‘Mariani’ Assam’s Potential Business Hub

By Peter Alex Todd

Guwahati, Apr 26 : Mariani, a town situated on Nagaland-Assam border, is gradually transforming into a business hub. With peace prevailing in the region, the youth here are increasingly taking up business related ventures.

Mariani is in Titabor District, and about 17 kilometers from Jorhat. Markets here bustle with activity. New trade complexes are coming up and this encouraging youth to take up business as a career.

“People from outside regions come and do business here and we are earning handsomely like 15-16k per month,” said Dilip Kumar Saha, a shopkeeper.
With peace gradually returning to Assam and Nagaland, traders have reason to be optimistic.

“Many people in Nagaland depend on Mariani for jobs. So in this town the government should lay emphasis on trade and commerce. If peace prevails, the region definitely has a lot of potential,” said Mintu Kolita, a businessman in Mariani.

Just five to six kilometers away from the Mariani is Dehingia village, a small hamlet with 85 households and a population of 1600. The village has a school and work is in progress to construct a road that will connect it to Mariani.

Funded by the Centre and state, the road that is being built by the Border Road Development Organization (BRDO) is a boon for people, when completed.

This is not all… Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme provides a source of livelihood to many people.
Villagers demand for the promotion of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

“The NREGA is going on, and it is going on at a good speed. We should get 100 days of work so that expenses can be taken care of. It will be of great help to us,” said Pobitra Saikia, a villager. Pottery is the main source of income for the people in this region. They make clay pots and sell them in nearby markets.

“We make pots. We make our living from it and feed our children from it. Business is good, profits are good,” said Mahesh, a potter. Though there is some border conflict between Assam and Nagaland, but people on both sides live in harmony.

They are not bothered about such issues and are engaged in day-to-day business activities. “There is no conflict, people are peaceful and relate to each other and the dispute is on National Highway and it will be nice if state government of Assam and Nagaland give more efforts for development of the region. And it would be nice if state government solves this issue peacefully,” said Temsuyanger Aier, Mokokchung, Nagaland.