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| Ashadeep, the institution that has helped many destitutes and schizophrenics over the years, is also home to children like these. File picture |
Poppy Das, a mother of three and a resident of Guwahati, had arrived at Mathabhanga in North Bengal more than a year ago not even aware where she had landed. She was rescued by police and admitted to Berhampur Mental Hospital
Anjali, an NGO based in Kolkata, which runs a rehabilitation programme at the Berhampur Mental Hospital, recently reunited Poppy with her family in Guwahati. Accompanied by Ratnaboli Ray, founder and managing trustee of Anjali, and Amitava Sengupta, programme assistant of the NGO, Poppy came to Guwahati and met her husband at Ashadeep, a home for the mentally challenged. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, Poppy is now under medication.
The number of mentally ill women has been steadily increasing over the years. “Schizophrenia is a major problem, particularly among women in India. Many factors are responsible for the rise in schizophrenia among women, the major ones being social pressure and violence at home,” said Sengupta, who is also a psychiatrist.
According to Anjana Goswami, the director of Ashadeep, poor economic condition, low rate of literacy and lack of awareness are responsible for the increase in the number of mentally ill women. “More than 90 per cent of the women we rescued were married women and victims of abuse,” said Goswami.
The unique style of making different objects, including fancy items with bamboo, by two artisans of Beshimari village near Tihu in Nalbari district has helped them make a name for themselves.
Both Sanatan Rajbanshi and Mahendra Sil belong to poor families. Chandan Deka, a resident of Sialmari village in Nalbari district, assists them. The artisans have been able to popularise their products in Nepal, Mumbai, Darjeeling and Siliguri.
What happens when Bengal’s famous singer Nachiketa makes his debut in the Assamese music industry? The result is a hit Assamese album.
After making his mark with Bengali songs, Nachiketa has lent his voice for the first time to an Assamese album, Moiyo Ketiyaba Gaan Gaon. His co-singer in the album is Madhusmita Bhattacharyya. The album has been produced by HMV-SAREGAMA.
Madhusmita has carved a niche for herself in the field of Assamese and Hindi songs with a number of bestselling albums under the T-Series banner.
The album contains eight songs, four of them composed by Madhusmita. Pulak Banerjee, Bhabesh Thakur and Pranavi Ram Barua have composed the rest of the songs. The title song penned by Tafazzul Ali, stands out. The album contains lyrics by Keshab Mahanta, Parag Kumar Bhattacharyya, Nagen Bora, Navakanta Barua and Bhupen Hazarika.
