(Photo Courtesy: NFR)
Maligaon, October 28 (MExN): Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava on Tuesday inaugurated a Traditional Sports Centre at the heritage site of Old Amingaon Railway Station in Assam, transforming the historic railway platform into a facility dedicated to promoting indigenous games of the Northeast.
Developed through the NF Railway Sports Association (NFRSA), the centre seeks to preserve traditional sporting practices while reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of combining Vikas (development) with Virasat (heritage), according to an official statement.
The centre will promote traditional sports from Assam and other northeastern states, including Dhopkhel, Tang-Guti, Peng Khel, Kori-Khel, Roshi-Tana, Mukna and Yubi Lakpi of Manipur, as well as Insuknawm of Mizoram.
Rooted in the region's diverse communities, these games celebrate physical agility, community bonding and survival skills. However, they face declining participation amid modernisation, digitalisation and the growing dominance of mainstream commercial sports.
The NFRSA plans to organise traditional sporting activities at the centre and coordinate with organisations working to preserve indigenous games. The facility is also intended to provide a dedicated space for reviving these sports and facilitating state- and national-level competitions and events.
Speaking on the occasion, Shrivastava appreciated the NFRSA's initiative to preserve the historic railway station through its active use by children and sportspersons.
He expressed confidence that the centre would help safeguard the heritage site for future generations, revive traditional games and nurture players capable of competing at the national level.
Established in 1908, Old Amingaon Railway Station served as a principal gateway to Guwahati and the Northeast during pre-Independence India.
Its single platform, approximately half a kilometre long and 25 metres wide, functioned as a major economic and trans-shipment hub on the erstwhile Assam-Bengal Railway. The historic Assam Mail brought tea planters, missionaries, traders, freedom fighters and other travellers to the region, who crossed the Brahmaputra by ferry.
The station is also associated with India's freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi travelled through it during his visits to Assam in 1921, 1926, 1934 and 1946.
During his 1921 visit in connection with the Non-Cooperation Movement, Gandhi was accompanied by Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan, whose translations of the Mahatma's speeches inspired thousands of people.
British and American military personnel also passed through the station during the Second World War.
The Eastern Bengal Railway's Amingaon-Pandu train ferry connected the northern and southern banks of the Brahmaputra, transporting entire trains and goods on specialised barges. The ferry system handled up to 250 wagons daily in each direction and linked railway networks extending through the Kaunia-Dharla route towards Lalmonirhat in erstwhile East Bengal.
The station received its last train on June 7, 1963. Rail traffic subsequently commenced over the Saraighat Bridge on June 8, 1963, bringing the ferry-linked railway era to an end.
By establishing a traditional sports centre at the historic site, NFR aims to preserve the Northeast's railway heritage while promoting indigenous sporting traditions and providing opportunities for their revival among younger generations.
