A Trip to Karimganj- My Native Land

Few days back I visited our ancestral house at the Sadarashi village in Karimganj District of Assam. We reached Karimganj after a hectic bus journey which we started from Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Guwahati after reaching there overnight from Jorhat by train. We started our Journey at 6 PM from Guwahati by an ASTC night super bus and reached Karimganj town early next morning. During our jounney we came across Shillong in Meghalaya and we crossed this beautiful hill city during late night. The bus did stopped at Adabasti for dinner before reaching Shillong and then Ladrimbai. The bus was running in the hilly roads and its always exciting to travel in the roadways in this path. 

Beginning of a long journey...

Karimganj- Our Native Land

Map of Karimganj

Satsang Bihar at Karimganj

It is always a great feeling when ever I come to this town because this is the place where my parent's originality belong and by virtue I was also born in Karimganj before being brought to Jorhat at the age of only three months as both my parents shifted to Jorhat because of their job. So its an immotional connection I am having with Karimganj and adding more to this I also married to girl of this town, Barnali my wife. So lots of factors working behind my love for this place.

Karimganj District is located in the Southern tip of Assam - a state in the North-eastern corner of India. Together with two other neighbouring districts - Cachar and Hailakandi - it constitutes the Barak Valley zone in Southern Assam. The geographical location of Karimganj district is between longitudes 92°15' and 92°35' east and latitudes 24°15' and 25°55' North.


Located strategically, the district shares 92 Kms. of International Border with the neighbouring country of Bangladesh. 41 Kms of this is demarcated by the river Kushiara while 51 Kms is land border. On some stretches, there is no natural geographical demarcation for the border which cuts across open agricultural or grazing fields. However, on most parts, the international border with Bangladesh is marked by either the river Kushiara, or the sub-mountain tracts of the Adamail range. In a sense, Karimganj, along with the neighbouring district of Cachar demarcates the frontier between the plains of the Padma-Meghna basin and the hilly North-east India.

Shots of the Kali Puja and Deepawali Celebration in Karimganj

My Mother's ancestral Home at Sib Bari Road, Karimganj

Festivity continues...

The famous "Madanmohan Akhra" of Karimganj

Festivity Continues...

River Longai....

My Mother-in-law at work..

My in-law's house at Sattlement Road..

Sadarashi Village: My Father's Place

"Sadarashi Bhalobasi, Ponditer Desh"--- a popular saying in the locality meaning "I love Sadarashi, the land of intelligent". SADARASHI is the village from where our origin belongs. My father was born in this village, spends a large part of his life dwelling in this village until he shifted to Jorhat (our home town) due to his job. I still remember visiting this village with my parents during festivals quite regularly and I was always amazed by the beauty of this village set-up and freshness available in its air. Here we are still able to learn the origininy of our tradition and custom as well as our rich Sylethi culture. Also can recollects the memory of father and his beloved "Purkayastha Bari".

The Village Sadarashi is the only Revenue Village of its surroundings in karimganj district from British period.The village pay taxes to the British Govt. thats why the village is also known as "Kar-di" in its surroundings (Kar means Tax and Di means paying or giving, thus the village Kardi means Tax-paying village).

There is a incomplete Satsang Bihar aside the big Banyan tree shadow (popularly known as "Botortol") welcomes you to the historic village of Sadarashi.The population of Village Sadarashi is near about 1450 persons according to 2011 Census.There are two temples, one of these temples history is about five hundred years old. Near about five or six years ago the ruins of this historic temple was destroyed due to an earthquake. There three lower primary school,one higher secondary school. In Sadarashi the Renowned Higher Secondary School "Kushiarkul H S School" is situated which gives tremendous results every year and is the proud of this village. Near about 98 percent people are literate. Many of them are working in various part of the country in various field.There is a post office, one daily market name Girishganj,and there is a hospital with near about 30 seat capacity. There is a brisk industry also. That is why all the path of the village is made of brisk. So it is comfortable for journey in motor vichecle.It is near about 2.5 km west of city Karimganj.

My Village Sadarashi....

Our Ancestral House

"Botortol"

Barnali offering Bhai Fota to her cousin

Barnali at Village home

Barnali at work..

Yammyyyy....

I shall come back soon my dear land......

1st edition of "Indian DX Report" on AWR Wavescan

It has been a great and remarkable experience for me to become a part of the DX reporter team of Wavescan, the DX program of Adventist World Radio. I consider this as the greatest achievement for me as a DXer and Radio hobbyist to get this nice platform to show-off my DXing and journalistic character to the world. In this regard I must mention that, ace DXer of South Asia Mr. Victor Goonetilleke has encouraged, guided and supported me so much that I was successfully able to submit my first script and recorded clip of the "Indian DX Report" to Dr. Adrian M Peterson, the man behind this popular DX show Wavescan, well in advance. 


The first edition of "Indian DX Report" appeared on Wavescan on 30th October 2011.

Ace DXer from India Alok Das Gupta informed us about the history of DX reports from India as below:

" When Adrian Peterson was living in India(Poona) he started RADIO MONITORS INTERNATIONAL program over SLBC on every Sundays at 1100-1130 UTC where I've contributed and started SOUTH ASIA DX REPORT on every 4th Sundays of the month. This was during the 80's and 90's. And I think in and around 2000 Jose Jacob started a monthly dx segment over Wavescan and during that time it was recorded in Hongkong."

So Indian DX Report is another edition of DX supplement from India into a international DX show and I am proud to be the editor and presenter of this program. 

The Script

DX groups and forums available over internet and informations given my DXer friends from around the world are my sources of information collection for preparing the script of "Indian DX Report". In this regard I must mention that Alokesh Gupta da, Swopan Chakraborty da and Gautam Sharma da provided and suggested me lots of information while compiling topics for the first report. The magic happned when Victor sir from Sri Lanka sent me two news items on the radio scene in Sri Lanka along with a nice voice clip of SLBC being heard on Medium Wave in Sweden by ace medium wave dxer Jim Solati. This made the report more interesting and colourful as well. Here is the script for the 1st edition of INDIAN DX REPORT which was aired by Adventist World Radio in their program Wavescan. 

_____________________________________________________________________________

INDIAN DX REPORT- October 2011

Namaskar and Hello friends! Welcome to the very first edition of "Indian DX Report" on WAVESCAN! I am Prithwiraj Purkayastha, editor and presenter for this INDIAN DX REPORT. Its a dream coming true today for me just as I am reading my first report on WAVESCAN and I would like to thank Dr. ADRIAN PETERSON for giving me this opportunity to present this report on Wavescan. My special thanks goes to Victor Goonetelleke of Sri Lanka and Swopan Chakraborty, Alokesh Gupta, Gautam Kumar Sharma of India and all my DXer friends around the world who helped and encouraged me to come-up with this new DX Report, without which this may not have become a reality. So friends lets begin the journey.....


I would like to begin this month's report with some news from All India Radio.


THE ALL INDIA RADIO SHIMLA has come-up with a new website recently. Their new website is WWW.AIRSHIMLA.COM. AIR Shimla also verifying reception reports with QSL letters for their transmissions on Short Wave and Medium Wave. AIR Shimla transmissions can be heard on Short Wave between 0035 to 0200 UTC on 4965 kHz, 0215 to 0400 UTC on 6020 kHz, 0700 UTC onwards on 6020 kHz, 1300 to 1730 UTC on 4965 kHz. Reception reports can be sent to <shimla@air.org.in>



All India Radio Port Blair has been reported to be issuing e-qsls for the correct reception report. AIR Port Blair can be heard on Shortwave on 4760 kHz between 2355 UTC to 0300 UTC and between 1030 to 1700 UTC and on 7390 kHz between 0315 to 0400 UTC and 0700 to 0931 UTC. Reception reports can be emailed to <portblair@air.org.in>


AIR Itanagar was recently heard on 4990 kHz at 1715 UTC. This 50 kilowatt AIR station lays in the north earstern part of India boardering China and their transmission is a rare catch always on Shortwave. Their usual shortwave schedule is on 4990 kHz between 0020 to 0400 UTC and 1000 to 1630 UTC and on 6150 kHz between 0700 to 0900 UTC.



Radio Argentia Exterior was received in Abhayapuri, a small town in Assam bordering Bhutan, on 4th October with Interval signal etc. on 11710kHz from 0058utc onwards by Dxer Gautam Kumar Sharma using his Grundig Yatch Boy 400 digital reciver with long copper wire as external antenna.


MY NEXT NEWS ARE FROM SRI LANLA: As the Medium Wave season opens up in Europe I am sure DXers will like to have a go on 1125 kHz for SLBC's new MW station in Puttalam running of 20 kilowatt daily between 1530-1630. This last week the station was picked up by ace medium wave dxer Jim Solati in Sweden.

So do try 1125 kHz Medium wave for SLBC's Tamil service between 1530 and 1630 UTC.

On shortwave SLBC broadcasts to the Middle East in Sinhalese with some announcements in Tamil and English daily on 11750 kHz from 1530 to 1830 UTC.


DW Trincomalee: It is a sad story we have regarding DW Trincomalee which closed on the 27th of October. The first test transmissions from this station started on the 1st of December 1984 when it became the 5th relay station of DW Radio. The future of the station is still not very clear, although the station, according to the agreement signed on 12th August 1980 becomes the property of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. The SLBC hopes to run the station and who knows might even relay some transmissions for Deutsche Welle to China and of many other international broadcasters to Asia on SW and MW.


The new Shortwave transmission season “B11” is just about to start and I hope that you can catch more and more stations from the subcontinent during winter. With all my best wishes I am concluding this first edition of Indian DX Report from the beautiful north east Indian state of Assam. If you want to know more about this beautiful land of Rhinos and Tea Gardens OR wish to send any comments and suggestions on this DX report, then please do write to


THE "INDIAN DX REPORT"
C/o. Prithwiraj Purkayastha
PUB BONGALPUKHURI
JORHAT 785001
ASSAM, INDIA.

or you can drop me an email at:

<indiandxreport@gmail.com>

________________________________________________________________

Listener's Feedbacks

After that first edition of "INDIAN DX REPORT" being aired  by AWR in Wavescan  some inspiring feedbacks received from all over the world the world via Facebook DX forums, email, etc. Here is a compilation of some message.....

Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka : Fantastic and congrats to Prithiviraj.

Moses Vasanthan, India: Congrats Prithwiraj!! Well presented.

Gavin Hellyer, Ararat, Victoria: Wonderful Prithwiraj, really well done.

Muhammad Shamim, India: WELL DONE PR,SUPER REPORT.KEEP IT UP.HAVE A NICE DAY.

Bruce Jensen, USA: Congratulations, Prithwiraj, on this wonderful venture!

Swopan Chakraborty, India: Heard the first edition on 15255 kHz. Liked the presentation. But reading address so slowly taking lots of time. I appreciate your enthu. Keep it up.

Alok Dasgupta, India: Just now heard your first dx report from AWR Wavescan and as a first report it was excellent. It is a great achievement for any dxer to have his voice on a dx program.

Soumya Bhattacharya, India : Supperlike. Wish you all the best dada, let all our radios be tuned to AWR today!

Muhammad Shamim, India: HI PR, I LISTEN YOUR "INDIAN DX-REPORT" FROM 1220-1227(UTC) ON 17510 (KHZ.)VERY GOOD REPORT.THE AUDIO CLIP OF RAE WAS INTERESTING.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WISH YOU 73'S.

Jaisakthivel Thangavel, India: I too listen it. Good compilation. keep it up. Thanks to add the Dxers Guide...

Rajdeep Das, India: Excellent DX report Prithwiraj ...we're proud of you ! Way to go!! All the Best 73 !

Subir Basu, India: Dear Prithwiraj, Tuned to the 1st edition of the Indian Dx Report. Very good presentation. I specially liked the audio clippings. Keep it up.

And mails still coming............ 

The Recorded File of 1st "INDIAN DX REPORT" 

My friend and  veteran DXer of Kolkata Babul Gupta recorded the following voice file on Shortwave of my DX Report on Wavescan on 30th October 2011. 

http://soundcloud.com/bee-gee/indian-dx-report?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=http%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fbee-gee%2Findian-dx-report

RADIO FREE ASIA ISSUES SIXTH 15TH ANNIVERSARY QSL CARD NOVEMBER 2011

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces the release of our 41st QSL card. This is the sixth QSL card commemorating 2011 as RFA’s 15th anniversary. The  recipient of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize, Aung San Suu Kyi, was elected to lead Burma in 1990 but at that time was already under house arrest. From 1989-2010, she spent the better part of 15-years under house arrest  and is  renowned for promoting the Burmese  non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.

RFA’s first broadcast was in Mandarin Chinese on September 29, 1996 at 2100 UTC.  Acting as a substitute for indigenous free media, RFA concentrates its coverage on events occurring in and/or affecting the countries to which we broadcast.  This QSL card will be used to confirm all valid reception reports  for November 2011.  A  similar design will  be issued next month as the last QSL of our anniversary series.  Learn more at www.rfa15.org.

RFA’s 41st QSL card commemorating 15 years of broadcasting. 2
RFA is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated  in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest.  More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at www.rfa.org.

RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports.  Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.  RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at  www.techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX’ers, but also from its general listening audience.   If you have a smart phone, feel free to use the QR code below to access the automated reception report system and submit your reception reports to the web site.

You also have the option of using the following Microsoft Tag from your smartphone. The free mobile app for your smartphone is available at http://gettag.mobi.

Reception reports are also accepted by email at  qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without
Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:

Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America.

Upon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.

(Via. AJ Janitschek, Radio Free Asia)