'Bodofa' Upendranath Brahma's Death Anniversary Observed with Social Distancing in Kokrajhar

Kokrajhar, May 1, 2020:

Amid the maintenance of strict social distancing protocol, the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and other Bodo community members recalled contributions of 'Bodofa' Upendra Nath Brahma, the most influential student leader in the Bodo-dominated region of Assam, on his 30th death anniversary.

Observing the occasion at his burial ground in Thulungapuri Dotma in Kokrajhar, the Kokrajhar ABSU leader Janak Ujir hoisted the union flag at half mast followed by rich floral tributes to the departed leader of the Bodos.

The who's who of the region turned up at the site to recall the contributions made by Brahma. ABSU president Dipen Boro, United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) president Pramod Boro, former MP and Sahitya Akademi award winner Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Assam Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, former MLA Pradip Kumar Brahma, former BTC MCLA Jyotirindra Brahma and several others were present.

Former Rajya Sabha MP and Sahitya Akademy award winner, UG Brahma, lavished praise on his former comrade and recalled his contribution to Bodo society.

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Brahma, who is a former president of ABSU and ex-president of United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), recalling Bodofa’s contribution towards Bodos and other downtrodden communities in the region, said that Bodo society has reached an advanced stage due to the contributions of the Bodofa.

Terming Bodofa as a "messiah", Brahma recalled that the Bodoland movement was started by the student leader. Brahma said that it was Bodofa's movement that prompted the Central Indian leaders to invite the Bodo leaders for round-table talks and led to the signing of Accords.

Brahma said that he was associated with Bodofa during the Bodoland movement and till today, he remembers his dedication and contribution towards Bodo people as well as towards the other downtrodden communities in the state. "I recall his contribution and dedication today. I met him closely during his students' union work during his life", Brahma added.

Meanwhile, former ABSU president Pramod Boro said that Bodo people are still recalling the contributions of Bodofa Brahma every year and recalled his contributions during his death anniversary. "We have urged the state government as well as the BTC administration to include Brahma’s birth anniversary on the government holiday list as students' day, but there has been no response thus far."

Boro further added that Bodofa as a student leader had brought about remarkable changes in the lives of the downtrodden through the Bodoland movement.

It is to be mentioned here that Upendra Nath Brahma, regarded as “father of the Bodos”, was born on March 31, 1956, and died on May 1, 1990. As a student leader, Brahma spearheaded the “Bodoland” movement with the mantra “live and let live”.

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