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The erstwhile British
planters left behind a
rich colonial legacy in the
form of various clubs.These
clubs are basically patronized by tea planters and
their families. The purpose behind these clubs was
social interaction, recreation and sports.
The East Boroi Club situated in Sonitpur district of
Assam is one of them. It is surrounded by lustrous
greenery of the Halem tea estate and the mighty hills
of Boroi, and is approximately 120 km from Tezpur.
The club was built sometime in 1935, as a tennis club
with five tennis courts. The golf course now, was
merely green pastures for the grazing cattle. Earlier,
the club was situated at the Behali Golf Course
(presently the property of Catholic Hospital,
Kettela).The members of Boroi District had to ride
on horses and cross rivers to get to it.The bridge over
the Boroi River was built years later. In the early
seventies, the infrastructure of the club was renovated
and gradually it got its new look. The liquor license
of the club was issued in 1965-66.The contribution
of Mr Saibal Ghose, Honorary Secretary of the club
from 1985, is worth
mentioning. The
new building, the
squash court and
the kitchen were
constructed during
his tenure.
The membership of this club
comprises the residents of the
East Boroi District, which
means those residing in the
area bound on the west by the
Borgang river, on the east by
the North Lakhimpur District
boundary and on the south by
the Brahmaputra river. The
present members of this club
are from Nya Gogra, Dufflaghur, Nirmala, Halem,
Boroi, Behali, Borgang and Kettela estates.The
family of EBC flourished with the inclusion of
Hurmutty Tea Estate recently in 2013.
EBC has three tennis
courts, a 5-a-side football
field, a squash court, an
air - conditioned bar and a
hall where most of the
activities are held. There
are also table tennis
facilities, a billiards table,
and a well stocked library,
all of which are utilized by the members regularly.The
golf course of EBC is one of the most beautiful in
Assam.
The activities of the club are controlled by the
Committee of members who are elected at the
Annual General Meeting.The meetings are presided
over by the Honorary Secretary of the club.
EAST BOROI CLUB
~ Rimjhim Sarma
Halem T.E.
JANUARY 2015 61 60 JANUARY 2015
“ Guard well your spare moments. They
are like uncut diamonds. Discard them
and their value will never be known.
Improve them and they
will become the brightest
gems in a useful life.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Chairman gives an account of the various activities
during the year under review. An Extraordinary Meeting
can be called by the Committee of members at their
discretion. A minute book is maintained where all the
proceedings of the meetings are recorded. All the accounts
of the club are looked after by the Honorary Treasurer.
Mrs A. Maini proposed for a flower show for EBC at the
55th AGM in 1989.Itwas felt that such an event would be
an encouragement for the Assistant Managers and Medical
Officers in the district. The compound judging was also
included to encourage the upkeep of the bungalow
compounds. Thereafter, Mrs A. Maini was requested to
convene the first flower show of EBC. Subsequently it was
held on 21 February 1990. Earlier, the ladies had to
participate in the Bishnauth Flower Show. There is always
a healthy competition and all the ladies participate in this
show with great zeal and enthusiasm. Various festivals are
also celebrated in the club premises like Bihu Nite and
Diwali where some members of Bishnauth Club are also
invited to enjoy the evening. ‘Uruka’, celebrated on the night
before Magh Bihu, needs a special mention as a local band
enthralls the audience in the chilly winter, and the night
ends with a bonfire and delicious Assamese cuisine. The
other fixtures include Rain Dance and Men’s Nite.The New
Year’s Eve party is a grand affair, with a DJ rocking the club
with foot tapping numbers.The members of other planters’
clubs also join EBC at this musical bash. The managers of
each garden are requested to contribute towards the
celebrations.These events are followed by a sumptuous meal
prepared by the ladies. The children also look forward to a
series of entertainment all through the year.
The club also arranges cinema shows for the members
once a month and videos on some Wednesday evenings as
well. The Honorary Entertainment Member looks after
the screening of movies and the music as well as of the
maintenance of all related equipment.
The EBC members make a special effort to maintain the
decorum of the club. It is certain that anybody who leaves
this district carries fond memories and forever cherishes
good times spent in this club.