The 70th Independence Day celebrations is round the corner. It is sad that though the nation has progressed on many fronts, development has not reached the far flung Northeast states of India. Sarika takes a hard look at the grim flood situation in Assam that has affected 90,000 people. More than 257 villages across Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat, Golaghat, and Morigaon are marooned. Flood washed away roads, damaged crops, took a heavy toll on lives. A report in Different Truths.
The 70th Independence Day of India is round the corner, and we all set for gala celebrations. In schools and colleges attendance is mandatory both for teachers and students. Children are ready with their speeches, cultural programs, parades. Almost every apartment is busy with rehearsals- patriotic dance, drama, songs and many more. Shopping malls are offering extra discounts, for some people it is an extended weekend. Why not? My country is shining in many aspects – sports, education, economics, health care, science and technology, infrastructure, transportation, awareness; you just name it!
However, at this time there are certain problems, which is still pushing the country behind, like the way Assam is still struggling with age old problem flood. This year almost 90,000 people have been affected in the fresh floods across Assam. More than 257 villages across Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat, Golaghat, and Morigaon are marooned. These are inundated. Flood washed away roads, damaged crops, took a heavy toll on lives.
Flood in Assam is not a new phenomenon, every year some parts of the state faced bitter experience due to devastating flood which caused by the mighty river Brahmaputra. Assam has been deprived of many basic amenities since independence on the top of that every year the state has been battered by floods and hence nearly half a million people rendered homeless this year also.
Flood is very common in Assam during every monsoon, and the worst part is that there is no permanent solution for it. The state is known for its natural beauty, land of hills and two rivers Barak and Brahmaputra flow along with their tributaries. The paddy fields filled with different shades of green and yellow which provoke many visitors and also invite different types of birds too along with soothing music; but everything changed and turns into dreadful scenario.
Born and raised in upper Assam, although not directly affected by the curse but have seen the adverse effects of climate, which has changed the geography of the state. People lost their properties, assets, lives millions of people turns into refugees, and these lead them to illegal means of earning. Have seen many unskilled Assamese boys migrate to cities like Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi for better economic opportunities.
Both Barak and Brahmaputra are very important river of the state, but because of torrential downpour these rivers turns into disaster. 
During summer the state faced scarcity of fresh water and during monsoon overflow of water – what an irony. Both the rivers are beautiful in their own way, but during monsoon they turn wild and flow berserk.
Usually the media plays most important role in spreading awareness, but in this case media is quite shy to cover this news regularly. I really feel Assam have been always neglected, to be precise entire north- east. Not only from flood relief point but also from other aspects like, entertainment, sports, employment opportunities, infrastructure, transportation.
I just hope there would be a tighter bond between NE states and other states of India.
©Sarika Sarkar Das
Pix from Net.
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