- by Rashmi Saikia, Houston, Texas, www.bims.tv

Growing up in Guwahati, Assam, I had never known, that at some point of time, I would be moving to live in Houston, Texas. I moved to the US in 1993. Since then, a chain of events have taken place, such as graduation, finding a job, getting interested in running, and eventually, getting interested in independent projects, such as Aarohan, the Bhabendra Nath Saikia Institute of Media Studies, an occasional contribution to the News Channel DY365 in Assam, among others.

A single entry visa prohibited me from returning to Assam for 15 years. I was able to go back and visit in February of 2008. A few things happened on this trip. I spent some time at Aarohan, a project that has an enrollment of about 600 children, and offers classes in music, dance, drama, art and crafts, computers, and so on - a project started by my father Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia. When I saw the facility for the first time, and as I interacted with the children, I realized that this was something. And I had to do something for Aarohan. I also met Mr. Manoj Goswami, Managing Editor in Chief for the TV channel DY365. The sight of someone implementing a project as huge as a TV channel is an inspiration that remains strong in my mind. To me, that was pretty powerful to see.

We also started planning for the Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia institute of Media Studies (BIMS), a masters degree program in association with the Dibrugarh University, which will train students in Cinema, Television, Radio Broadcast, and Print Journalism. Dhirendra Nath Bezboruah, founder and former Editor of The Sentinel graciously accepted to be our President. Dr. Kulendu Pathak, former Vice Chancellor of the Dibrugarh University meanwhile, along with my mother Preeti Saikia have been managing Aarohan. Preeti Saikia has become the foundation of the dreams Dr. Saikia left behind. Dr. Sangeeta Saikia, his daughter, our hope for our organization. I acquired help and guidance from one Lisa Foronda, former TV anchor at KHOU 11 as plans for BIMS and Aarohan progressed. And day to day support from one Capucine Courault. At this time, Aarohan is successful. We have no doubt in our minds about that. And BIMS is ready to launch in August of 2010. Another project, a TV station Global Broadcasting Channel LLC. is underway for implementation in Houston, Texas. I believe we will successfully launch this  channel.

I think I am working remotely in Assam, right from Houston, through Aarohan and BIMS, and with the help of my mother Preeti Saikia who has made such work possible for me. Thank heavens for the telephone and the internet, that no matter where we are, we can continue to work for projects in Assam from abroad.