User:Asmita Bharadwaj

Bhanuchowk is an arcade hub in Rowta under No. 5 Dhansiri Khuti village which is in the BODOLAND TERRITORIAL REGION(BTR) of the state of Assam in Northeast India. Udalguri is its district with Udalguri town being its administrative headquarter. It is largely dominated by Nepali/Gorkha community.

Nomenclature

• Initially, TARABARI was the name associated with the place, Bhanuchowk being only a small part of it. • Later on, it was called as MOHAN CHOWK/ BHETUWAL CHOWK after Mohan Bhetuwal, one of the old inhabitants and an active social activist of the very place. • It was also known as ACHARYA CHOWK,PATHAK CHOWK, MAHANTA CHOWK. • It was in the year 1993, on the last day of the- 2 day Bhanu-Jayanti function, the place got its name as BHANUCHOWK and was inaugurated by Tarapati Updhayay- reknown writer of Nepali language , Sahitya Akademi Awardee & former Principal of Udalguri Higher Secondary school. • The few senior persons associated with the naming of BHANUCHOWK were JAGANIDHI DAHAL, NARA PRASAD SHARMA(ACHARYA),GOPI BUDATHOKI, REWATI UPADHAYA(GAUTAM), DHANAPATI LUITEL(Sharma),MOHAN BHETUWAL. • The name BHANUCHOWK was taken up in honour of the legendary Nepali poet, translator & writer ADIKAVI BHANUBHAKTA ACHARYA(1884-1868) who is famous for his great epic Ramayana in the Nepali language. Language • Nepali is used as a lingua franca of the place with Bodo, Sadri, Assamese and Hindi being additionally spoken. • The residents of Bhanuchowk are multi-lingual. • Interestingly, the most non-Nepali speakers use Nepali language as a mode of communication.

Geography • Bhanuchowk is located at a distance of 2 km(North) from the Rowta Bagan railway station and 5 km(North) from Rowta Chariali(National Highway 15). • The pincode of the Post Office-Rowta is 784508. • The district headquarter(Udalguri) is situated 20 km away, approximately. • The state capital- Dispur, Guwahati is at a distance of 125 km(by road). • Bharaibkunda- a popular picnic spot situated on the border of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh is 20 km(North) from Bhanuchowk. • Bhanuchowk sits on the bank of the perennial River Dhansiri. • It experiences a moderate climate with warm & humid summer season and cool winter season along with moderate monsoonal climate.

Administration • Village Council Development Committee(VCDC) which is equivalent to Panchayat is involved in planning and holistic development of the village under the control of BTR. • The Rowta Police Station is responsible for law enforcement and public safety, headed by the Officer in Charge. • Bhanuchowk falls under Majbat- Assam Legislative constituency and Mangaldai-Lok Sabha Constituency.

Education Institutions • Dayanand Anglo Vedic School ( English Medium,Class Nursery- Class 5) • No. 5 Dhansiri ME School ( Bodo & Assamese Medium) • No. 5 Dhansiri High School( Bodo & Assamese Medium) • Kukurbhuka LP School ( Bodo & Assamese Medium) Education Contributors The contribution by a decent number of residents from Bhanuchowk is very significant for the development in the education sector proceeding from Primary to University level. • Late Dhanapati Luitel (Sharma)- the 1st teacher from Bhanuchowk. • Late. Rewati Upadhyay (Gautam)- founder of D.A.V School-Bhanuchowk, Politician and the founder headmaster of No. 3 Dhansiri ME School. • Jaganidhi Dahal- retired teacher, litterateur and an active social activist. • Nara Prasad Sharma (Acharya), Prem Luitel, Budindra Gautam - retired teachers and active social activists. • Late Shyam Bahadur Magar, Late Devi Bhakta Acharya & Late Chandra Mohan Puri - reknown teachers. • Dr. Khagen Sarma- Professor of Gauhati University is the only Doctorate from Bhanuchowk. • Indra Sedai- Principal of Ita Khola Higher Secondary School.

• Other than the Education sector, a. PURNA BAHADUR BISTA is a retired employee from the Irrigation department. b. HARI DHUNGANA is a retired employee of Block Office.

Religion • The entire population of Bhanuchowk follows Hinduism. • Festivals like Makar Sankranti ( Maaghe Sagrati), Durga Pooja(Dasain), Diwali (Tihar),Teej, Lakshmi Pooja, Shiv Ratri, Holi, Sansari Pooja,Sostani Pooja, Naag Panchami, Kuse Ausi are collectively celebrated. • Bhanuchowk celebrated its Golden Jubilee Celebration of Durga Pooja in 2018. • There is a Ganesh Mandir (Temple) in Bhanuchowk where weekly Kirtan is performed.

Local Organisation • Yuva Sanskritik Mancha (YSM) is a youth club dedicated to socio-cultural activities. • It also has a Dance team to promote the Nepali/Gorkhali culture. • Under the banner of Acharya Foundation, UMA ACHARYA AWARD CERTIFICATE is conferred to the meritorious student passing with or above 80 % in HSLC & HSSLC with a cash prize and a certificate during the Durga Pooja Celebration, every year.

Community & Cultural Hall • There is a Community Hall in Bhanuchowk which is presently utilised by YSM. The contribution of Khem Prasad Oli in the construction of the Hall is unforgettable. • Bhanuchowk Rangamancha- a cultural stage is also one of the centre for cultural promotion. Dambar Puri has played an indispensable role in its construction.

Transportation • Roadways & Railways are the only modes of transportation. Agriculture • The majority of population is engaged in agricultural activities like Rice, Potato, Betel-nut, Maize and more recently Tea- Plantation, Water melon farming. • In the year 2020, there is a 2400 quintal(approx.)of Watermelon production by the local farmers. • There is a mill for processing of grains, oil & spices.

Events • Dalbir Singh Lohar Cricket Tournament is being organised by All Assam Gorkha Students Union (AAGSU), Rowta Anchalik Committee since few years. • Cultural Programs, Sports event & ECA are organised during the Durga Pooja Celebration. • It may be mentioned that the contribution of Late Jay Prasad Oli & Trilochan Oli to cultural performance & specially DRAMA was vital. • Swachha Bharat Abhiyan is also conducted in the localities.

Surname of the Nepali speaking people • Acharya • Pokuwal • Phuyel • Jati • Rai • Subba • Budhathoki • Giri • Bista • Gautam • Puri • Luitel • Siwakoti • Sedai • Niraula • Bhattrai • Chamlagain • Bhetuwal • Magar • Oli • Khatioda • Dahal • Sutar • Bhandari • Dhakal • Sharma • Upadhyay • Chetri • Adhikari • Dhungana • Baral