By Fr Felix Anthony –
Guwahati: The Assam Think Tank met at the Archbishop’s House in Guwahati to discuss the current situation in the state and its ramifications in the bordering states on 19 November 2019.
Convening the meeting for the second time after its formation in October 2018, Archbishop John Moolachira, the President of North East Regional Bishops’ Council (NERBC) and the Bishop of Guwahati Archdiocese, said the purpose of the Think Tank team is to address the local issues affecting the people and he invited the members to share the local concerns of the people to have clear picture of the current situation in the state of Assam.
Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil addressed the Think Tank with a brief summary of the overall economical, regional, cultural and political scenario in the Country and said the current situation in the country has a direct consequence with the people of North East in general and Assam in particular.
“The economy is down and it is a serious concern that needs attention”, said the former President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. Quoting the former Chief Economist of the World Bank Kaushik Basu, the Archbishop said that a divided community could lead to poor economic growth as it is visible in the country at the moment. He also cautioned the members of the Think Tank to have a reasonable approach than one that is led by emotion to have a proper solution to the pressing issues affecting the region.
The Think Tank dwelt on some of the important issues affecting the people of Assam and North East like the ‘Two-children’ policy of Assam Government, Land issue, Citizen Amendment Bill, National Register of Citizens and rising number of social media crimes.
In the context of the volatile situation in the Country and in North East, such meetings help us to be aware, alert and be prepared, said Bishop Albert Hemrom, the new President of the North East Social Communication (NESCOM).
Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil of Bongaigaon Diocese, Bishop Paul Mattekatt of Diphu, Bishop Joseph Aind of Dibrugarh, Bishop Michael Akasius Toppo of Tezpur, Bishop Dennis of Miao, Hon’ble Roselina Tirkey, MLA, Assam, Father Amal Raj, Secretary of NERBC, Father Vincent, Secretary of NESCOM, Fr. Jony PD, Executive Director of Don Bosco Institue, Guwahati, Mr. Allan Brooks, Spokesperson of Assam Christian Forum, Father Felix Anthony, PRO of NERBC, lawyers, professors and a few Priests from the region were part the the second Assam Think Tank Meet.
The meeting concluded with the decision to stand for what is right according to the Constitution and to stand with the people who are on the side of right.
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