Success Stories

‘Railgadi Jhumur’ was the theme song of the first Sirish Festival. It is a modern rendition of a traditional...

The high point of the Festival was the honouring of two ‘icons’ from the tea community, one each from the fields of Literature and Culture. Ms Padumi Gazloo, a renowned writer was chosen by the APPL Foundation as the Literary Icon for Sirish 2015 while Mr Sajan Nayak, a popular singer and music composer from the community was chosen as the Cultural Icon for Sirish 2015.

Kushal Limbo took admission in the cookery class at VTC, Dam Dim, because he was inspired by his father. His father is the cook at the estate Senior Manager’s bungalow and everyone speaks very highly of his cooking. While Kushal has always looked up to his father, he also wanted to do something different with his passion for cooking. He knew he couldn’t afford to go any hotel management institute as they charge Rs. 3-4 Lakhs as course fees. Kushal had to come up with a plan which would be feasible yet allow him the opportunity to explore new avenues.

Sagar’s mother brought up his younger sister and him with great difficulty. She is the only parent they have known. Depending on agriculture as a source of income, this family of three knows only too well what it means to have to struggle to survive. Sagar found out about the ITI in Rowta from some friends in the village. As a child, he was always interested in learning about machines and how they worked so it seemed a natural thing for him to do when he decided to appear for the entrance examination.

Krishna Rabha’s closely knit family of four resides in a village 40 km away from APPITI, Rowta. His father is a daily wage earner while his mother takes care of the household. Living in a small house and within meagre means, their parents had ensured that both Krishna and his elder brother went to school. Their own life experiences had taught them that without proper education, the fate of their children would most likely resemble their own. They never wanted that for Krishna and his brother.

Devika Bora talks about the Rungamuttee Ladies Craft Centre

UNICEF and ETP have come together to launch an initiative with the objective of increasing knowledge, skills and confidence of young people, particularly girls in tea communities; improving their ‘life skills’ and protection within their communities; thereby increasing the options open to them and enabling them to make informed decisions about their future. Namroop tea estate of Amalgamated Plantations was one such garden where this programme was conducted and an adolescent girls club, Muskaan Club, was formed.

Dipak Kalindi’s family migrated from Purulia district in West Bengal four generations ago. Born and brought up on the gardens, he thinks of himself as a ‘local’ in Assam. While Dipak works as an office clerk in Hattigor estate, his passion lies elsewhere. From childhood, he was drawn towards more creative pursuits but with several mouths to feed at home and being an only son, he had to push aside all such desires. Whenever he could spare some time, he would find himself sketching or doodling on a piece of paper.