Kokrajhar (Assam) [India], October 3 : The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) initiated a programme on Wednesday to educate the people of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) about their rights to demand good governance.
Marking the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the BTC authorities distributed grievance and complaint boxes under Mission Bwiswmuthi.
Circle Officers from five districts under the BTR--Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri, and Tamulpur--have been tasked with managing these boxes to ensure the swift resolution of land-related grievances, thereby promoting transparency and efficiency in governance.
Notably, the BTC has become the first Sixth Schedule Council in India to digitise land records, a significant milestone in administrative modernisation.
"Mahatma Gandhi's message of harmony, peace, and tolerance serves as a beacon of hope and wisdom, particularly for Bodoland, which has transitioned from a history of violence to one of brotherhood and development," BTC Chief Pramod Boro said during the celebration of Gandhi's 155th birth anniversary and the International Day of Non-Violence at the BTC Secretariat in Kokrajhar.
"Despite the violence and unrest that once shook the region, the people of Bodoland now live in peace and unity, laying the foundation for sustained growth," he continued.
"Gandhiji's ideals of peace, non-violence, truth, and harmonious coexistence are especially relevant today, as the world around us grapples with conflicts. In the BTR, we must lead by example through our unwavering commitment to Bapu's principles and strive to build the BTR into a beacon of peace and brotherhood," he added.
On the occasion, a pledge-taking ceremony under the Green Bodoland Mission was also held at the BTC Secretariat, reflecting the BTC's commitment to environmental sustainability. The event saw the participation of students, citizens, and officials.
Meanwhile, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya led the state in paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of the 155th Gandhi Jayanti at Sarania Ashram, part of the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust in Guwahati.
While paying his respects, Governor Acharya stated that Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of truth and non-violence continue to inspire generations.
The Governor further remarked that Gandhiji's efforts towards cleanliness, women's empowerment, self-reliance, and farmers' rights, along with his stance against untouchability, social discrimination, and illiteracy, have left an indelible mark on the nation.