Anandibala Rabha (History of the Rabha)
Srimoti Anandibala Rabha is a household name in the south western part of Assam. A daughter of Upper Assam and a bride of Lower Assam, Anandibala Rabha is a symbol of integrity. Mrs. Rabha is one of the pioneering woman political leaders and social activists of Assam. The wife of an illustrious and pioneer political leader, Anandibala Rabha had been able to follow the path that her husband sets. In fact, she happens to be the first Rabha woman to become an M.L.A. and still today none of the Rabha woman can break the record. A popular woman with simple nature and always in helping attitude, she is popularly called as ‘Anandibaido’. She has been a source of inspiration and guiding force for the Rabha woman in particular and women folk in general.
Anandibala Rabha was born in 1936 at Nasungi village under Thengal Mouza in Jorhat District. Her father was late sukharam Hazarika, a religious minded person and Mandal of Mejanga Panbari Tea Estate. Her mother was late Bahoni Hazarika. She started her primary school education in Rangajan L.P. School and appreared scholarship examination at Titabor. After completion of primary education she was admitted in Titabor M.E. school. On completion of M.E. school study she was admitted in Jorhat Girls’ High School. While reading in class IX in that school she was appointed as teacher in Titabor M.E. school. Later on, she passed the Matriculation examination from Titabor High School. Then she took admission in J.B. College, Jorhat. When she was in intermediate course she took basic training at senior basic training centre at Roha. On completion of training she was appointed as teacher in Titabor Basic Training she was Anandibala Rabha was very active in social activities since her school life. She was Union Secretary from class VIII onwards. She was also involved in political activities since her early professional life. Anandibala Rabha got married with Hakim Rabha, a political leader of Goalpara district and after marriage she jointed as Headmistres of Dudhnoi Girls’ High School. She also studied at Goalpara College and passed B.A. from that college in 1965. In 1972 she was nominated as a congress candidate of Member of Legislative Assembly from Dudhnoi Constituency and won the seat by defeating Sarat Chandra Rabha, C.P.I. candidate. Again in 1978 she was nominated but lost the election in the hand of Jagat Patgiri, a Janata party candidate. Anandibala Rabha as a political leader took leadership in every aspects of woman welfare and developmental activities. She became the founder secretary of ‘Goalpara District Mahila Samiti’, As a woman political leader she initiated several development works of the constituency. The Dudhnoi College was brought under the deficit Grant-in-Aid system during her tenure as M.L.A. She has been nominated as member of Dudhnoi College for several times. Mrs. Rabha has to her credit of becoming member of Goalpara district Makhuma Parishad, Member of Assam Pradesh Congress committee, president of Goalpara district congress(S), etc. Besides, she was involved with almost all the woman organizations so far established during the last of the century in Goalpara district right from Dhupdhara in the east to Jalewar in the South West. She was always been ready for any sort of women welfare in the district. Besides, women welfare activities she has also been associated with Rabha Social Organizations. She has to her credit a Montessori School run by herself.
The untimely demise of her adopted son Santanu Rabha greatly shocked the iron lady of the Rabhas. This pioneering woman politician, social worker par excellence continue and leader of messes will be remembered and she will continue to inspire the womenfolk of the Rabhas in particular and Assamese in general.
Note: Based on interview held at the residence in Thekachu village.
