For a Green Cause

- Pratisha Borborah

With the State's environment perennially in a shambles, how profound and meaningful are the countless ways in which we celebrate the World Environment Day asks Pratisha Borborah.

When floods are creating a havoc not only in the capital city of Assam but also destroying and demolishing hundreds of homes and villages in Upper Assam every year, it is time to pause and react. When rhinos are being killed and least attention is given by the government to stand against these ruthless poachers, it is time to question. When the legendry Brahmaputra River is getting polluted day by day, it is time we march against it. So with the whole world celebrating World Environment Day on 5th June, should we celebrate too when we clearly know our environment is in the most degrading state.

Today someone may easily define Guwahati as a bustling city with Water Park like Accoland, shopping malls like Big Bazar, Pantaloons movie multiplexes like Cinemax, Fun Cinemas, top eateries like Pizza Huts, KFC, Dominos etc.. vying with one another to provide the extrs dosse of fun and entertainment to those sections of the people who seem to enjoy the maximium benefits that are to be deprived in a major emerging economy like India. Thus the Guwahatians are turning to be stylish, brand and status conscious. Even education scenerio has also entered a brand- driven race where students need to think twice and thrice before taking admission. A little beyond the city periphery, one can see beautiful resorts in Sonapur, Kaziranga etc. Having a lavish and comfort life style is just what everyone thinks today. But is this the real picture of what true Guwahati is (or was). Is this the real definition for Assam to be defined? This is what French Sociologist Jean Baudrillard says Hyper-reality in post modern society. With developed technology and management giving us so much of happiness and comfort that we try to ignore the rest. Now if you think you want to continue reading the article, just avoid all these temporary happiness and look around your city.

With the onset of monsoon, rain can be a relief from hot summers for many but think about those whose houses and villages get drowned every year. Dhemaji and other parts of upper Assam are today habituated to bear the brunt of the wrath of the Brahmaputra again and again. With the speedy erosion of Majuli by the mighty Brahmaputra, time is very near when existence of a place called Majuli in Assam will just be a history or may be myth. Hence, those people who are self sufficient and depend on their own agricultural fields for their livelihood had to migrate to places of opportunity like Guwahati and struggle for shelter and food. But, can Guwahati be a better place to live today. With heavy rainfall, people residing in G.S road, Zoo Road, Ganeshguri etc had to see the hard days of their life. Not only roads and houses are submerged, but number of accidents occurs those days. With the worst drainage system and open manholes, newspapers are flooded with news about people getting drowned in the drains. Now, leaving aside the artificial flood, just take a visit to Ganeshguri, Fancy bazaar, Hatigaon any time of the day. These are some fixed places where garbage is dumped openly and freely, even though you will also see big posters with a metaphorical line “Keep Your City Clean and Green”. If we ignore the clean part, I would like to ask which part of Guwahati is green except the Guwahati University area. Hardly trees are seen in the rest of the city between the midst of huge buildings, offices, and over bridges occupying their places. Friends, lets now enter our Historic Zoo cum Botanical Garden that was once a pride of Guwahati. Even though it has lost its charm with passing days, it is over flooded with people, especially couples who consider it to be a dating spot or what some of my friends call it “Lovers Point”. Guwahatians are romantic, no doubt about it but at times display of romances give a disturbing view for the tourists who are unknown about it. Would not it be better idea to keep for the animals, birds and plants to have their own life atleast there rather being ruined? The place which was once a holiday spot for every child is just left to get worsen day by day.

Here, it is time to bring back the scenic beauty of Guwahati. The Mighty Brahmaputra that witnessed the historic war of the Ahoms with Mughals is all polluted. The river banks turning into picnic spots are destroying the natural beauty it once had. Save it before it turns to be the next Yamuna River. It is time to give a serious thought and work for the environment, not in words but in action. A lot to do with less amount of time and rather than waiting for the governments for a better Guwahati which will just be another hyper real adventure, it is better for the youth to come forward. It is not that Guwahati needs us in fact we need Guwahati. It is time to realise and wake up.

- The Assam Tribune | Horizon | Pg 1 | June 7 edition | http://ow.ly/lNnvi

Gandhi Jayanti: The dilapidated Gandhi Mandap.

-  Saurav Biswas.

Situated on the top of the Sarania Hill, the 42 year old two storeyed structure Ashram cuts a very sorry state of the Institution. Dedicated to the people by Smt. Late Indira Gandhi on 2nd October, 1970 was aimed to carry out Gandhian ideals & research work. But as said a lot happens on paper, nothing has happened in practical. The place has become a haven for petty crimes & activities due to lack of security. A wireless station is located behind the Ashram but that doesn't serve the purpose of security to the Institution.

The Ashram is looked after by a single caretaker who gets a monthly salary of just mere ` 2500 / month. When we asked him on how he manages with the money he just glanced at the skies and passed a smile onto us. We came to know that his father was also the caretaker of the Ashram & so he took over the job due to his father's old age.  On discussing the problems faced, what came into light was about the water scarcity, the garden lacked an expert attention, illegal encroachment on the Sarania Hill & lack of infrastructure in building up the Library situated on the first floor of the Ashram.  

Still every year the Ashram gets a fresh coat of paint before the Gandhi Jayanti & our administration pays their formal visit to grab the newspaper headlines. Earlier elderly & young group of people visited the place for morning walks, but now its quiet rare to find someone. There has been decrease in the number of visitors which strongly indicates that either the place has lost its charm and glamour or the way to Ashram has been narrowed under thick forest.

In this way if things roll on, then perhaps the glory of the Institution would be found only on books & webpages. Scenario would have been different if things shaped up nicely with hard & strict administration. It is also painful to learn that inadequate funds for the maintenance of the Ashram & its employees led to the crisis.

Hopefully if the citizens, organisations & the administration come together & join towards the BUILD UP, we may soon see the place regaining its lost glory. At present, we can just glance at the silver lining & hope that it really happens for sure. 

“The camera is a great medium to get close to Mother Nature”

- Uttam Kalita.

In this competitive age we are so busy with ourselves that we often fail to enjoy the beautiful creation of nature. Photography helps to draw our attention towards this fascinating creation and find solace from our hectic schedule. It adds another dimension to the entire beautiful thing around us by capturing nature’s gift in all its purity for us.

Whenever we see a beautiful a painting we praise the painter for creating such an amazing masterpiece. Similarly in case of Photography photographs are the masterpieces and photographers are the ones who bring Excellency in them. 

As for me, Photography started as my hobby and slowly turned into my passion and my profession. I was so involved in my hobby that I myself didn’t know how and when it became my passion. It gives me immense pleasure, ultimate joy, complete satisfaction in capturing some beautiful moments .It is in just inexplicable. Whenever I go I never feel bored as my best friend “my camera” is always there with me to capture the precious moments of time. 

As far as my Subject of photography is concerned, I am interested in nature and wildlife photography, I even shot theme base photographs, and Butterflies are one of my favorite models (object). I always appreciate their poses and their attitude which gives new dimensions in nurturing the creativity in me. They never fail to make my pixels the most popular and adorable one. Black and white photographs are my favorite. It expresses what I see and feel more effectively than color ones. I love to create street photographs too which speaks out various facets of life. I find myself framing everything around me and taking a picture of it in my mind. 

During my childhood, I love to stand in front of camera, but the scenario changed when I reached my college life. I took up camera in my hand and unexpectedly got positive responses from every one. Since then I have been involved in Photography and very satisfied in this carrier option.

I would like to compare my feelings of owning my first camera to that of a child getting his favorite toy demanded by him, it was simply immeasurable. In fact it was the most memorable day as it was on my 20th birth day. I am doubly satisfied as it was the result of my tireless effort to possess my precious friend. In fact, I tried very hard and worked till late night to afford it. 

   My current camera is Fujifilm S3300 which is good enough for me right now. I would love to upgrade to the Cannon 7D but being a student it is quite not possible for me to buy it right now however I definitely see myself capturing my objects with this in the near future. My ideal would be a DSLR which would give me a lot of freedom and control of the settings.

My first achievement was when I received “Photographer of the month” at enajori.com which boosted my determination and encouraged me to relentlessly try to create something new. After this success I got myself immensely involved in this profession and the output is really good, after that I received Grand winner in the 7sisters.in Photography Competition. 

 

I learnt a lot from my senior and fellow photographers, who guided me towards the intricacies of photography. My family members, my friends and my well wishers support is something I can never forget and is the driving force. I am very thankful to all of them. 

Lastly but not the least I would like to show my gratitude to 7 sisters.in for giving me an opportunity to share my views .Moreover there are lots of talented young photographers in Assam. They just need a good platform to showcase their talent and to fly high with colors taking this profession as their carrier option. 

  My endeavor is always in making my photographs speak and feel rewarded when someone identifies the same feeling with which I have captured those moments and I commit to try my utmost to offer some memorable works in my field.

The social medium and the revelation of the revolution.

- Abhilash Sharma.

The use of the internet, mainly the site for social fraternity and friendship has increased than anything else on the web. The new sites which give users the option of sharing and spreading their posts, videos etc. has flourished. But to what extent can the social medium be considered as effective?

To a very high level if you know how much the simple act of sharing your views has brought better and needed changes in the world !!

The use of the social medium is not merely to chat, share thoughts or make friends. It has grown in such a huge number that it can pose as a way to shake the mightiest institution, which has been seen in some parts, in Middle East part of the continent, where political leaders were changed on the power of the media.

Uses of the internet have been to many level, but the way it has been in the online way is more than any more used. When  a young teenager joins a social site, the person has his motive on to make more friends. It was this a few years before people changed the way they thought of social sites. They started to use these to put their views and they made it more than just teen based sites, the online world was becoming more than simple socializing. It was the better but not thought of usage of the web. Those who had no interest in world affairs began to be aware of the political situation in their country, the ideas which were earlier only to those who could spread them began to be among the entire mass of the country, simple it is but they got one means of being with their countrymen. While the leaders could not gather idea about the power that the tech generation has achieved and they were in a path they knew least. For a change the young minds had an edge of information over older leaders. A country had changed their leaders by the use of the web social community, and made many leaders to think about the usage of these sites and if they can be monitored for anything which was anti national. These have also made it very important to know the working of the social communities on the world web, if the politicians have to get the ideas of the masses and the issues which are running on the community. The use of these can be also unwise if the same is used to spread malice filled rumor which can affect the society and it’s working. Thus it is needed to check the materials which are circulated on the site for the sake of maintaining the user faith in the web. The most known usage of these are to show the way general mass wants to change in the nation as regarded to issues which they want to be solved and to get control on matters which they think should not be dealt wrongly! The importance the government has shown to certain pending cases has been due to the affect of the online groups. Some issues got solved by the intervention of those communities which spread their ideas on the web, and they made better usage of the connectivity they have. The   government has to even ban and control pages on the internet when they are doing more than they might to affect the young part of the nation. A more informed young country does sound good if it has the ideals in, and knows the bounds it follow...