The Call of the Entrepreneur

The Call of the Entrepreneur 

                                                                                    Ankur Bora

Oftentimes, we have a tendency to daydream, we wonder soaring through the sky, we imagine being cathartic and powerful. However, most often, we remain on the edge never taking that leap of faith. On the other hand, there are individuals, who had the audacity to jump off the cliff, and who risk everything to follow their dreams. And even if they fail, they have the tenacity to get up, dust off, and take the next venture with renewed energy. They are entrepreneurs, who play the most important factor in national economic expansion of a country. They are instrumental in product innovations; they employ or create new technology and thus bring tremendous economic growth.    

Horizon  Assam Tribune on 7th April 2017

The extraordinary growth enjoyed over the several decades by many East Asian countries has amounted to nothing less than an economic miracle. These countries including Taiwan, Japan and South Korea invested heavily in human capital which transformed East Asia into the economics Juggernauts that it is today.   I have always been captivated by these so called “Asian Tigers” – how those once poorest countries emerged amongst the world most productive and richest large economics. My quest led me to a young Assamese who has been working on research involving the economics of these countries.

Dr Rupakjyoti Borah who is currently a visiting research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies , Singapore , is a distinguished expert in International Relations. Rupak was conferred the prestigious Australian Studies Fellowship when he was at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal University, India. Prior to that, he was a visiting Fellow at the Centre of International Studies, University of Cambridge, U.K. in 2009 and holds a Ph.D. from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Rupak has delivered lectures at various international conferences and has published extensively in journals, books, magazines, newspapers and websites both in India and abroad.

At the Jakarta International Defence Dialogue

The highpoint of his academic life till date was when Rupak was invited as a speaker at the Jakarta International Defense Dialogue 2014 along dignitaries including the former Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Mr. H.E. Mr Xanana Gusmao, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Harry B Harris,, former Chief of Navy of Indonesia Admiral Dr. Marsetio,, and the former Australian Defense Minister, David Johnston.

A world away from a small town in Assam where he grew up, Rupak regularly interacts with select international leaders, military heads, academics and policy-makers from all over the world. Between the books and papers, what distinguishes him from others, as I realize, is his worldview. "When I was in school, I used to cycle maybe 14 kms(two-ways) to my maternal uncle's house just to watch BBC.” That spark for learning and innovation is exactly what he had observed when Rupak was working in Taiwan, a country which went from lowest tier of poorest countries into a hi-tech powerhouse, making most of the world's laptops and much of its other consumer electronics.

With Admiral Harris,Commander of US Pacific+Fleet

The willingness to change and a strong entrepreneurial spirit have helped Taiwan transform itself, despite its small population. As Taiwan’s embryonic development began to unfold, thousands of youths and this does include women, began to set up one-man or youthful-partnership companies. Rupak who spent several years in Taiwan, had a prime seat in witnessing the miraculous growth of that country. He made a brilliant observation in his article ‘A Year in Taiwan’. The people of Taiwan value hard work, patience, humility, friendliness and respect for others and their positive attitudes, particularly amongst the young, toward entrepreneurial effort all over Taiwan are enormously beneficial to its economic achievements. Writing from his firsthand experiences Rupak described with telling stories and portraits from the ground how Taiwan, a tiny nation became one of the richest economies in the world.

Book release in Japan

How did Japan rebuild itself and become an advanced nation and a major economic power in the aftermath of the World War II is a miracle. In the 1940s, start-ups like Sony and Honda helped Japan rise from the ashes of war. Self-reliance, infrastructure, free trade and entrepreneurial profits were keys to Japan’s progress. For Japanese students, choosing to become an entrepreneur becomes more common as a career option. When people are free, Japanese believe, “there is nothing in the world that can withstand man’s courage and intellect.”  Rupak has recently been working as a Research Fellow at the Tokyo-based Japan Forum for Strategic Studies and found a great deal of interest with Japanese people and their culture of being industrious, efficient, committed, disciplined and dedication to work. In his recently published book, The Elephant and the Samurai, Rupak takes readers through the close historical ties between Japan and India, how expanding bilateral economic and the people-to-people relations can be an extraordinary positive force for job creation , growth , harnessing science , technology and enhanced prosperity for both counties.  

The world is entering into an era of international integration, technical diffusion, foreign trade and investment – this powerful force of globalization continue to inspire Dr Rupakjyoti Borah. “What I have learnt from my research in Taiwan, Japan and now in Singapore is the importance of discipline, dedication and determination(3D's)--all these places lack natural resources, are small in size, plagued by natural disasters(especially in the case of Japan), but have managed to beat all odds”. As he studies these areas of research, he also urges Assamese youths to leverage the unique aspects of our culture, entrepreneurial skills and competencies and doing things that have never been done before.

                                                                      ankurbora@hotmail.com

Feedback from readers

From: Amal Borah <amal.borah@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, April 9, 2017 4:10 AM

To: ankurbora@hotmail.com

Subject: Request for Information of Dr. Rupakjyoti Borah

Hello Ankur,

I had earlier gone through your Article in the Horizon Section of Assam Tribune on 7th April 2017. It was quite informative and I appreciate your insight on the said topic.

I would be highly grateful if you can share the email address or contact number of Dr. Rupakjyoti Borah since I am interested in setting up an industry based on Taiwanese product technology and know how here in Assam.

Thanks in advance.

Amal Borah

Guwahati

The code of Life

                                                                                                                                                                                              Ankur Bora

Have you wondered why you have black hair or brown eyes while your partner has blue eyes and blonde hair? Or have you come across or observed the animal mule – which is really half horse and half donkey? Have you ever pondered over the question - How are human traits inherited from one generation to the next?

Assam Tribune Horizon 24th February 2017

Whether you have black hair or blue eyes is determined by the genes that you received from your father and mother. These genetic codes or the DNA are instruction manuals which determine all of the traits of living things. Just as blueprints direct the building of a house, DNA molecules contain the genetic instructions used in the development and the functioning of a living organism. There has recently been unprecedented breakthrough in Genetics Engineering and it is said that the 21st century will be the age of genetics. Genetics promises to bring about dramatic changes in almost every area of life: the cure and prevention of diseases; the extension of human life span, the modification of food crops to feed the world’s hungry and even creation of laboratory grown human replacement organs and other body parts. Today, we human beings are gaining insight into a domain that, until now, have been deemed the exclusive sphere of God Almighty! There has been major upheaval in biomedical research and a young Assamese, recently, initiated a new technique, which has spawned a flood of applied research and a new era of treating genetic diseases.

Rubul Mout grew up, in a remote part of Assam, near Arunachal border in Tinsukia district. His parents were farmers who went through huge financial struggles to send him to school and later to college. It was not easy, but Rubul had a promising start. As a boy, in the countryside of Tinsukia, he often found himself not in front of the television or out in the cricket field, but sitting happily before an open book. This was due, in part, because of the absence of scientific milieu in that area as well his father’s emphasis on the value of education. The high school where he studied was a venture school and there was a not a single teacher to impart science and mathematics. His father had no money or resources other than his conviction, which could aid young Rubul in pursuing his studies. He however came to Tinsukia for higher studies and after successfully completing his Masters majoring in Chemistry, he joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. At TIFR, as a Biotechnology researcher, Rubul discovered something he loved- “Biology is so fascinating! There are thousands of genes in human cells and every gene has hundreds of stories and these stories are real—they have huge impact on life and humanity. By playing with these genes you can change life, forever.” That was his insight and Rubul set his goal and put his heart and soul   to get where he wanted to be in life and his journey took him around the world.  

Getting admission in the University of Massachusetts, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, was the proudest moment of his life. The University operates Vincent Rotello Group, one of the world’s leading research groups in Nano-biotechnology.  Rubul has been working on this lab for the past several years and is currently leading an innovative gene-editing technology known as CRISPR. This technology provides a quick, easy and effective way to edit the genes of any species including humans. The technique takes advantage of the sophisticated immune systems of bacteria. Researchers essentially trick bacteria into cutting strands of DNA and then using nanoparticles usher them across the membrane and into the cell nucleus. "We have delivered them into the nucleus without getting it trapped on its way and able to watch the delivery process live in real time using sophisticated microscopy", Rubul explains.

There are 3 billion letters that make up the human genetic code, which reveals the astronomical complexity of God’s creation, packed with mysteries and surprises. Genetics, as a discipline, thus requires creativity and imagination. While science provides the blueprint, it is the imagination which gives genetic research its life and purpose. Rubul who recently published a collection of short stories in Assamese believes that science and literature have a very common theme – which is imagination. He would often brainstorm with colleagues or friends to develop a mental picture drawing on his unique traits, abilities and on his passion. Imagination ignites greatness. Today his work on CRISPR is breaking new ground and building momentum to unlock the complexities of living systems.    

Sadly, Rubul’s own father suffered from an incurable genetic disease called Parkinson and died helplessly last year. “I understand the emotional agony and burden of helplessness”. After his father’s demise, Rubul delved further to understand the genetic material that controls hereditary characteristics.

Rubul’s work at University of Massachusetts is expected to serve as a guide for major pharmaceutical firms who have been trying to develop new ways of treating cancer and other ailments that have plagued humanity. Knowing the identity and location of genes, for instance, enables researchers to study their patterns of expression — when they turn on and off. These clues have already yielded useful information and researchers can study how genes and proteins function in both healthy people and those with deadly diseases. This holds great promise and Rubul is optimistic of a stunning outcome.  “What will come out of this is a complete redefinition of human biology; I would strongly recommend young generation of Assam and North East to take biology research seriously to solve human problems.”

Rubul Mout grew up in a small village but was able to make it all the way to the top of his class. The story teaches us that no matter the odds are or even the consequences you need to find your dreams and what fuels you and make them come true. If you believe in yourself like Rubul did and put your mind towards achieving your goal with unwavering faith and focus you can accomplish anything you could ever dream of doing.      ankurbora@hotmail.com                                                                               

Response from readers

Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to know about Rabul Mout and his significant discoveries and researches. Hats off to him. We are also proud that he hails from our part of India. Wishing him further successes,

Nirode Barooah , Germany

Rubul, Congratulations for the work you've done so far and best wishes for many wonderful stories in the future! Krishanu  Kaushik , USA

 This is a very inspiring story! Kudos to Rubul for the work you are doing

Rasika Saikia , USA

t's a great news for us. Congratulations Rubul

 Anamika baruah , Assam

Rubul, I remember, when I was working in a University in Ethiopia, one of my Biology colleagues often visits jungles and search for something. Out of curiosity when I asked what he actually does, he said they are researching for plant extracts which could  retard cell degeneration leading to aging.

He did research in Karolinska Institutet, which houses the Nobel Committee in Physiology or Medicine.

You are in  such a wonderful field and target, and since at this age you already built your confidence, definitely you will achieve newer dimensions in Science. And that would contribute to the humanity, as well as inspire thousands back here in Assam.
 I consider it not over-enthusiastic to look an Assamese in Nobel run in future. 
Do let us know when you plan to visit Assam, so that we could request for some of your local times for delivering lectures/interactions with students/researchers/teachers of Assam.

Regards.

Prof. Shikhar Kr. Sarma

Registrar and Professor, Dept. of  Computer Science & Information Technology ,

Cotton College State University

Searching for the First Zero

                                                                                                                                 Ankur Bora

Science is a passionate search for knowledge which propels human beings to a continuous learning.  This is where lies it’s subtle magic and this is how we reconceive the world time and again.  Human beings have built the modern world through scientific enterprise by overthrowing the order of things, by broadening our knowledge and giving life the freedom to flourish and grow. This scientific temper must be sought in what can be called the most important scientific advances in human history – the invention of zero.

The article has been published in Horizon , Assam Tribune dated February 3rd 2017

In everyday life, zero  is used to do arithmetic as well as to algebraically define negative or  positive numbers. However, the specialty and the magic of zero lies in defining our base-10 number system.  Earlier, it was the Roman numerals which were prevalent in Europe until as late as thirteen century. This system employs Latin Letters for numbers (I for 1, X for 10, L for 50, C for 100, M for 1,000).  These letters had to be repeated, for example, the number 3,373 is represented as MMMCCCLXXIII. For a bigger number, Roman system will need tens of hundreds of letters and if you have to write it in a blackboard, it will, probably cover the length and breadth of the whole board! An enormous number, perhaps, will occupy the four walls and the ceilings of a classroom.  To our rescue came the base-10 number system and it is the zero that enables our modern world to work efficiently and seamlessly.  Because of zero, the same ten numerals can be used over and over again, at different positions. Thus, a 3 in the units location is a 3 but the same symbol in the thousands location makes it a 3000. This is exactly what makes zero so special and powerful, without that little zero we would be stuck in mediaeval period!

Zero is one of the most influential inventions of all times, but who invented the zero? The ZerOrigIndia is a Foundation which is leading a global campaign to re-discover the origin and invention of zero. The foundation is providing a platform to academicians, scholars, researchers from the field of pure and applied sciences across the world as well as to various stakeholders and partner organizations who are passionate about finding the origin of zero and for a deeper understanding of the philosophy of emptiness and life. Wahid Saleh, a prominent member of the Advisory Board in Netherland, describes the objectives, “Finding the oldest zero would of course be very welcome and exciting.  But finding an older zero only means that there may be others even older.  What we are after is to finding the origin of the zero digit, but more in the socio-cultural context such as the possible / likely ‘bridge’ between philosophy and mathematics.  Finding an older zero is not the end of the Zero Project. Our aim is to conduct a systematic study into the origin of zero, taking all previous evidence into account as well as finding fresh evidence.  Then piece it all together in order to pinpoint the epicenter of zero”

The base-10 number system owns its origin to India, where for the first time the concept of numerology had originated. This numeral system reached the western countries through Arabia and thus became known as Arabic numeral. At the beginning, the digits 1 to 9 had evolved from the Brahmi numerals which came into being during the middle of the third century BC. The Brahmi symbols were used for a long span of time. Aryabhatta, the Indian mathematician, is popularly known as the inventor of zero, while Brahmagupta, another mathematician, who is known to formalize arithmetic operation representing the zero as ‘dot’, which was adopted in Brahmi numerals during A.D.650.  

The inscriptions of Brahmi symbols are found in a number of caves and coins in different regions of India.  Such an inscription containing the numeral zero was found at the at the Chatur-bujha temple in the city of Gwalior , which is considered as the oldest known zero . However, a recent finding of an inscription at the Golaghat district in Assam might recast this most significant event in history and bring world’s attention to the antiquity of the Kamrupi civilization.

One of the things that makes the story of ZerOrigIndia so fascinating to us is that the members are active participants in multiple fields: Archaeology, social History, Philosophy , religion and Mathematics. Wahid Saleh, a native of Jorhat, who is playing a defining role in this project, is able to connect with a wide spectrum of people across Europe, America and Asia. I had the privilege to Mr. Saleh’s legendary email correspondence with his peers. It is Dr. HN Dutta, former Director of Assam Archaeological Society, who in his thesis ‘Art and Archaeology of Doiyang-Dhansiri Valley of Assam’ mentioned about the finding of a stone slab in Golaghat district. Ashok Sarma, a language history researcher and Dr. Dharmeshwar Chutia, a retired professor of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, were able to decipher the Brahmi script. The stone slab measuring 15x 9 centimeter, contains inscriptions and the numerical zero is one of them, thereby pointing to the use of zero in Assam. The written script is believed to be between 2nd and 3rd century and if the date of the epigraphical noting and the genuineness of the stone can be determined with the help of modern dating techniques then Assam will be in world history. Wahid Saleh elaborated further, “If our assumption is correct that the slab contains the numerical zero, then Assam will occupy world history status. Earlier, we knew only about such a slab to be in Assam but now, with the newfound location will help us to take up the matter with the Government of India which has acknowledged the project and we hope to get support in the future.”

Understanding how and why the great inventions were made that made modern science and technology possible, concerns all mankind and the invention of zero certainly ranks among the greatest. The ZerOrigIndia project is an accelerated march of human understanding; we now see the web of relationship that connects to epic changes in science, belief and society. Aamir Hazarika , a journalist in Joraht , fondly reflects on his association – “ (ZerOrigIndia  is ) responsible for igniting that zeal of investigative journalism that led to the search of the stone slab lying isolated in a dark corner of the Jorhat district museum.

The world is still ripe for radical change, for new ways of sharing ideas or organizing human life. And how could it not also be cause for hope?          ankurbora@hotmail.com 

Further Notes

Peter Gobets ,Secretary General ZerOrigIndia recently received the following communications from Mrs. Neelam D Sabharwal , former Ambassador of India to the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO in Paris – “I am so happy to see the great progress in your research on the Assam connection. It is also heartening to see Wahid Saleh in his usual form , determined to leave no stone unturned when he has to get to the bottom of the matter.”

A time to remember

                                                                                                    Ankur Bora

There are individuals who choose to act with courage and kindness no matter how daunting the task is. We have seen, time and again, how considerate and kind actions not only have the capacity to change the world, but our very consciousness. More than a decade ago, I met such an individual who introduced me to the joy of a “life in service”. Lukose  Cheruvalel was born in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Young Lukose decided to move to Assam, a path yet untrodden. With courage and passion for serving, he dedicated himself with grace and compassion, to the service of street children.

In the year 2006, Father Lukose  visited  America on work purposes  and I was fortunate to meet him in person . He came to our residence in Dallas and it was one of the most memorable moments for me. I was totally impressed by his fluent colloquial command over the Assamese language. He spoke Assamese like a native would. A very humble and delightful man with love as if radiating from his very being, Father Lukose exuded his mission to save street children from the horrific clutches of desolation and abandonment. Our conversation led to many memories and reflections of his past stirring experiences. There were a number of people who helped shape his life and destiny and notable among them were Mother Theresa – “It was at Mother’s funeral that I resolved to start the Snehalaya homes.”  Father Lukose truly believes that the search for God ultimately leads to children, as they are His most precious gifts to humanity and thus he founded the Snehalaya Homes in Guwahati in 2001. With unwavering patience and persistence he led the organization which became a caring home for homeless and lost children.

Every child of Snehalaya has his or her own tales. “They face harsh realities of life. It will be of great help to them if they get the opportunity to expressing their feelings and emotion in a creative way. It's our duty to heal their pains and make them happy," Father Lukose was narrating some of the heartrending stories while seeking donation and support from the expatriate Assamese of America. One was the saga of a mother and a father and their agonizing wait of ten years to find their long lost daughter. 

Ramua and Savithri used to struggle every day to meet their ends. They were too poor to provide their daughter Bakuli two meals a day. Thinking of a better future for her, the parents with a heavy heart, agreed when an effluent family came and offered to keep Bakuli as a domestic help.  To part with their little daughter was heart wrenching to say the least but hoping that their little one would not only receive shelter but also avenues for basic education and a better future they tearfully bid their farewell goodbyes. Little did they know that their five year old daughter would be treated harshly which would eventually cause her to run away. This incident happened almost ten years ago; no one including police helped them to locate their daughter. Bakuli was almost forgotten by all who knew her in her village, but not by her parents. Her mother would weep for hours every day remembering her little one.

As the story goes, Bakuli escaped from that family and landed in the Guwahati railway station. There she wandered around   for several miserable and haunting days, alone and vulnerable, frightened and hungry. Then one beautiful day, as if God came and lifted her up, offering hope and comfort, when she got rescued and brought into Snehalaya. Thus Bakuli moved from the dark and sordid days in the railway station where her future would be doomed and bitter to a place of love, warmth and security. She was provided with education, support and opportunity throughout her long ten years stay in Snehalaya. However, Bakuli was not able to forget her family. She would cry for hours remembering her parents and her little sister. Father Lukose tried all means to locate her lost family. He even called a press conference requesting popular newspapers to publish her story with the hope that someone from her family would come forward to own her. Fortunately, the news was picked up by the parents and finally the family was reunited. It is a true story of courage, hope, compassion and persistence with a reinforcing message that such miracles can happen even in the most unfortunate circumstances. 

Visitors to Snehalaya ( Biju Barbarua , Lanu Aimol , Debojit Bora , Bidyananda Barkakoty . Late Kaushik Das)

This story simply demonstrates how human beings when given the most basic emotions of love and attention, find significant transformation and discover their humanity , dignity and happiness. I, personally, am moved by two things in that story of Bakuli. One is the courage shown by Father Lukose – the bravery in his decision to open a free residential care for exploited children and his determination to eliminate trafficking of young children from labor and abuse. The other thing that lives within me is his compassion – compassion so profound that Father Lukose still inspires us even a decade later.   

In the last fifteen years Snehalaya, through various initiatives, is taking the young at risk off the street and making them self- reliant through education and skills training. They continue to reunite lost and run-away youth with their parents. However the institute itself is going through a difficult phase. “At present we have about 230 children both boys and girls. With rising expenditure, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide for all the children” – We recently received a communication from a staff of Snehalaya seeking donation and financial support.    

As a child, my grandmother used to tell me, “Whatever you give to another will return to you ten times.” At this Festive Season of the Year, when abundance rejoices, let us remember that there are many among us who are in want of common necessities and there is no surer way to attaining infinite joy than giving back to society. Let’s give your time, your talents, and your donations to make a difference in other people’s lives. By giving, you express abundance and let your thought, word and action be the reality of your life. 

                                                                                    ankurbora@hotmail.com

The monk who redefined the concept of God

                                                                                                  By    Ankur Bora

The monk who redefined the concept of God is a must read for those who want to learn from Swami Vivekananda , the great Indian spiritual leader . The book is an extraordinary story of two young American youths who discovered the eternal significance of Swami’s teaching of Universal brotherhood, peace and non-violence.  Authored by Gautam Prasad Baroowah , this book is bringing new attention to the eternal and universal significance of Vivekananda’s philosophy and discourse. A Business Economist, a Human Resource Management expert and a visionary, Mr. Baroowah through his book is trying to revive a theme and form that have fallen into disuse. It is his particular genius to have identified stories that already existed in the culture but had become muted or neglected over the years. In trying to capture the glory of Vivekananda, in the face of rival contemporary current and counter stories, Gautam Baroowah is ushering in a new way of thinking about India – its people, culture, heritage and wisdom.

The book is an account of Shankar and Siddarth , two American teenagers of Assamese origin. They were deeply disturbed when a mentally deranged gunman embarked on a ghastly killing spree of school children. The shooting incident shook everyone in United States. The event forever altered these two teenagers life as they sought to find a meaning in the ancient civilization of India. As they began to delve deeper into the wisdom of India, they discovered the eternal and universal significance of Vivekananda. They realized that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the American Youth. Subsequently, they embarked on an epic journey to India – they flew to India and visited the places associated with Swami and met many people who provided them fascinating insights into the life of this great soul.

The book takes the readers through a tour of the various places visited by Shankar and Siddarth beginning with the birth place of Swamiji at Kolkata.  The boys met and took interviews of the monks residing at the center which consists of a house of worship and a museum. Throughout their stay , they were told a lot of interesting stories of young Vivekananda who was born as Naren. They had an intimate conversation with the center Acharya who narrated the incredible spiritual journey which transformed Naren into Swami Vivekananda. “Arise! Awake! And Stop Not Till the Goal is reached!”- These were the famous words with which Swami Vivekananda roused the sleeping soul of India, more than 150 years ago. It is said that those powerful words of Swamiji re-awakened and re-energize India, filling the mind of everyone with inspiration, hope and courage.  The book insightfully and skillfully, documents the journey as Shankar and Siddarth delved further taking a trip to Dakshineswar Temple, followed by a visit to Belūr Maṭh , the world headquarters of the Ramakrishna  Mission.

The book also provides hitherto unknown details on Swamiji’s visit to Assam. In April, 1901 Swami Vivekananda visited the then undivided Assam. There is an amazing account of his stay atop Nilachal hill. “At Guwahati, Swamiji addressed several meetings including one at the then newly-established Cotton College," the book narrates, “The people of Guwahati were completely mesmerized by Swamij’s speech. They had never heard such an eloquent speaker before.”      

  

Shankar and Siddarth are deeply motivated young men, who choose to be part of the solution by sharing their knowledge and activism in their respective communities. On July 4^th, 2013 , at the Getty Museum , Los Angles, a academics circle organized an inter school nationwide debating competition on the topic “The most relevant leader in today’s world.” Shankar and Siddarth representing Los Angles school district rose to speak , “The world is passing through troubled times. What the world needs today is someone who can inspire us , fill us with hope and show us the path to all round development and excellence. We believe that, today, we the world needs Swami Vivekananda more than anything else.”  It was a dramatic speech and Shankar and Siddarth were liked by majority of audience. Finally, amidst cheers and applause, the judges declared the Los Angles as the winning team.

“The monk who redefined the concept of God” is a true story which brilliantly captures the transformational pilgrimage and the new found wisdom of these two American teenagers. Through a compelling narrative, Mr. Gautam Prasad Baroowah has succeeded in opening up a conversation on the bold vision of Swami Vivekananda - that the whole world is one human family and no matter where we were born, we share a common thread of culture that unites us as one civilization - a culture of love, nonviolence, peace and harmonious co-existence.

                                                                                                   ankurbora@hotmail.com 

Going the distance

                                                                                 Ankur Bora

When you push out to new frontiers, you will inevitably gain new insights and perspectives on the world around you and within you. The odds are in your favor when you take daring chances and when you step out of yourselves. When you extend your horizon and become more productive allowing yourself to grow and push yourself to do things you wouldn’t normally do, life surprisingly becomes more interesting.  There are people who have incredible zest for life, willing to go that extra mile in following their passion and henceforth make life worth living.

 Such is the story of Anwesa Mahanta. Dedicated to the tradition of Sattriya  at a very young age, she met her mentor Shri Ghanakanta Bora Muktiyar , a Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, when she was only 9 years old.  Her teacher was deeply influential in the early life of Anwesa and his mentoring led her to a new mission. “He is a different kind of teacher – a maestro who inspires student to think and learn. I still marvel at how well his teachings have held up over the years”,  Anwesa joyfully shares her anecdotes on her formative days. “Belonging to a sattra , I had been groomed with its philosophical content by my parents and grandparents, and I perceived the world and its surroundings with that. I was blessed to have the revered teacher as my Adhyapak who had helped me in every step to explore and understand the nuances of the tradition in a different light.” Her teacher imbibed in her with a strong belief on the sacredness of Sattriya  dance – “Every space in which you perform is sanctified by your dance and hence it transcends into a sacred space where Gods are implored and you as devotees offer your salutations to the Divinity through the testaments of great saints.”         

This very essence of Sattriya  and the great ideals of the tradition set the stage for Anwesa’s greater work. Her PhD thesis titled "Traditions of Performing Arts in Assam and the role of Sattras" is based on her close association with these premier centers of Vaisnava art and learning. Her research takes a holistic view of this performance tradition: its sustenance, practice, changing contexts and the social appreciation of the art form. Anwesa has come to recognize that  Sattriya  is not just a dance form – it is a way of life. The rich histories, philosophy, literature, the wide range of artistic practices associated with the Sattriya dance are the roots holding the art form over five centuries. The bhakats (monks) of the Sattras are the pillars who as the practitioners and exponents brought the tradition to the masses. As she saw it, the Sattriya dance is a social phenomenon and it is integrally connected to the land, to the heritage and to the community. Thus ,Anwesa brings forth a new dimension in the pursuit of her doctoral progarmme.   Anwesa is also a prolific writer and she has been a blog author since 2008. A keen observer of  Bhakti tradition ,she is at home with the languages of their melody and rhythm , movement and cadence at both physical and conceptual levels. In one section, in lively writings, she describes a sequence in exquisite details ; she  then moves on with seeming effortlessness to an analysis of the dance significance in the education and socializing of young children at the Sattras.  

Anwesa has been raised to think that exploration, observation and perception are crucial to living a full intellectual and artistic life. Shri Ghanakanta Bora was her mentor, not so much in what he said, but in how he lived his life and looked at the world. Paced at the monastic order of the Kamalabari Sattra when he was only 4 years old, her teacher was elevated as the ‘Barbayan’, the highest honor that the Sattra can offer to a practicing percussionist cum dancer. The devastation that the Kamalabari Sattra was subjected to, due to erosion by the riotous Brahmaputra and its translocation brought him to Guwahati. The disruption, though, took him to carve new lines in the horizon of  Sattriya dance. Of epochal importance to young Anwesa were these ideals of her teachers which she would carry with her for the rest of her career - that an artist’s greatest success is not found in a single rave performance,  but , instead , in the way he or she uses that experience to keep moving forward – to evolve , learn  and work.     

Over the next twenty years, Anwesa continued to follow the trajectory that had been launched under the able guidance of her teacher. She has been an active performer presenting Sattriya dance in its solo form as well as in choreographic presentations of her own. She has performed extensively across India and also made a series of trips abroad including Malaysia, Hong Kong, U.K, Sri Lanka, France, New Zealand appearing at many prestigious dance festivals. She has also been conducting workshops and also presented scholarly research papers in various prestigious symposiums and conferences of the country and outside sharing the aesthetics and poetics of Sattriya dance, music theatre and allied traditions. Anwesa has been awarded with the prestigious national award, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from Sangeet Natak Akademi for the year 2013-14 for her contributions in the field of  Sattriya . She is also one of the founders of Kalpa – an organization for the advancement of literature, art, culture, and social harmony. Through Kalpa , she has been working for the promotion of Indian dance and its relevance amidst the youth, who are not acquainted with the classical music and dance traditions. It has been a spiritual quest for  Anwesa as Sattriya  dance has  become a chosen path of devotion.

Her career in Sattriya dance, music and theatre has dazzled when Anwesa was recently selected for the  Charles Wallace fellowship at the Queen's University Belfast.  The Fellowship is among the most coveted of scholarly honors and provides a golden opportunity for researchers, artists, students, academicians to pursue their work in the UK.  For Anwesa, it is the pinnacle of an incredible journey. Being among other artists at Belfast gave her a deeper sense that what she was doing mattered and was actually worth doing.  At Belfast, the University organizes India Lecture series delivered by distinguished personalities from India in their respective area of specializations.   This year she has become a fixture in this program  “It was a great honor for me to present my work here in this series and most importantly refer to cultural artifacts of Assam in relation to Performance Aesthetics. As a token of my sincere thanks to my land and its rich culture, I strive to bring into light some of the lesser-known art forms of Assam to International platform”. Last month , Anwesa was  honored at the prestigious Nehru Centre, London for her illustrated demonstration and narrative  of  Sattriya  dance tradition passing through several generations.

A person can reach the zenith of any profession or avocation she/ chooses , if she/he is willing to keep striving towards her his destination. There is window of opportunities out there for everyone. Anwesa Mahanta was captivated by the beauty and magnificence of Sattriya  dance at a very young age; focused and determined, she has been able to reach far away shores  to carry the message of her teacher through her spell-bounding performance all over the globe. She set her sights high, as high as the stars – this year, she is soaring to new heights, and inspiring everyone around her along the way.

Seeds of Greatness

                                                                                                                           Ankur Bora

I don’t watch a lot of television, but when I do tune in, it’s usually to BBC - perhaps the only trusted international news organization. I grew up in the midst of tumultuous events of Assam agitation, when BBC and it’s legendary India correspondent, Sir Mark Tully was the only authoritative and impartial voice to the outside world. I have been an admirer of BBC since then. I was thrilled when I came into contact with the Asia Editor of BBC, who is also an admired woman in all of news broadcasting in United Kingdom. Hailing from Assam, she had been at the top of the BBC News for many years presenting and editing a range of features, documentaries, daily programs in the flagship division. How she did it is a remarkable story.    

Rita Borgohain was born in Dibrugarh and she spent her early years in Margherita, where her father was Political Officer in what was then the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). As a child, Rita loved to read. There was always plenty to read as her father used to collect the copies of Reader's Digest, National Geographic and Time magazine, apart from The Statesman, Assam Tribune and several Assamese and Bengali newspapers. Her father, Bipin Kumar Borgohain, instilled in his daughter from an early age, the importance of learning languages.  He was a kind of person who encouraged his child to come to the dinner table every night with a new vocabulary word. “My father wrote a regular column for the Assam Tribune - Off the mind and his last-minute dash to the post office every week to send off his report before the deadline became an ingrained part of our lives.”   Her father once presented her the complete set of Book of Knowledge – “I would pour over the maps for hours ; this book set opened me a window into exotic and foreign lands and sparked interest in natural history,  arts and geography that continues to this day 50 years later.” 

I recently had a conversation with Ms. Rita; with much enthusiasm, she provided a fascinating life story. Through many emotions, she shared her memories from her childhood, her career as a journalist,  her deep believe in the basic principles of journalism and her passion for being a lifelong learner. As she filled me on life at BBC, I sat transfixed by her cadence, intonation and her choice of magnificent English words. “I was taught by an Irish nun”, Rita reminisced about her boarding school at Loreto Convent ,Shillong.  “I am very grateful to my Loreto teacher Mother  Bernadette – she had once taught  English elocution  to Vivian Leigh , the famous actress of gone with the wind.”  Recounting her earliest memories as a young girl, she shared all of her meaningful events “My parents provided the best education available and they set a good example. The influence of my father, on me, was so basic that it extended to all areas of my life.”

 Rita, with the encouragement of his father and Ashok Sen who was Director-General of All India Radio (AIR) at the time, joined AIR and began her broadcasting career in 1970. The well-known newscasters at the time were Surojit Sen, Pamela Singh, Philip Neelam, Lotika Ratnam and Sishil Javeri. “Each of my former colleagues had a distinctive voice, once familiar to millions of people across the country.”  It was at AIR during her formative years as broadcast journalist, Rita Borgohain came to recognize her unique talents and how they could make a successful living from doing what she loved. In the year 1971, she moved to London, after her marriage to Geoffrey Payne.

Coming to London was a giant step for her. Rita Payne joined BBC in 1978 holding many different positions as program maker, broadcaster and editor. In a career spanning over 30 years , she covered some of the monumental events including  the ousting of the Shah of Iran, the Tiananmen Square killings, the fall of the Berlin Wall, assassination of Anwar Sadat and the two Gulf wards,  communicating the news to the world impartially and accurately. As Asia Editor, BBC World News (TV), she had the opportunity to interview a cross-section of Asian leaders, writers and other world figures including Benazir Bhutto, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Lee Kuan Yew and Abdullah Badawi. Later on, Rita Payne became the chairman of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA , UK branch) and was elected as international President of the CJA in the year 2012. She has chaired sessions at the One World Media Festival, Rotary World Peace Symposium and moderated key dialogues at the UN World Urban Forum in Rio de Janeiro and Nanjing. She was a member of the Commonwealth Election Observer Missions to the Solomon Islands and Sierra Leone.

“It had been a long and enthralling journey for me, and every step of the way demanded hard work – but immensely fulfilling hard work.” Rita is always driven by challenges. Once, when she was on a new assignment, a subeditor regaled with a comment– “you will not be able get past because of your accent”.  For Rita, who doesn’t take no for an answer, it only fueled her ambition.  She was determined to press on and worked doubly hard to get where she wanted to go. It was a joy to listen to her beautiful words of wisdom, “I guess my main motivating force has been curiosity and a desire to learn something new every day”

“The basic principles of good journalism remain the same; reports should be truthful, balanced and thoroughly researched” – Rita was responding to my question, “What message you want aspiring youth to hear so that they can learn from you”. She elaborated further enunciating from her own experience. At BBC, each unit, whether audio or video, follows BBC’s Editorial Guidelines. These Guidelines are the key foundation for the maintenance of high editorial standards in everything broadcast or produced by the BBC. As I concluded my interview, I realized that journalism isn’t a job for Rita Payne, it’s a mission, a pursuit which she followed all through her life with sincerity, zeal and rightfulness.  

The seeds planted in Rita Borgohain’s life when she was young set the trajectory of a remarkable life. She has a gifted voice, a way of connecting with people and she was equally determined to discover her true best self.  Today, whenever I tune to the voice of Rita Payne, I am transfixed - the metaphor of life comes alive as the unstoppable force of determination, passion and growth.                                                                                                                      ankurbora@hotmail.com 

• Rita Payne worked for nearly thirty years at the BBC until 2008.

This article was published in Assam Tribune Horizon, listed below feedbacks received from readers.

Dear Sir
Greetings to you! Just went through your write up on "Seeds of greatness"- really impressed having read about Rita Borgohain, a remarkable Woman Assamese journalist. This piece of yours will surely inspire and encourage a lot more young people. 
Regards
Dr Bandana Nabis Das 

On 'Seeds of Greatness'

Sir,   This refers to an article by Ankur Bora in the Sunday edition of Assam Tribune <15May,2016> on Rita Borgohain, eminent Journalist. Besides making us proud about this prominent journalist, the article has also brought to the fore the memory of an illustrious son of Assam late Bipin Borgohain whose contributions to Assam in various fields like law and literature seems to have been forgotten. Late Bipin Borgohain  besides being the Political Officer of the then NEFA, was also an eminent literary figure. During my service at the  All India Radio, Dibrugarh  during the Seventies, he was very close to me and I found him to be a very soft spoken person in all his dealings with the public. He was a writer too and the most well-dressed person of that time. An Advocate of the Supreme Court,,late Shri Borgohain did not have any unnecessary air around   and mixed with the general people very freely. An Aristocrat of the first category, late Shri Borgohain was also a regular contributor to the Assam Tribune and in every Spring time, he used to write a letter there on his seeing and hearing the  Cuckoo and it's voice that pleased the minds of the readers. It was a regular feature in the Letters to the Editor Column of the Assam Tribune to carry his letter on the cuckoo theme. Through your esteemed Daily I would like to thank Shri Bora for his very informative article with the hope that concerned organisations and authorities will take suitable steps to enable people to remember him for all time to come.

Yours'  Etc.,

Aswini Boruah,

Guwahati-21

09435704834

To Sri Ankur Bora, Author of “Seeds of Greatness”,

Being very greatly pleased to read your above mentioned memoir regarding Rita Borgohain, who happened to be not only great great granddaughter of the most memorable martyr of the first Freedom Struggle of 1857 in Assam, Maniram Dewan, but also is my niece as her mother was my first cousin, Jyotirmoyee Borgohain (Bula). On the very Foundation Day of the Maniram Dewan Memorial Trust, Guwahati, on the 9th October, 2009, the meeting also condoled the demise of few relatives and devout admirer of Maniram Dewan, which included his great granddaughter Jyotirmoyee Borgohain, died in April, 2002 in London.

In this context it is worth mentioning that Maniram Dewan, was a personality renowned of having versatile percipience and acumen, which includes journalism also besides being a statesman of high repute, a litterateur writing religious scriptures also besides others, a historian and the last but not the least an entrepreneur of excellence per se, about which one can find in GOOGLES besides in the books on Dewan’s life. His opening of two Tea Estates in early-1840s only a few years after the British opened TEs by forming their first tea company in June 1839, that also anointing Maniram Dutta Baruah as the first ‘Dewan’ of the Co. Maniram was ahead of Jamshedji Tata, who was born in 1839(after 33 yrs, of Maniram)and Tata’s Iron & Steel Industry achieved production in 1911 (after Tata’s death in 1904) whereas Maniram sent Tea samples to London Exhibition of 1851. For delay in Customs Clearance, the Tea Samples were displayed latter as the ‘Exhibit-1851’ at the Indian & Colonial Exhibition, where a ‘Bronze Medal’ was awarded by selecting it as one of the best quality tea, as per its record available at the archive of the India House of London.

            His journalistic acumen includes reporting time to time News Bulletins on Political and Historical Events besides Social hapennings and Advisory Notes to news papers viz. 'Somachar Chandrika' (Calcutta); 'Somachar Darpan', (Serampore); Somprakash (Cengripota)and 'Orunodoy' published by the Assam Mission of the American Baptist Missionary (Sibsagarh).

            He authored : (1):'Buranji Vivek Ratna' Vol.I, Vol II, & Vol.III, of which the menascript of Vol. II (1838)  only is available and was published by Dibrugarh University in 2009. (2): 'Baro-Bhuyanr Charit' Untraced; (3): Bhakti-Pradip ( A relious Scripture) untraced; and few more of his books were also untraced.

            Memoirs written on trade & commercial commodities were: (1): 'Native Account of Washing Gold in Assam'; not only published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal in July issue of 1838; (2): 'Silk Industry of Assam'; translated by Capt. F.Jenkens & submitted in the Transactions of Agricultural & Horticultural Society of India, Vol.II, 1838; (3): A 'Note on the Process of Producing Good Quality Cotton'; Ibid.(4): A 'Note on Salt Mines of Assam, etc.          

I had to re-write the missing contents again & all these I intended to signify that Rita's present Globally acclaimed journalistic zest might be because of her inheritance of the percipience of high caliber from her mother's ancestor, Maniram Dewan. Members of our Trust would be grateful to Rita if she look into the admirable genii of this great personality of Assam of early 19th century using spare-times especially trying to propagate the roles played by Maniram in the matter of discovery of the Tea of Assam Origin, renowned world-over as 'Assam Tea' by British in hilly terrains of Eastern Assam only because of guidance rendered by Maniram, which was left undisclosed by Tea Historians.

 Aroon Chandra Barooah, (Mob#=9954676926;

Working President, Maniramm Dewan Memorial Trust,

H/No:86, Bitupon Chuburi, PO Dispur, Guwahati-5.