V. REMINISCENCE of SHRI J. N. BAWRI

On 21st January 1972 Meghalaya state was carved out from the composite state of Assam and on birth of a new state a dinner party was organised at Hotel Pinewood Ashok, Shillong. Jagannath Bawri advised Captain W.A. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya and Stanley Nicholos Roy, Minister of Industries to learn lessons from the mistakes committed by Assam Government by restricting permission to entrepreneurs to establish the industries. The Industries Minister, Stanley wanted the Meghalaya State to have the industries. Shri J.N. Bawri said "let anyone start an industry and pour money in our state. If the industries are privatised, employment will be generated. If you want to nationalise, choose only those which have profitable prospects". But J.N. Bawri found that the Minister was not convinced.

Here it would not be out of place to mention that the idea of development of Industries and to bring finances from outside of the state was watched with suspicion since there has been a lurking apprehension in the minds of tribal leaders that with the establishment of industries the influx non tribals would be accelerated as the industries would be labour intensive and the local tribal youth, being deprived of technical education would not find employment opportunities in the new industries. Thus, this approach may have a backlash and the leaders may have to face the question of `Cultural influx' in the otherwise tribal cultural milieu.

I may remind the readers that as late as 1990-91 when the government wanted to survey the area of Meghalaya to prepare a plan of establishing rail link with rest of India there was a public agitation against the government's move. It would not be a guess to state that in such an agitation there were vested interests of transporters who find a lucrative business in maintaining constant supply in and out of Meghalaya through road and in return gain huge margins of profit. J.N. Bawri, while advising the Industries Minister, had in mind not only the economic upliftment of tribal people but by increasing their family income, they may march ahead in the field of education, arts and literature.

While presiding over the reception given to Shri J.N. Bawri at the Parliament house, New Delhi, Shri Balram Jakhar, the then Speaker of the Parliament told that Shri J.N. Bawri is the first person in the North-Eastern Region to be awarded the National Citizens Award. He was optimistic and wished that others would follow up the role model of Shri Bawri and would continue the spirit of dedication and selfless service epitomised by him.

The North-Eastern Region chapter of Congress Party in its meeting scheduled to be held at Guwahati Assam, a stage was decorated for this purpose. In the noon session of the party Shri Kamala Pati Tripathi attended the meeting. He observed that sofa sets were kept on the stage for the prominent leaders while others were supposed to sit on the mattresses placed on the floor. He did not appreciate this discriminatory treatment between leaders of regional state and national level. He asked Hiteswar Saikia to remove the sofa sets. Saikia could not understand the disapproval of Shri Tripathi on the seating arrangement. He called J.N. Bawri who after consulting Tripathi, explained to Saikia and the latter requested Shri Bawri to see that seating arrangement as desired by Shri Tripathi may be made immediately.

In 1975 J.E. Tariang and J.N. Bawri want to meet Shri Umashankar Dixit, the then Union Home Minister in the Secretariat in his chamber at New Delhi, while discussing Shri Dixit expressing his displeasure over the way of the working of Shri Deb Kant Barua, the President of the AICC(I). Shri Barua was very influential those days and is often remembered for his slogan "Indira is India and India is Indira". J.N. Bawri very politely express, "Dixitji, Shri Barua is an influential man and he is in the very good books of Indiraji". to this Dixitji replied "So what. He does not understand the thing", and quoted a poem from the Ramayana and explained it too. While returning from the Secretariat J.E. Tarian commented, "Bawri, I have seen wherever you go, leaders like you and confide in you". J.N. Bawri went to meet Shri K.C. Pant, the Union Home Minister at his residence. Shri Pantji called him to his inner chamber and introduced the other three M.Ps., who were sitting there. Gradually, casual discussions took place. Shri K.C. Pant went to his living room. Knowing that J.N. Bawri hailed from Shillong one of the M.Ps. confidently said, "I know the area, I have been to Cherrapunjee which is in Pakistan". By that time Bangladesh as an independent country was already in existence. Shri J.N. Bawri could not resist in commenting that Cherrapunjee had always been a part of India. He minced no wards in expressing his displeasure of poor knowledge of National Leaders at New Delhi about the North-Eastern Region. This inadequate knowledge of the region has adversely affected the interests of the state. Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, the General Secretary of AICC (I) (1975) was given the charge of North Eastern areas. J.E. Tariang, the President of M.P.C.C.I. and J.N. Bawri went to meet Shri Rao in Delhi. While discussing some issues and problems of the N.E. Region, Shri Rao angrily told Tariang, "Do you think that the State will not run without you". J.N. Bawri clarified the matter what actually J.E. Tariang meant. Shri Rao finally agreed and was very helpful for the part work in Meghalaya. Dr. S.D. Sharma, the President of India visited Shillong when he was Congress Secretary, AICC(I) in 1962 which was a trying-time for North-East India. J.N. Bawri arranged a Press Conference at Hotel Pinewood Ashok, Shillong. Dr. Sharma had to respond to many crucial questions. He handled the questions so intelligently and replied to the satisfaction of the Press. The pressmen of local dailies were very happy and commented that he knows his subject matter very well and has explained to us very nicely.

In 1973, the President of India Shri Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed had agreed to inaugurate the Meghalaya Plywoods Ltd. at Burnihat in Meghalaya. He was supposed to come to Burnihat by helicopter from Borjhar Airport. He was advised by the attending doctors not to travel by road. Since the flight was not cleared due to security reasons his visit was deferred. In the meantime, Shri T.A. Pai, the Union Minister for Industries consented to inaugurate the Meghalaya Plywoods Ltd. The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Capt. W.A. Sangma and Stanley Nicholos Roy, the State's Industries Minister were also present. Shri Pai congratulated the people and specially Shri Bawri for taking a courageous steps to set up an industry and also advised the state government to install a watch factory. During the inaugural ceremony Shri N. Roy asked Shri J.N. Bawri, "Was it not the same thing you told me on my way to Europe". Shri J.N. Bawri had arranged collaboration with a Switzerland company for manufacture of watches in Shillong. Shri Roy had fairly good knowledge of watch making. Bawri had a visit arranged for Nicholos Roy to a factory at Switzerland on his return journey from Europe. After concluding his visit, Nicholos Roy commented that he had seen a Punjabi gentleman making clocks in Calcutta and that it was not running well. J.N. Bawri explained that he talking of watches and not clocks which does not require much technical knowhow. Shri Nicholos Roy was not convinced, so the factory could not materialise. When Shri T.A. Pai was commenting on the watch factory, Nicholos Roy then wanted to establish an assembly unit in Meghalaya. J.N. Bawri did not agree to this proposal as it would not generate sufficient employment in Meghalaya and hence did not participate in it. Later Hindustan Machine Tools opened an assembly unit in Shillong and today it is in shambles.

Shri Rajan Goswami, an advocate by profession father of the Union Law Minister Shri Dinesh Goswami was a colleague of Shri Bawri. In the Shillong Municipal Board office he asked Bawri why he had gone to caste his vote in the All India Congress Election, where Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Shri Probin Choudhury were contesting, Shri J.N. Bawri replied, "I know the election result and I have committed to Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to vote for him and I cannot do otherwise". Shri Rajan Goswami who was not in favour of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed insisted to go along with him in his car for casting the vote. J.N. Bawri told him, "you may go, I will not go in your car. I will be coming in my car". To this Goswami replied, "You can vote for whom so ever you like but you can come along with me". J. N. Bawri went and cast his vote in favour of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed knowing well that the latter would not win. While counting the votes it was found that Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed secured only one vote. He, in spite of having the knowledge that he is backing up a loser, did not fail to keep his word given to F.A. Ahmed.

Mr. B.K. Nehru, Ambassador of India (earlier Governor of Meghalaya) asked J.N. Bawri in London to carry a big package to be delivered at Guwahati. Simultaneously Capt. W.A. Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya requested J.N. Bawri to take one of his baggage to Shillong, since he had excess luggage with him. J.N. Bawri could not refuse any of them knowing fully well that he could not carry so much luggage nor did he have enough foreign currency for excess baggage. He politely accepted the extra baggage. He asked Capt. Sangma to give the key in case the customs wanted to check it. On his way he landed at Rome and kept the luggage in the airport. Within a short time he noticed a number of people were staring at him. J.N. Bawri could not understand the reason of this strange behaviour. It suddenly dawned upon him that the baggage ticket attached to the box read Capt. W.A. Sangma, Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya, India. He promptly removed the ticket announcing the identity of the owner.

Shri Bishnuram Medhi, Ex-Chief Minister of Assam and then Governor of Madras (now Tamilnadu) returned back to Assam and became M.L.A. J.N. Bawri went to his residence at Guwahati. Medhi was very happy to see J.N. Bawri. He asked for Montu, his brother-in-law and Medhi promptly called him. Medhi thought, J.N. Bawri wants to contact his brother-in-law in connection with forthcoming election of Chief Minister and may propose his name. But Bawri clarified that it is just a courtesy call and no importance should be attached.

While going to Upper Assam, J.N. Bawri met Motiram Bora, MLA (once a Minister) at Nowgaon. Here also Bora gave importance to J.N. Bawri's visit as if he was meeting him for some political reasons. Hence the politicians of North-East India in general and Assam and Meghalaya in particular held Bawri in high esteem since he knew almost all the elitiest politicians of the country in post independence era.

There was a crucial Congress Party meeting at the residence of Capt. W.A. Sangma, Chief Minister in 1977 and heated discussion took place there. Edwin Bareh, Minister pointing to J.N. Bawri said here is the friend of J.E. Tariang, who left the Party and formed a group. J.N. Bawri replied, "I am proud that I am a friend of J.E. Tariang but not at the cost of the Party". Others were surprised but appreciated the prompt reply.

During 1965 he undertook an All India Tour by his car. When in Punji in Goa, his friend asked him to wait since he wanted to meet one of his friends. He took quite a long time, J.N. Bawri was eager to reach Bangalore. The attraction for him was the Brindaban Garden. But his friend was taking longer time. He became restless. Sometimes he would look at the watch and then look through the windlass. The driver said, "Babu, your eagerness and repeated looking back will not advance your friend's coming". `What a good remark by that driver'; J.N. Bawri yet remembers that version of the driver and appreciate it. Once J.N. Bawri's elder brother L.R. Bawri and his friend Rameshwarlal Jalan were engrossed in conversation in Marwari language at the Weekly Bara Bazar Shop. One of his young labourer from Bhutan (referred as Bhutia) was present but could not follow the subject of discussion. All of a sudden he took few pieces of batan (timber) and a stack of dry grass and asked, can anyone burn these batan without the help of hay. This sudden outburst of Bhutia was perplexing. But J.N. Bawri paid attention and learned that Bhutia wanted to convey that without involving him in the discussion and seeking cooperation from fellow workers a solution to a problem cannot be worked out. J.N. Bawri did not hesitate to involve him too in the discussion and a solution to the problem was not difficult to find.

One Gorkha labour was working in 1940 at the rate of Rs.13/- (Rupees thirteen) per month to look after cows in the homestead in Bara Bazar. As the World War II broke out, this Gorkha labour wanted to join army and later was posted at the army camp in Bara Bazar area. One day the cows of Bawri family while grazing reached the premises of Army Camp. The soldiers impounded the cows and kept them in the camp. The Gorkha identified the cows since he used to take them for grazing while in service of Bawri family. He explained his colleagues that the cows are not astray but owned by Bawri and persuaded them to release so that he may lead them to their rightful owner. This gesture on his part was appreciated by Bawri. He was called and as a token of his loyalty and honesty, paid handsome reward.

J.N. Bawri attended the Tripura Congress Session in 1939 as a delegate from Assam. He recalls that the session was so important that Subhash Chandra Bose, the then president of Congress, in spite being down with fever (104 degree F) attended it.

After its concluding session Bawri went for sight-seeing, Allahabad and Varanashi. In Allahabad he visited the Anand Bhawan. While in Varanasi he wanted to visit the Vishwanath Mandir. The ekkawala (driver of one pony driver cart), in order to get a good tip took him to a panda (Priest for rituals performed on the banks of Ganga) and pursued Shri Bawri to perform certain rituals in order to seek peace for his ancestors. Shri Bawri refused and did not relent since he did not believe in such rituals but did not deprive the panda from his fee. Instead for his services he paid him twenty-five paise and returned back to his camp.

J.E. Tariang, President, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee and J.N. Bawri as member of AICC went together for arrangement of Meghalaya delegation. J.E. Tariang asked J.N. Bawri that we must have arrangement for the site seeing for the delegates at Delhi. They were taken from bus stand to Dharmasala and arranged free lodging. Similarly during AICC session at Calcutta, J.E. Tariang, Prof. B.B. Dutta and J.N. Bawri were asked by Capt. W.A. Sangma, Chief Minister to go in advance and arrangement to receive a large delegation from Meghalaya. There the arrangement for stay and food were made under the supervisions of West Bengal Congress Committee. The arrangements made there were inadequate and almost non existent. Hence the three leaders made frantic efforts but with no result. Lastly J.N. Bawri said, "we can not depend tomorrow then what we will do?" Having good contact with firend's, he had to arrange. Wherever he contacted he was told that all Dharamshala, Guest Houses, and Vishram Bhawans were booked by Congress Party through local M.L.A. who was non-cooperative in accommodating delegates from Meghalaya. Lastly J.N. Bawri used his influence and good relation and managed to reserve seats in two Dharamshala situated at Mahatma Gandhi Road and a kitchen was started to supply food, tea, etc. Next day early morning J.E. Tariang and J.N. Bawri went to Sealdah Railway Station to fetch the delegates. Surprisingly, there was no trace of the members of Receiption Committee nor the buses as promised to the delegates coming from all over India. J.N. Bawri arranged local buses to take the delegates to Dharamshala.

However, keeping the conveniences and local procedure in view ehen the tea was served in Sincora (earthen cups) many delegates did not appreciate it since in Meghalaya people are used to take tea in glazed clay cups. J.N. Bawri once again used his wits to avert a showdown.

The AICC Youth Conference was held in Shillong. J.N. Bawri was asked to provide free vegetarian food. The conference was attended by Rajiv Gandhi. J.N. Bawri gladly too the responsibility to serve free food to thousands of delegates and local leaders and volunteers. Here non-congress men entered in the affairs and tried to creat troubles just to bring bad name but could not do so due to alertness of J.N. Bawri. When K.C. Pant, Union Minister came to Shillong to address Congress Party meeting, arrangement was made without any disturbance. A big delegation from all over the Meghalaya came to Shillong and J.N. Bawri was entrusted to give free vegetarian food and Mrs. D.D. Lapang had to look after non-vegatarian food items. Good coordination was there between them and the delegates, volunteers were quite happy with the arrangements.

Bawri recalls his youthful days when in early morning he used to run to Pologround to play football and after strenuous game would return and take bath. After breakfast he would go to Alugodam to buy potatoes and the rice which were brought across from Mynmar through Steamer to the port of Calcutta. Then by boat or rail to Guwahati and from Guwahati to Shillong town to alugodam by hand cart. Potatoes were sold at the rate of 2 anna (about 12 paise) per maund (approx. 37 kgs.) while the rice was at the rate of 8 or 9 anna (75 paise) per maund. At Alugodam growers used to bring potatoes on their back in a huge basket from Smit and nearby places, sweathing and on their return journey take back rice. This reminds him how the boys of those days worked hard. One of them was Randonsing Lyngdoh who later held the chair of Speaker of Meghalaya Assembly. Professor Radosing Lyngdoh used to remember those days. He shared such memories with J.N. Bawri. There are many who can be quoted here like K.M. Diengdoh of Cherra who started his career with only rupees five going to Bholagunj on foot for business purposes. Late Jndronath and Molendronath Swer use to walk from Cherra to Shillong along with the pony cart carrying loads/coal/goods. Professor Shengpang Nongbri, Principal of Laban College used to wolk every day from Smit to Shillong to attend School. R.T. Rymbai used to walk to Shillong from Jowai. He held many important and high offices in the government.

Bawri recalls his foot march of fourteen miles from Mawmulluh of Cherra in 1950 to arrange the airlifting of oranges from Shella to Calcutta. He carried his vegetarian food during the foot march and enjoyed the hilly pathways interspread with deep gorges. He opened his tiffin and looked for a companion. He wanted to invite a person to take vegetarian food with him since he always enjoyed sharing his food with others. He met a person who was also marching ahead and after exchanging some formal words, he too partook the food. After lapse of many years he happened to meet Shri Dilip Singh the then Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Meghalaya. During a private chat Dilip Singh remarked that it was he who gave company to Bawri during his lunch on way to Cherra.

It was customary, on the eve of Holi, that the women folk of Marwari community would descend on the deserted roads in the early hours and sing songs. Bawri at that time was just a fourteen year old boy and discussed the womenfolk to sing in full public view. He, after consulting his friends decided to protest against this custom by organising a Satyagrah in the early hours of the day. He took bath with cold water in the coldest month and frosting in and around is a regular feature. After his bath he hid himself in a verandah of a shop and waited for his colleaques to come. But no colleaque turned up early and there was dim light descending upon the distant horizon. He saw women's procession coming out singing and he jumped on the road chanting chachi (aunti). The ladies shrieked with this sudden shout and were scared and passed through without singing. J.N. Bawri left relieved for this success. Since then Bawri made efforts to improvise the building of houses in order to sustain the earthquakes. The Assam type house structure was introduced and built from timber with Ekra walling and mud-lime plastering. This structure was influenced from the house structure of Japan and hence commonly referred as Japanese method of house building. It can sustain earthquakes and damages are of minimum scale.

Shri Sree Prakasha, Governor of Composite Assam before his retirement called Shri J.N. Bawri who he loved to talk and asked him "What are you", J.N. Bawri was quite young and inexperienced to answer such questions. Even though he replied, "I am first Indian and then Assamese". Prakashji's reply was "You are thinking that you are Assamese will not go a long way, untill the locals think that you are Assamese".

Indian were fleeing away from Myanmar when Japanese forces were advancing during World War II. In Assam people were penicky watching the conditions of the refugees. Many people left Assam too after hearing that bombs are being dropped at Calcutta and Madras. Even the people of Shillong were panicky and they had to run away from Shillong Those days you could not see even dogs and birds. So there was no question of human being. At the busiest place Motphran in Bara Bazar for few days, J.N. Bawri strongly protested and told his elder brothers that he would prefer to die here than leaving Shillong. His brothers and other family members did not leave Khasi Hills. Instead they rented a house at lower Cherrapunjee where they made a hide out since a bus carrying mail was plying on the route and it was not difficult to ride on it in case of emergency. Cherrapunjee is known for maximum rainfall in the World. It happened one day that Mail bus broke down at Cherra due to heavy rain at night. J.N. Bawri had to go to fetch his mail from Cherra. On reaching the Post Office, where rainfall used to be recorded, he found that by noon 38" (thirtyeight inches) of rain fall has already been recorded. One can imagine how much rain would had been poured during the remaining part of the day.

Shri Deshmukh, Union Minister, Government of India with his wife who was also a Member of Parliament visited the Ramkrishna Mission at Cherrapunjee. He was given a Memorandum where it was mentioned that it was difficult to get drinking water. It had shocked him to learn that a place which has the highest rainfall in the world, people are not getting drinking waster. This was explained to him, whatever rain falls, the water passes through the barren Hills to valley (now Bangladesh) and there is no arrangement to preserve the rain water.

Mr. Harrison Kyndiah had been a very respectable person and was said to be a King-maker in the Municipal Election of South East Mawkhar. Shri Nowa Rymbai, Advocate was the sitting Ward Commissioner, got his blessing for the coming election. J.N. Bawr also decided to contest it. He was too young. On the day of election Harrison was sitting outside the gate for result with exhibiting confidence. Harrison said "I did not vote for you". Bawri's reply was, "One and all have voted for me including you Bah" (title of respect). So I have won. He greeted him with blessings.

August 1962 was the turbulent time for Assam also when Chinese forces were advancing towards Eastern India, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri the then Union Minister came to Guwahati Airport with Biju Patnaik. J.N. Bawri happened to be there to see Biju Patnaik whom he knew. A group of agitated advocated and some other prominent residents of Guwahati came asking Shastriji who was sitting and enjoying his orange piece by piece. "Why", Patnaik said where is he? By that time, Biju Patnaik had returned from Tezpur. A man six feet tall said, "I am here" What you are to say to those who have given their blood and life in the border, who have defended all of us". The matter subsided there. Bimala Prasad Chaliha, Chief Minister of Assam wanted donations for the expenditure incurred on purchase of war equipments like tanks, planes, etc., by the Government of India, as at that time, India was not prepared fully. This aggression was India's eye opener. J.N. Bawri arranged a meeting at Sein Jaintia Hall at Qualapatty. B. Chaliha also spoke in the meeting. Business community and others became very emotional and started giving donations whole-heartedly even their ornaments, jewellery. This was properly recorded by Balachandra I.C.S. Officer. B. Chaliha seeing this became emotional and thanked Bawri for arranging the meeting and for the contributions.

It cannot be forgotten the joy we all have when G.N. Bordoloi was sworn in as Premier of Assam with his colleaque Fakharuddin Ali Ahmed, Bishnuram Medhi, Siddhi Nath Sharma, Baidya Nath Mukherjee and others as Ministers for Congress Government in 1938 which was made possible due to Subhash Chandra Bose's programme in Shillong. He threatened the Governor after consultation with Bhola Bhai Desai that if Bordoloi is not allowed to swear in inspite of having majority, all other States of Congress Government will resign. This compelled the Governor to allow Bordoloi to hold the office.

Similarly in the nigh of 14th and 15th August, 1947, happiness and joy had no bounds when all of us at Shillong celebrated the freedom by fire work, lighting and meeting each other happily and hoisting our tricolour. J.N. Bawri went on all India tour in 1945. He visited Haridwar, Mussoorie, Jwalaji, Kangra Valley, Kashmir, Delhi and his forefather's native place Bissau in Rajasthan. This journey was more thanks giving for achieving independence than a sight seeing tour.

One day he entered in the cellar (Gabaria) and found many Charra (Gun) Sword, Daggar, Dhal, Camel back saddle etc. He chose once nice Talwar (Sword) and came out and went to his uncle for permission to take it to Shillong. Seeing the open sword in the hand of J.N. Bawri, his runcle became furious and abused him, "Do you know this sword has sucked blood, number of times. You have taken it open i.e. out of Meyan (Sheath) in your hand". This J.N. Bawri could not understand. Then he was told that once a sword is taken out of the meyan, it is never put back without drawing blood. Here without hesitation J.N. Bawr put the blade on his finger, said, "If so, I am giving my blood". Surprised, seeing this, his uncle cooled down and realised his nephew did not know the traditions of Rajasthan. He explained to J.N. Bawri that the sword is always kept in sheath. If it is drawn naked in hand then it is customary and it would be secured in th seath only after being put to use. After this J.N. Bawri felt relieved and offered to give blood. Permission was given and he was allowed to take the sword to Shillong which was brought after getting a new Meyan (cover) at Jaipur.

It is interesting to note that after staying for three days J.N. Bawri wanted to start from Bissau to Shillong. His uncle Ramnarayan Bawri asked to him to stay some days more as he had come for the first time. But J.N Bawri insisted that he wanted to leave Bissau. At the time of his departure, it started raining and his uncle said, "You may go now". Bawri was thinking what to do. He being Shillong boy was not afraid of rain but how to go five miles on Eka (came drawn cart) to Churu Railway Station. Luckily, after one hour intensity of rain subsided and immediately he called for the Eka and put his bedding and box on it, and went to his uncle for permission. Uncle said "you are very adament, too," and he blessed him.

Later on J.N. Bawri understood that people before journey consult astrologer to find out the suitable day and time to undertake the journey. He was told that rainfall is considered to be a good omen before undertaking a journey.

J.N. Bawri was the architect of Co-ordination Committee for North Eastern States to unite the segments of all states to work with mutual understanding for the benefit of all people. He talked to Hokhesie Sewa, Chief Minister of Nagaland and President of the NP. C. Committee. This was appreciated by him. J.N. Bawri conveyed this to Capt. W.A. Sangma, the then Chief Minister of Meghalaya and MPCC President later to Lal Thanghawala, President Mizoram PCC. All agreed to form such a Coordination Committee. This first meeting was conveyed at Dimapur. Shri J.N. Bawri arranged everything. Capt. Sangma, Lal Thanghawala, D.D. Lapang, then Secretary, Meghalaya Predesh Congress Committee and Bawri reached Dimapur. All were received at Dimapur by Hokhesie Sema with others. In the joint J.N. Bawri explained the purpose of the meeting. After a long discussion, it was agreed in principle to form a North Eastern Coordination Committee under the Presidentship of Capt. W.A. Sangma. It was decided to have next meeting for further discussion at Shillong. Today North Eastern States Coordination Committee is vibrant and has become an indispensable part of Congress party's organisational structure in North East India.

J.N. Bawri having his office and industry at Dimapur was told by Hokhesie to play the role of a host since Bawri has his business establishment in Nagaland. You are to look after the guests who arrived with you. At night a part was organised at Gurumukh Singh's residence. Hospitablity and goodness of Hokhesie Sema could not be forgotten. He went out of his way at 11.30 P.M. (night) to give lift to J.N. Bawri and others at Leeugard 9 miles in spite of repeated request by J.N. Bawri not to trouble himself. Number of meetings were organised later on at Shillong, Arunachal Pradesh, Dimapur. At Dimapur Smt. Indira Gandhi then Prime Minister of India attended the meeting but Mrs. Anwara Taimur, the then Chief Minister of Assam was reluctant to associate herself in this forum but she ultimately joined.

After second World War J.J. Nicholos Roy came back to Shillong from America. He was earlier in the Sir Sadulla Ministry when Congress came to power in 1938 in Assam. J.N. Bawri pursuaded him to come in Congress fold. In order to keep him as an active member he was given a ticket to contest for Assembly election. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly and was made a Minister. He made his contribution by introducing the Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India for the benefit of the tribal people. In the same way, Mr. Bolnobi Khongwir was taken in the Congress Party and was elected M.L.A. J.N. Bawri had arranged meetings and campaigning for the success of the party canditates. When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru came to Shillong, he said in the meetings that `even if Congress nominates a stick, you are to vote for it'.

In 1939 J.N. Bawri inducted for the first time Shri Shullai who was a sitting M.L.A. from Jowai, Jaintia Hills. During this period there was no motorable road to Jowai and one has to go by boad. Although he lost the election but gave the oppoent a tough fight, Rohini Chowdhury gave moral support to Shri J.N. Bawri and appreciated the boost he gave, while contesting that election under Congress banner. Others, who give support were Lakhan Shullai, K.R. Dey etc. J.N. Bawri first saw Mahatma Gandhi when he was eight years old and was sitting on his father's lap in the Congress Session at Pandu, Guwahati in 1928. The second time he saw Gandhiji at Guwahati when some friends arranged to go to Guwahati on bicycle when the parents saw determination on his face to catch glimpses of Gandhi, they allowed him to go by bus since the hilly terrain was not suitable for cycle riding.

Due to J.N. Bawri taking active part in Congress in pre-independence era, his family suffered greatly in the hands of the British Government. In the business dealings too, British put forth constraints. One of the member- his eldest brother Puranmullji was so disgusted that he migrated to Nepal. Sir Sadullah who was the Premier of Assam was not happy when Subhash Bose came to Shillong and address meetings at Polo and Dinam Hall in Mawkhar which was organised by J.N. Bawri and his party. After the meeting at Dinam Hall in Mawkhar J.N. Bawr took Bose in his car for relaxation at Ashlay Hall near Ward Lake. On returning, he found commotion at Motphran and many Congress personnel were insulted. He was further informed that Sir Sadullah arranged this with J.J. Nicholos Roy. Quite a large number of persons like Parsha Nath Chowdhury (later became M.L.A.) Kereti Babu, Ukhel Bhattacharjee, Balmukund Sharma has taken shelter in the Gaddi-cum- residence of J.N. Bawri at Bara Bazar Police Point which had become a target of disgruntled elements within the party.

Agitatiors were outside, and damaging the bus that was standing outside. They wanted to break open the doors of the house, but local friends did not allow them to do so. Inside the house abusing was going on by the brothers of J.N. Bawri that he being the youngest in the family, had to bear with it. Neverthless, J.N. Bawr had taken a pledge not to give up and carried on till the independence of India was achieved. In course of time, when Congress and regional party searched for a unanimous leader, J.N. Bawri played a decisive role by bringing Capt. W.A. Sangma and B.B. Lyngdoh together and finally to come to an understanding to share the power with the regional party leader Shri B.B. Lyngdoh as Chief Minister to be sowrn in first and Capt. W.A. Sangma as Chairman of Planning Board. After two and a half years power will be handed over to Congress with Capt. W.A. Sangma as Chief Minister and B.B. Lyngdoh will be Chairman of Planning Board. Such an arrangement worked wonder and Meghalaya State Could witness the political stability, since no single party could ever achieve the required majority in the Assembly.

Capt. W.A. Sangma was worried whether handing over power will take place as arranged and at the same time was commenting to J.N. Bawri that it may not materialise at all. J.N. Bawri had full confidence in spite of so many rumours that B.B. Lyngdoh will not keep his word and told Capt. Sangma that he had a talk with Shri Lyngdoh and finally that happened and Capt. Sangma took over as Chief Minister as arranged. At later stage both of them were not pulling well. J.N. Bawri was not happy on this. So he arranged thrice personal meetings for them to sort out of the differences and their non cooperation was narrowed down to a large extent.

In the field of social service, Bawri was a social worker of par excellence. His efforts leave prints on many events organised to provide selfless service to needy people. As for example holding a Free Eye Campe for treatment and opthalmological operations at Shillong on 26th October, 1991 wherein 954 patients from all over Khasi and Jaintia Hills were give not only free consultancy but medicines too. 36 patients were operated by a team of doctors under the eminent Eye Specialist Dr. Pinaki Ray who has more than one lakh twenty thousand eye operations to his credit. The doctors in his team were from Malda and other cities of North West Bengal. patients were also provided free accommodation and meals for 10 days. The patients prescribed lenses were provided spectacles also free of cost.

One the closing day of the camp Shri Madhukar Dighe, Hon'ble

Governor of Meghalaya appreciated such efforts and highlighted that the patients in such health camps have come from those remote villages of the hills where medical facilities are yet to be made available. For Bawri's family it was an occasion of coming home. Many brothers and sisters had come to offer their services in the organisation of camp and many of them were addressing each other in person for the first time. It was a family reunion for a cause of humanity.

For the handicapped people a Free Camp was organised by J.N. Bawr Trust on 31st July 1993 where 34 persons were given free food. All the patients were provided with lodging and food. For the entire period of their stay which was considerably long since many sittings with experts required to allow them to fix the artificial foot. These people who were handicapped and had lost all hope to rise again on their foot were crying with joy when after successfull tests and exercises they could stand on their foot. Their relatives accompanying them bowed with gratitude and their eyes shed tears of joy looking at dear ones walking with support. The eyes of Bawri and his family members were wet too with a sense of satisfaction.