The “Patni” community mainly resides in the Barak Valley of Assam State. The name of the community might have been derived from the word পট্টন means Port or পত্তন means city. Boating has been the prime occupation of the Patni community since ancient times. But with the change of time, boating occupation has been changed to cultivation; then to some people carpentry. With the advent of the modern Indian era, this community embraced professionalism in Teaching, some as Advocates and others too. By the initiatives of learned and responsible people of the community, this community could reach to some considerable extent by imparting education. But, the larger section of people are still reeling under poverty and unemployment is a major setback to bringing forward the next generation at the optimal upgradable level.
The Patni Community has been settled in the Barak Valley since the immemorial period. But, this community name was officially mentioned in the first Census of this country in 1901 and was briefed as a dominant community in the Barak Valley with its long connection since the immemorial period. In the White Paper Report of the British India Government, the Patni Community was brought under the Backward Class (BC) list, which is called Scheduled Caste(SC) under Constitutional provision.
The organisational background of Barak Valley Patni Parishad is given hereunder in a brief manner. In the undivided Cachar District in the middle of the 20th century, before India’s Independence in the 5th decade, some social luminaries of this community organized a community conclave and established an organization named “Cachar Sanjivani Samiti”. In the 8th decade, the organization was renamed to “Samaj Sanjivani Samiti”. And then in the late 9th decade, the name of the organization was given “Samaj Unnoyon Samiti”.
At all the times before the name “Barak Valley Patni Parishad” came into existence, community names were not tagged with the organisation. When one and all intended to form this community-based organisation with the name after the community, in the new action initiative, on 28, 29 and 30 January 1994, a mass general conclave was held at Sampad Ram Scheduled Caste High School. On 29th January, i.e. last day of the conclave, the name of the organisation “Barak Valley Patni Parishad” was proposed by Advocate Kamendra Kumar Das and supported by Shri Nalini Mohon Das, Tarapur, Shibbari. Shri Subal Chandra DasEx-MLA and Shri Sushil Kumar Biswas, Social Activist were declared as President and General Secretary of the first Central Committee. The first Executive Committee was constituted comprising 37 Members out of which 7 Members Constitution Drafting Committee was declared.
Following was the constituted Constitution Drafting Committee
- Shri Subal Chandra Das, Ex-MLA President
- Shri Nalini Mohan Das, Member
- Shri Sushil Kumar Biswas, Member
- Shri Digendra Chandra Das, Member
- Shri Harkumar Das, Member
- Shri Kumud Ranjan Das, Member
- Nihar Ranjan Das, Member
Later Draft Constitution was adopted, and from time to time the adopted Constitution is also being ammended for the greater cause of the Parishad.
In the process of executing works in the sphere of socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects, an education fund was created to help imparting education to students. At many occasions social service works have also been taken in hand from time to time.
As per Constitution of the Parishad, the Central Committee has three years term to be formed by election or selection by unanimity. Accordingly, by it’s ethical norms, in every triennial conference new Central Committee also being constituted. By the rule of Constitution the Parishad has Anchalik Committees at GP level. The present Central Committee is the 9th Committee constituted by unanimously voice support in its 9th triennial conference held on 30th January 2022 at Krishna Ram ME School, Bokrihawar, Hailakandi.
While 1st Conference was held at Sonai, the 2nd at Niz Dhanipur-Kochudarm 3rd at Lala, 4th at Balipipla, 5th at Govindapur, 6th at Salchapra, 7th at Budhurail, 8th at Silchar and 9th at Bokhrihawar, Hailakandi. The present 9th Committee Members of “Barak Valley Patni Parishad” are blessed to have some of the founder Members of the Parishad in the present Central Committee.
The present Central Committee of the “Barak Valley Patni Parishad” seeks blessings from learned and elderly people of Patni Community in and out to take responsibility for rendering dedicated service to the community people for tomorrow’s betterment.
।।পাটনী ঐক্য জিন্দাবাদ।।