Tuesday 24 June 2014

PARTHAJIT BARUAH'S DOCUMENTARY : LAXMI ORANG : RISING FROM THE GRAVE



Summary of the documentary : LAXMI ORANG : RISING FROM THE GRAVE 
                                                                                 

All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam ( AASAA) organised a meeting at Dakshin Beltola High School Field, Guwahati, on 24th Nov. 2007 ( Saturday), to demand Schedule Tribe Status for the Adivasi Community of  Assam. Adivasis  from different corners of Assam gathered  in the meeting. The Adivasis organized a protest rally and brought out a procession but suddenly, for reasons  unknown to them, they had to disperse here and there resulting in a chaotic situation . And a clash between some local people and the Adivasis  started off. This clash was a turning point in the life of a simple minded  young  Adivasi  girl  Laxmi Orang as tragedy struck her life in the form of an ugly episode which is beyond the imagination of any civilized society. Her dream to see Guwahati  by joining in the meeting was shattered when she was stripped in the broad day light of Guwahati city by some miscreants. She ran naked looking desperately for help in the midst of all the bedlam. Laxmi Orang was psychologically traumatised.  The entire nation was shocked to have seen this brutal and inhuman act. She was forced to become a modern day Drapaudi. 24th Nov. 2007, known as Beltola Incident, is imprinted in the history of Assam as the darkest day.
But that black Saturday also marked the beginning of a journey from innocence to experience in Laxmi Orang’s life. Laxmi Orang fought back with strong will power, determination and unyielding spirit to serve and give justice  to her community and the entire woman folk. She has resurrected herself as a strong voice of the voiceless woman, an  influential  leader, a selfless social worker, a carrier of Adivasi culture and tradition and thus  has risen from the grave…