Bausha Pauwung Buchem Agri Ward, Longleng With the arrival of spring festival of Assam's Rongali bihu, the people of outside especially from bordering villages have also come to learn of an enthusiastically weeklong preparation of Assamese to celebrate this joyous occasion, is infact one of the most popular festivals. Men were making dhols to use during festival while women have been making gamosas, the traditional Assamese hand woven cotton towels to present as gift to elders and relatives. I fondly remember once we were invited to Assam's Bohag bihu by my dad's asomiya haji (dad's best friend). It was during my childhood (I think it was 1992-93) I went accompany my father from my Namsang village now under Longleng district of Nagaland to Lahongaon under Sibsagar district to attend bihu where we were warmly treated and presented with Gamosa that was white in color with red design. Relations of Assamese and Nagas began since immemorial period. People living in interstate border were regarded as brothers. For my granddad has had haji (best friend)at Assam, the chain of haji never broken as the relationship lasted descendant after decendant. There are many relatives of Assamese people with whom we used to transact business in complete harmony. At the time of Assam's festivals like Rongali and Magh bihu, Nagas were invited by Assamese brothers likewise the Assamese were invited in the Nagas' festivals. But sadly this yore friendship and cordial invitations has lost today. There were some personal quarrels on business terms or related in individuals level whose matters been conciliated in good will; however there was no border conflict or issue of land disputes between Assam and Naga. Our deep relationship, love and respect has been shattered with the infiltrations of outside nationals who with the help of police forces settled or expand tea garden beyond border lines, and an unnecessary attentiveness in border areas leads to political confrontation. Albeit, our normal businesses intercourse between two communities sustains; perpetual peace has not restored as decades back we used as fear and insecurity we feel towards others. I wish that we will get back to the old relation with loves and affections in real spirit.
