Howly, Assam · A story of education

A vision that
became a college.

The story of Howly Junior College — built on community spirit, determination, and a belief in the power of education.

Discover its history ↓ Explore the timeline ↗

The beginning · 1996

It started with a conversation
beneath a tree.

At Howly Chariali, beneath a Shilikha tree, a group of energetic local young people shared a simple but ambitious idea: Howly needed an institution of higher learning. Conversations at Bagar’s tea stall became a collective promise. That promise would grow into Howly Junior College.

1996Year the college was established

17 AugOfficial inauguration date

76Students in the first year

A community makes history

Every great institution
has a first chapter.

From an ambitious public meeting to the first classroom, each step was made possible by people who believed Howly deserved an educational future.

June 1996

An idea becomes a public mission

A general meeting was convened at the Chandi Baruah Bhawan in Howly. The gathering resolved to establish Howly Junior College, and a managing committee was formed. Kumar Dipak Das became president, Upendra Das secretary, and Mahananda Pathak assistant secretary. Sanjib Kumar, then Deputy Commissioner of Barpeta district, served as patron. Yadab Chandra Das, Jogesh Chandra Nath, Paramananda Das, Satyanath Das, Hemen Das and other respected local figures supported the initiative as advisers.

The first site

A neglected building finds a new purpose

The committee selected the long-abandoned maternity service centre building in Howly as the college site. The surroundings were overgrown and had fallen into disrepair. Transforming the location into a place of learning became one of the founding committee’s earliest challenges.

1996

Clearing the way for a campus

Land-related work moved forward with help from the Land Advisory Committee, which met that year. Founding president Kumar Dipak Das was a member and helped advance the process. Administrative goodwill and the committee’s persistence helped complete the necessary land formalities in a short period.

Early days

A college funded by its community

The first meeting raised approximately ₹6,200 in contributions. The private bus owners’ association helped by collecting 25 paise from each bus for the college. A portion of cinema admission revenue from Nihar Talkies was routed to the institution through the Howly Town Committee. Local shops and businesses also contributed, although sustaining the college remained a financial challenge.

The turning point

A gift-coupon initiative helps build the future

To strengthen the college’s finances, a gift-coupon draw was introduced at the Howly Raas Mahotsav. The first draw was chaired by the late Amar Das, with the late Bibekananda “Bibek” Talukdar as secretary. Each coupon cost ₹10, and prizes included an LML Vespa, a television, a bicycle and a watch. The initiative became an important source of financial support for the institution.

Growth

Community contributions shape the campus

As funding improved, college rooms were rebuilt. Contributions included ₹20 lakh from Kumar Dipak Das’s MP fund and ₹10 lakh from MLA Gunindra Nath Das’s MLA fund. The Howly Areca Nut Traders’ Association supported a classroom. A main entrance gate was built in memory of the late Ranjit Das, while donations from many well-wishers helped improve the college infrastructure.

17 Aug 1996

The college opens its doors

Howly Junior College was inaugurated by Phani Bhushan Choudhury, then Minister of Labour and Employment in the Assam Government. The classroom building was inaugurated by Yadab Chandra Das, a respected educationist from Howly. The college began with an Arts stream; the Commerce stream was introduced in 2011.

Year one

76 students. A new beginning.

The college welcomed 76 students in its first year. Maheswar Nath of Pathakhaty, Howly, was the first male student to enrol, and Binita Nath from Moiramara village was the first female student. Three students secured first division results in that inaugural year. The first English class was taught by Mahua Biswas of Babupara, Barpeta Road.

The people behind the institution

₹10 / ₹25p

Small contributions.
A lasting collective impact.

A ₹10 gift coupon, a 25-paise contribution from a bus, support from local businesses, and donations from public representatives formed part of a larger story: Howly’s people investing in the education of future generations.

Foundations and milestones

Built by many.
Remembered by generations.

Academic beginnings

The first team

The early teaching team included Upendra Das, Pranab Sharma, Mainul Haque, Pratap Das and Ivarani Das. Paramananda Nath and Khanin Pathak served as office assistants, while Kamal Das and Niranjan Nath worked as Grade IV employees.

Leadership

The first principals

Jagannath Das of Barpeta was the founding principal. He was followed by retired B.H. College faculty member Dilip Ranjan Dutta. Anil Chandra Kalita assumed the principal’s position in 2004.

The early years

A modest beginning

The original college began with the Arts stream. The recorded monthly salary was ₹1,000 for the principal, ₹400 for lecturers, ₹200 for Grade III staff and ₹150 for Grade IV staff — a reminder of the modest resources with which the institution began.

A local legacy

Education as a shared responsibility

Howly Junior College’s early history reflects the combined efforts of educators, community leaders, public representatives, local associations, business owners and residents who helped establish an educational institution for the town.

Howly’s living heritage

Some places are built with bricks.
Others are built with belief.

The story of Howly Junior College is part of the wider history of Howly — a reminder of what a community can accomplish when it works towards a shared future.

Discover more of Howly ↗

A vision thatbecame a college.

It started with a conversationbeneath a tree.

Every great institutionhas a first chapter.