my soliloquy

Assam's economy is agri-based.  70% of the work force is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. After rice, maize is the second crop of importance. Apart from direct consumption, it has it's utility as  second cycle produce in piggery and poultry farming.  The crop is now in a status of emerging crop in the state and constant increase in acreage is being observed in recent years.  The pictures were mainly taken during my field trips to the sandbar areas (often called 'char/sor' area) of North Salmara, where maize cultivation is said to be prevalent because of appropriate topography as well as willing workforce. 

Abhayapuri carries the quintessential characteristics of a town - by no means a small one, but protected from the hustle-bustle of an urban metropolis.  I t still retains the rustic cultural elements of the Assamese milieu, yet there is an air of modernity that is unmistakable.  As the sun goes down, one can see office-goers returning homeward in private vehicles and autos (often called 'pilpillees' in the local lingo). Roadside vendors occupy their usual spots and the evening connoisseurs  of street food begin to gather around.     The town has a countable number of Naamghars (prayer houses  for congregational worship associated with the Assamese community), both big and small . The evening air  brims with the melody of Borgeet (prayer songs associated with Eksarana Dharma) from the loudspeakers that can't be spotted.  Like end credits to a movie.

On 15th February, 2021,  I arrived in North Salmara, a sub-division of Bongaigaon district in Assam. This was in connection with my first posting as  Assistant Commissioner in the Assam Civil Services.  I was born and brought up in Guwahati, did most of my studies there. Even my last five years were spent as working in the capacity of an assistant in Income Tax Department, during which I remained mostly in the headquarters.  Many of my friends and family members were cynical as to how I would react to the new place given my ‘sort of urban lifestyle’. But soon their doubts turned out baseless.  I stayed in the sub-divisonal Circuit House in Abhayapuri during the initial few days. If first impression is the best impression, then this new place had got me at the outset. I went out for long walks and occasional runs  in the   morning . It was blissful. The clear air and untouched nature in the vicinity was almost medicinal. With an area of around 16.06 squ...