October 30, 2008, will remain a black day for Assam because on that day more than 90 people were killed in serial blasts, but some good Samaritans are determined to wipe out the misery and fear that had gripped the victims' families.

There are several families whose breadwinners are still missing and some have mourned over their near and dear ones, but a section of the society has come forwrd to help the people rearrange their dreams and hopes.

Leading the list is Amaya Chaliha, the octogenarian widow of former state chief minister Bimala Prasad Chaliha, who with the help of a local t v channel, Focus Television, has been lending her helping hand to the blast victims.

Bhagyalaxmi, a student of class ten, who lost her father in the blast, was presented a cheque for Rs 12000 with the tv channel promising to pay her education expenses till her graduation.

"I am really grateful to the t v channel as well as all the well-wishers who have shared my grief. If not for this help, I could not have completed my education," said the grateful Bhagyalaxmi.

The tale of woe is the same for Kamala Choudhury who lost her husband, Rajesh Choudhury, an auto rickshaw driver, in the blast that rocked the Ganeshguri area on that fateful day.

Having three school-going children, Kamala would have found life difficult if the local ward councillor would not have come to her rescue.

The councillor, Chikimiki Talukdar, volunteered to bear the education expenses of the victim's son till graduation and also provide monetary help to the family.

... contd.