Gautam Sarmah
August 1st, marks the 83rd birth anniversary of Professor Tabu Ram Taid, popularly known as Tabu Taid, who guided the path of advancement in education, literature, language, and culture in Assam and the Northeast. In the fields of tribal society, language, and educational development across this region, he was a distinguished figure who nurtured a subtle yet powerful intellectual consciousness over several decades. As a linguist, writer, academician, and education administrator, Tabu Taid made notable contributions, particularly toward the preservation and development of the Mising language. He also made earnest efforts to promote Mising folk dances, songs, and musical traditions at the national level. In recognition of his contributions, the Mising Agom Kebang honored him with the title ‘Agom Migang’. His role in preserving and advancing the linguistic and cultural identity of the Mising people is indisputable. Together with Nahendra Padun, he founded the “Mising Kebang” in Guwahati in 1968, taking a significant step towards developing a scientific script for the Mising language. Later, in 1972, the organization “Mising Agom Kebang” was established to promote Mising language, literature, and culture. He served as its first president until 1980. Through this organization, for the first time in Assam, Mising was introduced as a subject in primary education. Through research in linguistics, translation, literary editing, and education, Tabu Taid significantly expanded the scope of Mising language studies. He authored grammars and dictionaries, edited classical texts, and wrote numerous articles in English, Assamese, and Mising focused on language development. He also developed English language curricula for school students and designed Mising language courses for the Dibrugarh Radio Centre. Among his major publications are: Glimpses, a collection of English essays; Missing Gomper Kumsung, a dictionary of the Mising language; Banikanta Kakati: The Man and His Works (co-edited with Ranjit Dev Goswami); and Folksongs of the Misings (co-edited with Tarun Chandra Pamegam). These contributions in language, education, and literature are not only transformative for the Mising community but are also an invaluable part of Assam’s cultural heritage. Tabu Taid was born on this very day in 1942, in Ghunasuti Ayengia of Lakhimpur district. After completing his primary education at Tamenchuk Primary School, he studied from 1951 to 1957 at North Lakhimpur Government High English School. In 1963, he earned a Bachelor's degree with honors in English from Ramakrishna Mission College under the University of Calcutta. In 1964, he enrolled at Hindu College under Delhi University and completed his Master’s degree in 1966. He began his career in 1967 as a lecturer in Cotton College, Guwahati. While working there, he received a scholarship to study abroad. Utilizing this opportunity, he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics from the University of Reading, UK, during 1973–74. Additionally, in 1982, under a British Council Fellowship program, he earned a certificate in Distance Education from the Institute of Education, University of London. In 1970, Tabu Taid qualified for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) through the UPSC examination. According to available records, he was the first tribal youth from Assam to be selected for such all-India services. Unfortunately, he could not join due to failing the medical examination. After serving at Cotton College for fourteen years (1967–81), he assumed the role of Deputy Director of Public Instruction. He also served in various capacities within Assam’s Education Department, including as Director of SCERT, Director of SEBA, Director of Higher Education, Chairman of SEBA, and Chairman of the State Selection Board (Higher Education). Though he officially retired in 2000, he continued to serve as Chairman of the State Selection Board until February 2004. He was also a member of the Academic Council of Gauhati University. Within such a vast administrative framework, he played a vital leadership role in policy-making — the effects of which are still seen as foundational in Assam’s educational structure. Moreover, his contributions to tribal language development remain especially commendable. In keeping with this special day, the ‘Tabu Ram Taid Memorial Museum and Library’ at his resting place in Abutani, Gogamukh (Dhemaji), will be inaugurated. We hope this modern museum, funded by the Department of Tribal Affairs (Northeast Region), will not merely be a repository of items but will emerge as a leading center for the spread of his ideas, philosophies, and cultural-linguistic work. Another encouraging development is that three special literary awards will be conferred in his memory this year. These include: the Tabu Taid Sahitya Award to Arunachal Pradesh’s Yesse Dorjee Thongchi; the Tabu Taid Mising Literary Award to Mising writer Dr. Bidhyeswar Dalek; and the Rajanikanta Bordoloi Samannay Sahitya Award to Pankaj Kumar Dutta. These positive announcements naturally bring us great joy. Literary and cultural initiatives like these, undertaken in his memory, will undoubtedly offer us an important opportunity to remember the ideals, values, and literary perspective of his life. At the same time, it is imperative that we also remember and evaluate his sociological thinking, linguistic-cultural awareness, and his respectful engagement with the lifestyles of ethnic communities in Assam and the Northeast. On that foundation, we may hope to move forward, inspired by the ideals of Tabu Taid’s great body of work.
(Gautam Sarmah, Mobile: 9954000200)
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