Dalim Gohain of Assam transforms life of his village

By Vashipem Kamodang

Bokdung Bharalua (Assam), May 27 (ANI): Dalim Gohain’s efforts to improve the lives of his fellow villagers have significantly contributed to the development of Bokdung Bharalua village of Assam,around nine kilometres from Chabua Town.

The village has a population of 280 households with 2,500 people. Most of the residents earn their livelihood by farming. A handful of them have joined Government service.

There was a time when these villagers had to send off their children away for studies, as there wasn’t any educational unit here. Dalim, who himself had to study outside his village, always felt the need for schools in the village.

It made him set up the ‘Bharuwa Primary School” in the village.

“There was no high school during my time. I completed my schooling from Dibrugarh. Then I joined the school as a teacher.

After my retirement, I wanted to open a school in my own village because at that time there was no school there,” said Dalim Gohain, the social activist.

“Due to the school in village, students have no problem to gain knowledge or educate themselves. Road connectivity is also improving. Thanks to Dalim, improvements are taking place in the village,” said Sangeeta Das, a teacher.

However, today, Dalim Gohain is bed-ridden and lives with his wife and six children. He enjoys reading and has preserved thousands of manuscripts written in Assamese.

He has been a passionate follower of Mahatma Gandhi and sometimes fondly remembers his meeting with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

“The work and life of Mahatma Gandhi inspired me a lot. I greatly admired his teachings and Radhakhrishnan’s work to bring about a change. Yes, I still remember my meeting with Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had come to take stock of erosion caused by Brahmaputra,” said Dalim Gohain, the social activist.

The elderly Dalim is hopeful that there will be more changes in his village.

“There is a lot more to be done and I am sure some day my village will be fully developed. I hope our sacrifice and dedication for the development of the village will inspire the younger generation. I hope someone will follow in my footsteps and bring prosperity and happiness to this village,” said Dalim.

“This village has improved and the villagers are leading a better life because of his efforts. Because of him (Dalim) our village now has two schools and one sub-health center,” said Lambodar Gogoi, a village elder.

Dalim’s endeavours to improve the conditions of his village have earned him praise from all villagers. He has set a wonderful example for other villagers to emulate. (ANI)