School boy who Salutes Tricolor in chest-deep flood water exclude from NRC list

This young boy, along with his 2 schoolmates and his head teacher had proudly saluted the Indian flag in a flood.

Despite showing his patriotism, he was not included in Assam’s NRC list.

The image of two children, standing chest-deep in flood water and saluting the national flag on Independence Day last year in Assam, had warmed the hearts of many. However, the issuance of Assam’s final draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) has cast a gloom on the spirit of Independence Day here.

One of the two children, who were seen saluting outside their primary school in lower Assam’s Dhurbi district, has been excluded from the final draft of NRC.

The photograph that went viral last year has brought limelight on Barkalia Nashkora, a remote village bordering area in Dhubri district along with Assam-Meghalaya border. The students were seen saluting the flag at No 1185 Naskara Lower Primary School.

A year later, Barkalia Nashkora has a different story to tell. One of the two young boys in the photograph, Haydor Ali Khan is among the 40 lakh people who did not make it to the complete draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

READ ALSO:  The Shikdamakha Village in Assam is an Inspiration For Cleanliness

On the 72nd Independence Day, uncertainty looms large in the family of the student after his name was excluded from the NRC. Haydor’s mother said that only his name was missing while his brother and sister’s names were included in the list.

“I am worried as he is not included in the list. I appeal to the government to include my son’s name in the NRC,” said Joygun Khatun.

Haydor’s father Rupnal Khan, was killed in a clash in Kokrajhar in 2011. His mother Joygun works as a cook at a school and earns a meager Rs 1,000 every month.

INCLUSION UNFORTUNATE

For inclusion in the NRC, Haydor’s family members had furnished sufficient documents including legacy data and birth certificates during the submission of their application.

The photograph was clicked and uploaded on social media by Mizanur Rahman, a teacher at the lower primary school.

“It is unfortunate that, Haydor’s name is not on the list. I request the government to include his name in the final NRC,” said Mizanur Rahman.

Rahman said that he took the photograph after being directed by the headmaster of the school Tazen Sikder.

Sikder said that they celebrated Independence Day in the presence of students and locals last year. This year too they celebrated the Independence Day with fervor in their school.