me but brother returned home. As soon as I have got admitted my Mahi( Rinku& Piku's mom) and Piku came to hospital to visit us. Whole night I was in pain. Because of pain I was not liking people around me to give advice. Suddenly my mahi said ' Every mother in the world went through this pain, even Indira Gandhi went though this situation.' I couldn't stop laughing. Then I realized, yes those beautiful women, leaders whoever have children went though in similar situations. Sometimes the pain was non bearable and sometimes it disappeared. I couldn't sleep property whole night due to pain. Troubling Ma whole night by screaming. Nurses were visiting me and checking on and off. That time my brain was not working, whoever tried to advise me feeling like throwing something to that person. While struggling to get rid of pain, never knew how I became tired and sleepy in wee hours. Next day on 10th January, suddenly I woke up around 6 am by the sound of some morning chores. Finally Dr. Jiten Gogoi, my gynochologist came into the room and told ma that I have to go the operation theatre for c-section. Around 8 am I walked inside the OT room for operation. As I have heart murmur, they gave me oxygen and anasthesiya both. When I woke up from a very deep sleep realized that some people put heavy blankets on me, as I was feeling very cold. They carried me in a strasser and gently placed me in my bed. I was still in half sleep. After some time I heard someone is saying 'Dhuny..Dhuny uth uth..sa toor swali ajoni hoise' ( Dhuny Dhuny..get up ...see you gave birth a girl) . For me it was the best sentence I heard in my life. My brain was foggy, but tried immediately to get up but my tummy was very loose and heavy. Couldn't move my body suddenly. It took a few minutes to support whole body on my left elbow to turn towards the baby. The baby was holding by my Mami Mahi( mother's young er sister). She was not placing beside me as I didn't have strength to pick up the baby. She was holding the beautiful baby in front of me said the baby is mine. I couldn't believe in my eyes. That very fair, bright, soft, pinky cheeks, dark hair doll like baby is mine? My happiness was more than the sky. I wanted to save the moment immediately and looked for the camera. It was just beside me. I picked up and from my sleeping position took the first picture of my baby while Mahi was holding. My brother Hoon( Bedabrata) came from tea garden( work place) to visit us. My sister with whole family reached in the afternoon and we were struggling with names. She immediately gave the baby's name Simy by matching with her son's names Sonu and Chunky. I have got my new title mother.. 

Happy 27th Birthday Simy Beta ! I love you to the Moon and back 😘

 

Importance of knowing the Assamese Language with culture

Assam is a land of beautiful landscapes, culture, and language. There are various reasons one should learn the Assamese language. First, you will understand the difference between Bengali and Assamese. Next time when you meet an Assamese you will not greet by Bengali words, but you will probably say in Assamese- Kenekwa(How are you doing?)or Bhalne(Are you fine/good)? It is not only sweet or welcoming language but, if you visit Assam or meet Assamese people you will feel the warmth and true meaning of caring. There is more than one reason why you wish to visit North-Eastern India-

1. Do you wonder about the world's largest river island? Yes, it is in the middle of the mighty river Brahmaputra in Assam, called Majuli. Majuli is a district with a population of 167,304. Majuli listed as the world's largest river island in the Guinness book of the world's records.

2. Do you want to visit a city with the highest rainfall in the world? You will probably visit Mawsynram in Meghalaya where the world's highest average yearly rainfall is 11,872mm.

3. Which one is the oldest Shakti Pitha temple out of 51 Shakti Pithas in India? The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati is the 8th-century temple and still people visits from different parts of the world.

 4. Do you have a dream to visit the cleanest eco-friendly village in Asia? I would recommend Mawlynnong in Meghalaya where the literacy rate is 100% and where people clean the roads and public places before going to work or schools. Surprised right? Yes, they do.

5. Do you have a dream of witnessing one horn Rhinoceros? Then sure visit Kaziranga National Park, that sanctuary is holding 2/3 population of one horn Rhino with a variety of flora and fauna in the world.

6. Are you wonder where from your morning cup of black tea leaves come from? Yes, from Assam only. Assam has full of lush green Tea Estates and the highest exporter in the world.

7. Did you hear about the Muga silk or Assam Silk? Sualkushi is the silk village of Assam/ India, also called Manchester of East, only a place where weaver makes the finest Muga, Pat, and Ari silk in the world They also grow the Muga and Pat silkworms locally.

 8. Did you ever think about Parashuram Kunda? Parashuram the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu dipped his hand in the water of Lohit River to wash away his sin now known as Parashuram Kunda in Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh.

 Next time when you visit Assam learn about the Bihu festival, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Adil Hussain, Zubeen Garg and Papon. Also, learn the Assamese language to exchange your thoughts and knowledge. Don’t forget to taste Masor tenga, duck curry, khar from the authentic cuisine.

( Pic: Google photo)

Learn Assamese amidst Covid-19

 The whole world has been shut down due to Covid-19. How will you pass your time? Children are away from school and parents are working from home, so this is a golden opportunity to be creative while at home. Why don't you try a new language Akhomiya or the Assamese? This language is from a very beautiful state of North East India called Assam(Okhom). The Assamese language is very simple and easy to learn. Larn this language with your children during this break and surprise your friends and family later. So first look at the letters and repeat and write down on a paper. Try writing your name first, then write parent's names, grandparents, and cities and keep ongoing...Happy language learning break...

               

                     

Assamese Alphabets

         

                       (Pic: Google photo)