< Previous 69Chapter 9 to the vibrancy and dynamism of Indian society, making them indispensable to the nation’s progress. It is also true that from the Stone Age to modern times, human beings have largely organized themselves into communities. Community as a frame of reference made space for intensive interactions, the establishment of blood-based and kinship- based relationships, the demarcation of boundaries that provided the inside-outside markers, and the growth and development of cultures, languages, mores, religions, and worldviews. The community sustained individual and group well-being; it afforded cooperation, collaboration, and protection among its members. The group survival principle was the integral rule. Thus, community best promoted and sustained distinctive languages, cultures, customs, and traditions. In contrast, the modern societies generally promoted individual liberty, freedom, and dignity. These, being framed within the purview of human rights laws have largely shaped modern nation-state governance systems. Primacy is accorded to the individual right and well-being from the modern society point of view. On the other hand, individual aspirations and ambitions often make way for the community’s greater interest from the community point of view. While the community is a zealous protector and promoter of all it considers ‘its own,’ it can radically be the opposite for those considered outside its set boundaries. Thus, history is replete with instances of community divides, conflicts, wars and killings. Can communities co-exist? Can there be a shared culture of peace and security? Can harmony be established? These are the fundamental questions that need to be revisited in today’s times. There is a need to revisit the common good that ‘community’ has to offer. For instance, it is evident that the community emboldens one to survive with dignity by resisting social discriminations. Community has served as the only true custodian of cultures, languages, worldviews, and epistemes. Community provides the necessary arrangements 70Chapter 9 for forming institutions, agencies, and organizations to ensure that these are preserved, sustained, and promoted. Communities are not just cultural entities; they are engines of social and economic development. Empowering them through education, resources, and opportunities enhances their ability to contribute to national progress. A strong community fosters social cohesion, reduces inequalities, and creates an environment where every citizen can achieve their full potential. In this way, Community Vision for BTR is a humble yet novel initiative of our Council Government. It has been conceived in the spirit of transformation and healing—a sincere effort to understand and address the hopes, grievances, and priorities of the people. While capturing the aspirations of the communities, the vision is an attempt to align the government’s efforts with their felt needs and unmet aspirations, thereby, ensuring that every voice is heard and represented in the journey towards peace and development. As such, it seeks to provide a guiding framework to the government and various other agencies for addressing the unique needs and collective goals of the Bodoland region, thus, ensuring our steady climb towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047!”India has produced the greatest of peace ambassadors in the history of humankind. Early on, Lord Gautama Buddha had renounced royalty to become the messenger of peace and social harmony for the entire world. Emperor Ashoka followed in Lord Buddha’s footsteps and became a torchbearer of non-violence and peace after witnessing the miseries and afflictions that wars caused. In recent times, Mahatma Gandhi and his universal principles of ahimsa and satyagraha had won for us the freedom from the British in 1947. In post-independence India, BR Ambedkar sought to establish peace and social harmony by undoing structurally embedded age-old practices of social discrimination and injustice through constitutional measures. Moreover, the aspirations for peace and happiness are seen to have found expressions in myriad of movements initiated by local leaders all throughout India for bringing political and social change throughout our history. All our great leaders of peace ignited the idea of peace and spread it in our society across different times. It is seen that peace did not come easy. Peace had to be ideated, planted, nurtured and promoted to find place in our society. 10 the Winning Recipe: our Vision for Peace, happiness and Development in BtR 72Chapter 10 In our immediate context and times, Bodoland region was characterized by conflict and violence at the turn of the Twenty- First Century. Our days were dark and nights endless. We needed to steer our communities away from the gloomy Bodo- Non-Bodo politics of hatred and divide. There was a need to take ourselves out of the recurrent fratricidal killings among ourselves. In those days, the very fabric of social harmony was spiraling down into an unfathomable abyss. There was all round social distrust and mistrust. Yet again, we needed to end the gun-culture and violence which had reduced us to poverty and indignity. There was no meeting the eye for resolution of disputes. Bullets, grenades, bombs, rapes, torture, killings and burning of houses had become the media of communication. Students, journalists, politicians, community leaders, business persons and teachers were kidnapped, tortured and murdered. Even children and women were not spared. Alas, what curse had befallen us! Violence had become the norm— we lived in a society where there was a complete inversion of morality. In this milieu, as young cadres of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), I and my fellow-workers took a conscious decision to adopt peace and non-violence as the means as well as the end for resolving the social, political and economic crises that had set in. We needed to reverse the process of alienation of our youth and reorient them towards the mainstream of positive change and development in the world around us. I recall that it was rather challenging for us to voice out this powerful alternative, back then, as an achievable possibility for the people of Bodoland region. We had demanded, way back in 2009, that our region be freed from all illegal arms and weapons. We were determined to put an end to intra-community fratricidal killings as well as the cyclical inter-community conflicts that were triggered regularly then. We wanted to establish permanent peace, security and development in the region and thereby reclaim the dignity, rights and respect for one and all. Peace needed to be given a chance in our world! We needed to plant peace, nurture peace and spread peace! 73Chapter 10 In the meantime, our call for peace and end to all forms of violence kept growing louder. In spite of challenges, hostilities, threats and violent reprisals, our vision for peace, happiness and development in Bodoland region could not be extinguished. Rather, this idea took deep roots and spread like a wildfire engulfing ideologies of hatred, violence and corruption in our society. Our lone voice became a chorus- a slogan that everybody accepted, appreciated and professed! Thus, from the unending darkness of hatred and violence to a dawning light of peace, happiness and progress— that was what fundamentally changed and transformed in the social, political and economic landscape of BTR with the onset of our pledge for peace. While ideologies of violence and disharmony were infectious in the past, our vision for peace and progress has become even more contagious now. The signing of the Bodo Peace Accord 2020 was a watershed moment that crystallized the promises of peace in our region. As a result of this agreement, people of our region could once again visualize a rainbow of possibilities for establishing peace and stability in our region. It came as a true blessing: a moment of time in our collective histories that beckoned the end of the old ways of violence and terror, and the dawning of a new epoch of peace, sustainable development and happiness. Currently, United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) has become the torchbearer for voicing out and sustaining peace in the Bodoland Territorial Region. Since its formation in 2015, it committed itself to this vision for establishing peace and happiness in Bodoland region. We can clearly see that what was our mini-step towards peace in 2009, has now snowballed into a massive peoples’ movement for establishment and sustenance of peace, progress and good governance in BTR. As a result of UPPL’s commitment to implement the Bodo Peace Accord 2020 and deliver peace, good governance and overall development in the region, we are seeing that men and women from all ranks, communities and walks of life 74Chapter 10 are rushing to join the UPPL by the thousands. Most significantly, by providing an all-inclusive platform, a team of visionary leaders and a clean work-culture, the UPPL movement has weaned the people of BTR away from the normalization of communal as well as fratricidal killings and violence which had eaten into the heart of our society. There are a few standout characteristics of the UPPL that have propelled it to where it stands today. First of all, as a party, we resolved to achieve peace, good governance and development in the Bodoland region by taking a courageous deviation from the prevalent communal and violent political overtones that were ruling the roost in the whole of North Eastern Region of India. Sailing against the currents of the time signified an unprecedented positioning by our party. Thus, we had to work and pursue our goal relentlessly in spite of threats and violence that were perpetrated to derail our march. Few years down the line, we see that the people of our region put tremendous faith in us. With the peoples’ wholehearted support and participation, we have not only successfully warded off the sinister conspiracies and recurrence of catastrophic events in our region, but also gained better traction and momentum in our march towards our goal. On the development plank, too, BTR is no longer in the dregs of neglect and despair thanks to the proactive role of UPPL. Once peace and security were established, our society’s economic growth and socio-cultural development became the principal agenda of the UPPL-BJP led BTR Government. We have initiated missions and flagship programmes to address long-pending issues that were kept in abeyance earlier. The BTR Government’s vision Peaceful, Smart and Green Bodoland has provided the framework to sustain and promote peaceful co-existence and development through innovative programming for social, cultural and economic growth- addressing all issues down to the last mile. By investing prominently on agriculture, animal husbandry and livelihoods, we sought to 75Chapter 10 reverse poverty in our rural areas by enhancing the incomes of our farmers, SHGs and entrepreneurs. Our Bodofa Super-50 missions aiming to produce outstanding graduates in Engineering and Medicine, as well as, successful candidates in UPSC and APSC examinations have already achieved phenomenal success. A similar enthusiasm is seen in the arena of sports, culture, drama, theatre, art and literature. Erstwhile known for prevalence of violence and fear, Kokrajhar, now retitled as the City of Peace, has successfully hosted several national and international events already. Youth empowerment, women development and protection of rights of children and differently abled persons are our roadmaps for creating an inclusive society in BTR. Providing land to the landless and home for the homeless, and creating healthy, wealthy and happy BTR are our core principles and modus operandi. Realizing the merit of this collective vision, we have been joined by a number of collaborators for social and economic transformation: corporates, philanthropic agencies, CSOs, and CBOs. We are no longer lonely in our journey as was the case earlier. What a blessing it has been to have received an over-abundance of love and confidence of all the peoples of Bodoland Territorial Region! The peoples’ faith and trust in UPPL’s commitment to bring change and transformation gave us resounding victories in the BTR Elections of 2020, the Assam Assembly Elections of 2021 and the MP (Rajya Sabha) nomination in 2022. We are now part of the Ruling Party in our BTR Council Government, Assam Government and also represented in the Indian Parliament. These signify the continued confidence that the people of our region have in UPPL! Presently, with the support of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji, and Karmayogi Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma Ji, our UPPL is a proud member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)! 76Chapter 10 While extending full support to the alliance candidates of the BJP and AGP in the rest of the constituencies of Assam, UPPL has fielded Shri Joyanta Basumatary as the worthy candidate from No. 1 Kokrajhar Lok Sabha (ST) Constituency in the ongoing 18th Lok Sabha Elections of India. Our goal in this election is to further strengthen and expedite the realization of the peoples’ collective vision, mission, objectives and strategy to sustain peace and security, foster all-round development and ensure good governance for fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of all the ethnic, linguistic and religious communities of BTR. We have no more room for Boro-Oboro politics of anger, hatred and divide in our midst thanks to the endorsement of our vision by none other than our beloved Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi Ji! During my recent public engagement programmes and visits to all nook and cranny of BTR, I could see that UPPL is truly blessed with an overwhelming support and love. This tremendous support received towards the candidature of Joyanta Basumatary, once again, assures us of a resounding victory— which in essence will be a great victory of the people of entire BTR! All of us at UPPL are confident that the voters of BTR will continue to favour us by casting their votes on our symbol of Tractor in this key election to be held on 7 th May 2024. With their precious votes, we are assured of forming a pro-marginalized people’s government with an absolute majority— Phir Ek Bar Modi Sarkar!Today, we, the people of Bodoland Territorial Region welcome in unison, the Hon’ble Governor of Assam Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya Ji, Hon’ble CM of Assam Karmayogi Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma Ji, the Hon’ble Cabinet Ministers of Assam, Hon’ble MLAs who represent the voices of every nook and corner of Assam, and all the esteemed Officers of the Government of Assam to Kokrajhar- the City of Peace for the historic Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly. Nestled in the gateway to the northeastern region of India, Kokrajhar, the capital of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), is a city that harmoniously blends physical beauty, natural bounty, and geographical significance. Known for its tranquil agricultural fields, rich flora and fauna, the famous Raimona National Park, the Sacred Baukhungri Hills, and the serene rippling of the rivers Sonkosh, Gaurang and Champa, Kokrajhar is a natural embodiment of peace. The city, though small in terms of population, remains a place where nature meets culture and carries a weighty historical significance for the Bodos and other communities residing in the Bodoland Territorial Region and Assam. Kokrajhar’s history like that of the rest of Bodoland Territorial Region is unfortunately marked by dark times of conflict and violence, with the region often being a hotbed for insurgent 11 ‘tis time for kokrajhar- City of Peace The Assam Legislative Assembly Session in Kokrajhar 78Chapter 11 activities, ethnic violence, and clashes between various communities. The period between the early 1990s and the early 2000s was particularly tragic, with the Bodo movement witnessing violent uprisings and counterinsurgency measures. These led to the loss of countless innocent lives, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. There was hovering gloom of mistrust, distrust and hatred towards one another. The heart- wrenching stories of killings, rapes, and kidnappings are etched in the collective memory of the people of BTR and continue to haunt us even today. Revolutions often give birth to counter- revolutions, and our region witnessed such cycles of violence that were fueled by a combination of politics, identity, and a battle for resources. This cycle of bloodshed and hostility, at times, made our region feel like a place of never-ending despair. In those years, Kokrajhar and the whole of BTR became a place where people lived in constant fear. A sense of hopelessness prevailed as the optimism for peace seemed distant and unattainable. The holding of the Budget Session for the Financial Year 2025-26 by the Assam Legislative Assembly at Kokrajhar, today, the 17 th of February 2026 marks the dawn of a new chapter in Bodoland Territorial Region. This trumpets the remarkable transformation that Bodoland region has undergone in the last four years ever since the UPPL-BJP coalition formed the BTR Council Government. This marks the complete transition- a total shift- from the turbulent past to a bright future. It is indeed a historic moment, marking the first time since India’s independence, that the state’s legislative assembly session is being convened at the Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly. This decision to hold the Budget Session in Kokrajhar is a clear message from the Chief Minister of Assam Karmayogi Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma Ji: the Government of Assam is committed to ensuring good governance and development in all corners of the state. It is already an established fact that our Next >