Dhubri: Unity, Dignity and Brotherhood - People of Assam and Punjab, a documentary by Debojit Kalita, a Dhubri-based businessman, will be screened at the 23rd Kolkata International Film Festival to be held from November 10 to 17.

The film, made under the banner of UCK Production, traces the history of the Sikhs of Assam and their assimilation into the greater Assamese society. It will be screened under the short and documentary films segment.

Kalita said, "Both Assam and Punjab were empowered with the blessings of gurus like Srimanta Xankardeb, Guru Nanak and Guru Teg Bahadur. It is the right time to rekindle their ideology to understand the core essence of their message that the best way to serve God is to serve the humanity."

In 1505 AD, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism came to Assam and stayed with Xankardeb. In 1669, the 9th guru of the Sikhs, Guru Teg Bahadur, also visited Assam with Raja Ram Singh, the Mughal general of Amber. After losing the battle of Hadirachaki, Subedar Ram Singh reached Borkhola village in search of settlement in 1822 AD. Since then, Assamese Sikhs started their livelihood at Borkhola.

"It will be highlighted in the documentary that Borkhola in Nagaon district has become a symbol of unity in Assam. Here the Sikhs have mingled with the Assamese so intensely that they proudly call themselves Assamese Sikhs," he said. Ratul Deka has edited the documentary and Saurabh Mahanta composed the music. Debojit Gayen is the sound editor of the film.