My Photo-journalism: This picture is edited by conjoining 3 different images.

Guwahati’s Baking Bonds with Shaikh Brothers

Shaikh Brothers Building

Nearly 125 years ago, Shaikh Ghulam Ibrahim, a young and an enterprising youth from Hoogly district in Bengal came to Assam to execute a construction related business when Guwahati- Shillong Road was rebuilt by Maula Baux, the famous contractor of those times. During his visit Ghulam Ibrahim realized Assam’s good potentialities for bakery business where a good number of Britishers were settled by that time. Ibrahim’s family was then doing a roaring business at their bakery in Calcutta's Mirzapur Street. However, their business in Calcutta suffered seriously due to a plague epidemic in early 1880’s. Thus, at that time Shaikh Ghulam Ibrahim decided to proceed Assam to diversify and expand his .                                                                                     business beyond Calcutta. 

The 100 year old heritage chair of Shaikh Ghulam Ibrahim

Shaikh Ghulam Ibrahim and his brothers Shaikh Sobiruddin and Shaikh Kabiruddin also joined him and thus Messrs Shaikh Brothers was established in 1885. The British settelers and the emerging middle class led to provide a good bakery market in Assam. Considerations like distance vision, and the challenge to introduce something new convinced the Shaikh Brothers about a bright bakery business in Assam. The present RCC building of Shaikh Brothers was previously an Assam type house. The present owner of Shaikh Brothers, Shaikh Shaheen Nawaz stated that they import wheat and cheese from Australia, Hoves ( a type of yeast for fermentation) from Belgium, cashewnuts from Goa, dry dates and raisins from North India and Peshawar. Workers are generally employed from Bengal, Bihar and Assam. Now Shaikh Brothers also sells cosmetics and medicines other than bakery products. The good old Shaikh Brothers still use big old baking ovens for baking purpose. Guwahatians thronged Shaikh Brothers to buy their favourite cakes and cookies, patties, pizzas, pastries, etc. A special paratha ‘Bakar- Khani’ is one of the popular delicacy of Shaikh Brothers. 

Thus, Messrs Shaikh Brothers is an integral part of Guwahati’s heritage. It has watched a small town grow into a thriving metropolis. Since 125 years Shaikh Brothers played an important role to increase the taste buds of Guwahatians.

This video link will take you round the interiors of Shaikh Brothers:  http://youtu.be/_P-ekKeTGj8

STRENGTH OF RURAL WOMEN AND THEIR UPLIFTMENT

My Photo film on " Strength of Rural Women and their upliftment". Just have look on the link below to watch the video,http://youtu.be/B23wzO2kGeM

Cachar’s Fishing Hub Gets World Bank Exposure

Fishermen catching fish in pond 

Hathitila,   a small village is  about 30 km drive from Silchar is regarded to be the only haven of rich fishing business in this region. The village has over 100 ponds widely spread in this fishing hub of Cachar. Hathitila is the main source of fish import in Silchar, Karimganj, Hailakandi and other districts. Recently World Bank took a special initiative to emancipate this area by sanctioning about Rs. 35 lakhs to the local villagers of Hathitila including Irongmara, Dwarbond and other adjoining areas.


Altogether nine residents of Hathitila are benefited from this scheme. Arjun Pashi, the local fisherman and beneficiary stated that he recieved around Rs.5 lakhs to boost his fishing business. He now is able to buy good quality fish seeds, fishing nets and other required equipments needed for his fishing business. Other local beneficiaries of Hathitila are engaged in horticulture and piggery.

Fishing industry is developing at a faster pace providing sound employment and better standard of living in Hathitila and other adjoining areas. Therefore, this world bank project has been successfully implemented for the upliftment of this fishing hub of Cachar. 

Click the following link to watch the video coverage by AU TV reporter 
Piyali Chakraborty: http://youtu.be/NoQSqboyQpQ

BARAK's SAMOSA KING

Samosas of Singara House

The shop of Singara House

Whenever you pass through the Silcoorie Camp Road on the way to the educational hub , Assam University, the aroma of popular Indian snack "Samosas" is sure to follow the taste buds of Samosa lovers. Hot and crunchy samosas dipped in chutney is eaten and enjoyed by both young and old alike. 

"Singara House", the famous Samosa shop of Cachar, situated in Silcoorie Camp was started by Umashankar Bari who came from Bihar around 25 years ago and settled in Silcoorie. Earlier "Singara House" was just a mere shop made up of bamboo. Ramjanam Bari, the present owner of "Singara House" stated that the samosas are popular among the people of Silchar, Hailakandi, Karimganj and other places. Students of NIT,Silchar and Assam University always sighted around the shop to taste the samosas. 

The ingredients of the lip- smacking samosas consists of garam masala, potatoes, chillies and peas. A special home-made spice is also used to enhance the taste of samosas prepared in "Singara House". The samosas of "Singara House" is quiet different from the samosas prepared in other shops of Cachar. So, whenever you pass through Silcoorie, don't miss to drop by the "Singara House" to taste the famouse samosas of Cachar.