Unheard Voices
Brojen Timung, teacher and football referee
“Teachers look after the discipline of students in schools, and a referee ensures discipline in a football game. In this issue, we will talk to Brojen Timung, a teacher and referee at the same time. We will try to learn about his ideas and opinions.”
TDE: When were you born? Tell us about your parents and siblings.
Brojen: I was born on the 20th of March, 1983. My father’s name is Hemari Timung and my mother’s name is Kajir Rongpipi.
TDE: Tell us about your education.
Brojen: I’m a graduate from Diphu Government College.
TDE: Tell us about your children.
Brojen: I married Rebika Millickpi in 2003, the same year I got the job of a teacher. We have two children, a son named Sarklimso Timung and a daughter named Larsi-im Timungpi.
TDE: When did you join the job of a teacher?
Brojen: I joined the job of a teacher in 2003.
TDE: Tell us in brief about the challenges you have faced as a teacher.
Brojen: Undeniably, there are many challenges in the teaching profession. Basically, in a government school like the one I am working in (Howraghat English Medium High School), I have seen that students are mostly from economically weaker sections of society. The more aware and economically sound families do not send their children here. There is still a craze for private schools. Nevertheless, I must say that in comparison to the past, in the last 4-5 years parents, guardians as well as students are more attracted towards the government school.
TDE: According to you, what do the primary schools of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong lack?
Brojen: I must say that there is still lots of hard work to be done in all levels of education sectors, right from lower primary up to college and universities. When we look into the problems of school, it is the topography of our district and poor communication facilities. There is lack of enough teachers as per students ratio. Hopefully, the government will initiate the problems and at the same time, the teachers will also be dedicated with new enthusiasm to build a healthy society as well as the nation. More awareness on education needs to be given among the rural populace.
TDE: Why do you love football?
Brojen: I Love football because it is a kind of game through which we can build our good health. It can boost physical and mental fitness and also inculcates discipline through the spirit of sportsmanship. Not only football, different sports events can help in breaking all the barriers which keeps a person’s mind bonded in some stigma. Last but not the least, I love football because it is the most loved game all over the world.
TDE: Which are the notable tournaments you have taken part in as a referee?
Brojen: As a referee, I have taken part in notable tournaments like ATPA Gold Cup, CEM Cup of Halflong, CEM Gold Cup of Karbi Anglong, Dr. T. Ao of North East-2019 at Kohima, Bodofa U.N. Brahma Gold Cup, Bodoland Gallants Gold Cup Football Tournament -2022 and different age categories of inter-districts as well as inter-state tournaments.
TDE: What are the benefits of being a sportsman?
Brojen: There are many benefits of being a sportsman. Firstly, it ensures good health. It encourages the exchange of different colourful cultures of people. Now a days people are choosing sports as a career option because it can be very helpful to earn livelihood too. The governments are also taking initiatives for the development of different sports as well as players. Sports can also help in building healthy character as well as good environment in the society.
TDE: What should be done to improve the condition of sports in Karbi Anglong?
Brojen: To create awareness among people, make needful improvement in infrastructure and government’s involvement without politicalizing things. We the people of Karbi Anglong, I should say are very lucky that we have a leader like KAAC CEM Dr. Tuliram Ronghang, who is taking good initiative to create good environment for sports events by setting an example by himself through his participation in different games. However, there is still a long way to go.
TDE: Do you think the coming of online games is taking away people from physical sports? Why?
Brojen: The coming of online games is definitely taking away people from physical sports, mainly the new generation. This is due to different attractive sports events in the internet which could be enjoyed or played at a very little cost. But, according to me, it is not a good sign for society. My personal point of view is that when there is no physical sports healthy and active society cannot be built.
TDE: Are the parents in Karbi society still reluctant to let their children join sports? What are the reasons for this reluctance?
Brojen: Yes, the parents in our society are still reluctant to let their children join sports, many take sports as a distraction for their children. The main reason for this reluctance is misunderstanding and unawareness. Parents need to be made aware of the benefits of sports and how many people around the world are doing great things. Parents must understand that sports are also a career.
TDE: What should be done to maintain a balance between sports and studies?
Brojen: Sports and studies are related to each other, and both are equally important for a person. To maintain a balance between sports and studies, a person should prepare a routine and maintain discipline and punctuality. Maintaining a good diet is also very important.
TDE: How should people utilise the new sports facilities coming up in the district?
Brojen: Sports enthusiasts must visit the facilities available and make good use of them. Both indoor as well as outdoor stadiums must be utilised in organising different types of competitions and training and practice sessions. If these existing facilities are not put to good use, the authority or the government will not feel motivated to work for improvement.
TDE: Will the discontinuity of HSLC or Matric exam have any ill impact on the educational system? How?
Brojen: I don’t think so. However, it depends on how the people or students will take on their respective careers. If it is positively taken, then definitely everything will be fine. At the very beginning, it may be a bit confusing, parents and guardians, and students as well may feel disappointed. But, hopefully, in due course of time, everything will be ok. Teachers and other persons involved in the field of education have big responsibilities to first understand the ideas and objectives of NEP and then help the students and parents to cope with the new system in force.
TDE: What are your future plans?
Brojen: I want to invest my time in becoming a sports organiser and be part of the national sports arena.
TDE: What will be your message to the younger generation?
Brojen: The referee is an important part of sports events. Especially, in the game of football, we can say – No referee no game. So, not only those persons who are playing different sports events are not only called sports personnel but the referee as well. Being a referee, I would like to request the new generation that if you want to become a successful referee, you have to learn to be patient, be disciplined, and have respect for your work. Nowadays refereeing is also considered as a professional job. To be a referee, one must maintain good health and eat a balanced diet. Once we fall in love with the job, no barriers can prevent us from showing the world that we can shine in the world of sports by being a referee.