19 May: AHSEC incorporate ‘Bhasa Swahid Divas’ as Observance Day & includes it in its Academic Calendar

April 22: There are certain days which goes down the annals of history for time immemorial and becomes a source of inspiration and a signature event for posterity to take pride in. 19 May is such a date for the people of Barak Valley, which would remain alive forever in the heart of hearts of millions who loves & respects their own mother tongue. 11 persons attained martyrdom on this day at Silchar in 1961. The day holds a special significance for the people of Barak Valley.

Finally, on the popular demand of the people of this valley, Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has included “19 May: ‘Bhasa Swahid Divas’ as Observance Day” and included it in its Academic Calendar of 2022-23. However, it was stated that the day will be observed only in the schools of Barak Valley. The said Academic Calendar contains 33 Observance Days in 2022-23 including the Bhasa Swahid Divas on 19 May.

Further, in the Academic Calendar, Assam Higher Secondary Education Council has also included activities to be undertaken during the Observance of each of these 33 days. As regards the ‘Bhasa Swahid Divas’ on 19 May, the AHSEC has stated the following activity to be undertaken during the day: Discuss the significance of ‘Bhasa Swahid Divas’ (in Barak Valley Schools).”

Apart from 19 May, AHSEC in its Academic Calendar also mentioned ‘Observance Day’ on 9 May to commemorate the birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. On that day, the following activity was recommended: ‘Discuss about the contribution, life history of Rabindranath Tagore, organise competition on Rabindra Sangeet, Art, Dance etc.’

It needs mention here that the same Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) on 11 April notified that Higher Secondary (HS) First Year Examination- 2022 will be started from the 4 May, 2022 and will end on 28 May, 2022. The exam schedule of HS 1st year was also issued. However, since then, there has been resentment from Barak Valley as per the exam schedule, along with other days, examinations were also to be held on Rabindra Jayanti (10 May) and Bhasa Shaheed Divosh (19 May).

Barak Upottaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan vehemently opposed this and sent memorandum to the AHSEC which conducts the Higher Secondary examinations. Some other associations also protested as these two days (Rabindra Jayanti & 19 May) are very close to the hearts of the Bengalis.

Finally, in a notification issued by the Controller of Examination of Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) on 18 April, 2022, the examination of HS 1st year which was supposed to be held on 19 May was rescheduled on 31 May, 2022. However, AHSEC did not reschedule the examination on the day of Rabindra Jayanti (10 May). Moreover, the Council also rescheduled the English examination, which was to be held on 4 May. This paper will now be held on 30 May.

Also Read: Yielding to demand of Barak, AHSEC reschedules HS 1st year exam to be held on 19 May