Page 1 of 28

To,
The Hon’ble Governor of Assam
Raj-Bhawan, Kharghuli Hills, Guwahati-781001
Dated, the Guwahati 22nd August, 2022

Subject: Prayer for urgent necessary direction/order to the concern authorities for
disbursement of my pending salaries of the months March to July, 2022,
thereof-

Ref: Earlier Applications to i) Hon’ble Registrar, Cotton University and Director ASTE
Council dated 4th May, 2022 and 6th June, 2022 – ii) to Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor,
Cotton University on 16th July, 2022 – iii) to Principal Investigator, CRA on 25th
July, 2022 - to Hon’ble Registrar, Cotton University on 30th July, 2022 - to Hon’ble
Director, ASTEC on 3rd August, 2022.

Your Lordship,

I have the honour to state that inspite of submitting several applications to the
concern authorities - thereby praying for disbursement of my pending salaries
from March to July, 2022 - I have not yet seen any such action taken for
disbursement of my pending salaries, whereas funds have already been drawn
by the concern authorities – which indeed subjected to jeopardised our Lives
and Liberty and has deprived from livelihood – wherein my two small kids, my
wife and my old aged mother have been solely depending upon my salaries.

That the ‘act of omission’ complied by the concern authorities has violated my
primary fundamental rights as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of
India.

It is submitted that the undersigned has been working full time basis in the post of
Project Scientist at the Centre for Radio Astronomy, Department of Physics, Cotton
University, since 2009, as approved and sanctioned by ASTE Council, which is
undisputedly evident from the sanction letters of the ASTE Council – wherein as per
approval and sanction of ASTE Council, I was being initially appointed as a Project
Fellow by the then Dean Cotton College vide appointment letter under Memo No.-
CCG/Ph./24385, dated Guwahati, the April, 7th, 1999. On the strength of the said
appointment letter, I have been continuing my service for about 24 years at the
Centre for Radio Astronomy, Department of Physics, Cotton University formerly
Cotton College, since 9th April, 1999.
 Page 2 of 28

It is further submitted that the ASTE Council has established the Centre in the year
1994 for promoting Research and Development and Training on Observational
Astronomy in Radio Astronomy in co-operation and guidance from TIFR, GMRT
Group and the Institute of Radio Physics, Calcutta University, initially in Project
mode.

The continuation of my service till date may also evident during the functioning
of the present Principal Investigator, Dr. Nripanka Saikia, Associate Professor of
the Department of Physics, Cotton University, who has joined in the year, 2017
and may also evident from the regularly submitted Project Report to the
Director, ASTEC as well as financial transactions.

In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, I have no other alternate

remedy to protest the said illegality and the act of omission of the authorities to
protect my democratic rights - which subjected to cause irreparable injury and
damages to our lives and livelihoods - hence compelled me to approach before
Your Lordship for the interest of justice from the Hon’ble authority of the
Constitution.

Therefore, Your Lordship would be please to pass such order/direction to concern

authority(s) to disburse my salary in urgent for the interest of our lives and
livelihoods.

Sincerely Yours,

(Dr. Manabendra Lahkar)

Project Scientist
Centre for Radio Astronomy
Department of Physics, Cotton University

Enclosures:

1. Memorandum of Understanding between Cotton College and ASTE Council

2. All relevant applications submitted to concern authorities till date.
 Page 3 of 28

Memorandum of Understanding between Cotton College, Guwahati and the State

Science Technology & Environment Council
Page 4 of 28
Page 5 of 28
Page 6 of 28
Page 7 of 28
Page 8 of 28
Page 9 of 28
Page 10 of 28
Page 11 of 28
 Page 12 of 28

To:
Hon’ble Professor Ganesh Wary
Former, Head of the Department of Physics, Cotton University
& Former Dean, Research & Development, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam.
Dated, the Guwahati 16th August, 2022

Subject: Prayer for your recommendation to refer my interest to join as a Principal Investigator
at the Centre for Radio Astronomy, Department of Physics, Cotton University, Guwahati.

Ref: Applications dated 12th August, 2022 of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Nripanka Saikia
to the Director, ASTE Council regarding urgent relive from PI, CRA and nomination of a
new Principal Investigator of the Centre for Radio Astronomy.

Respected Sir,
In view of the matter mentioned under reference and inviting the matter mentioned
under caption, I would like to request your kind recommendation to the concern
authorities, referring my interest to join as a Principal Investigator to continue my on-
going activities of Research and Development and Training on Observational Radio
Astronomy at the Centre under the administration of Cotton University and under the
guidance of Research Co-ordinator and Guide of the Centre for Radio Astronomy,
Department of Physics, Cotton University. Moreover, I would like to request your kind
views on my eligibility to join as a Principal Investigator of the Centre for Radio
Astronomy.

In this regard, I am narrating hereunder my experimental experiences and outcome of

the last 24 years of my dedicated service in the area of Observational Radio Astronomy
to fulfil the eligibility criteria in support to join as a Principal Investigator of the Centre
for your kind consideration and necessary steps.

It is evident that, I have been working full time basis as a Project Scientist at the Centre
for Radio Astronomy as approved and sanctioned by ASTE Council. And on the strength
of the said approval and sanction, I have been continuing my service for about 24 years
at the Centre for Radio Astronomy, since 9th April, 1999 – wherein initially I was being
appointed as a Project Fellow by the Dean, Cotton College, vide order under Memo No.-
CCG/Ph./24385 dated 7th April, 1999. The continuation of my service till date may also
evident during the functioning of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Nripanka Saikia,
Associate Professor of the Department of Physics, Cotton University, who has joined in
the year, 2017.

Moreover, it is evident from the earlier Progress Report submitted by the former
Principal Investigator, CRA to the Director, ASTEC that, after completion of the training
satisfactorily as a Project Fellow, I have started my carrier as a Research Fellow at the
Centre under the guidance of Professor Anil Kumar Goswami, Research Co-ordinator,
CRA and continuing observation and recording of solar microwave emission at S-Band
and has indigenously developed automatic solar tracing system with the help of senior
technician and has also developed the computerised data acquisition system for
continuous monitoring of the Sun and recording of the Solar radio emission using S-
Band radio telescope.
 Page 13 of 28

Besides the aforesaid on-going work, I have participated in the training cum workshop
held in NCRA-TIFR and GMRT campus, Pune from March to May, 2006 and in Radio
Astronomy Centre, Ooty, Tamilnadu from August, 2006 to October, 2009 as per advice
of the former Research Co-ordinator and Principal Investigator of the Centre for Radio
Astronomy.

Again, I have been representing the Centre in several National and International
seminars/workshops/symposiums held in different parts of the Country – thereby
submitted poster/research paper on the experimental work as well as presented oral
presentations on my experimental research work.

It is evident that, after completing the proposed experimental Research and Training in
NCRA-TIFR, Pune and in RAC-TIFR, Ooty, Tamilnadu in the area of Solar radio emission
in relation to the Solar energetic events under the guidance and supervision of the
Professors & Scientists of those Centres, and submitted my Ph.D. thesis in Gauhati
University in the year 2010 – and obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the
year 2012 in the research title of the thesis - “Observation of Solar microwave emission
at S-Band(2.8 GHz/10.7cm) and multi-wavelength studies of Solar energetic events.”

Moreover, in the area of proposed Research and Development and Training work on
Observational Radio Astronomy, I have published few Research papers in the National
as well as International Journals with Professor Anil Kumar Goswami, former Director,
ASTEC & Retired Professor of the Department of Physics, Cotton College & Research Co-
ordinator, CRA and Dr. Sunil Kumar Borthakur, former Professor & Head of the
Department of Physics, Cotton College & Principal Investigator, CRA, together with the
Professors of Calcutta University and also with Professor P. K. Monoharan of RAC-TIFR,
Ooty, Tamilnadu and with Dr. Nripanka Saikia, Associate Professor of the Department
of Physics & Principal Investigator of CRA during my work at the Centre from 1999 to
till date.

Further, several interested Post Graduate and under Graduate students of different
Universities of the State including students of Cotton University has been co-supervised
and guided with Dr. Nripanka Saikia at the Centre for Radio Astronomy to complete
their dissertation project work in the area of Radio Astronomy as a part of their
University academic curriculum.

Again, several PG and UG students have been trained up with Dr. Nripanka Saikia for
Poster Presentation to participate in the workshop/seminars/symposium held in
different institutes of the country, including IIT Guwahati.

It may also evident that the lectures and outreach programs in school level have been
organised under the guidance of Dr. Nripanka Saikia for stimulating the young students
in the area of Observational Radio Astronomy and related aspects of Science &
Technology to develop the scientific attitude and also to motivate to choose the area of
Radio Astronomy and related technology as a carrier opportunity to improve the
standard of living.
 Page 14 of 28

Again, to continue the observation of Radio emission from sun, the Radio Telescope
System has been renovated/up-graded in the year 2021, by replacing with a new
parabolic reflector and has been continuing up-gradation of receiver system with
modern advanced equipment to fascinate the interested Students, Scientist and
Scholars with the benefits of up-gradation.

Besides the aforesaid activities of the Research and Development and Training program
of the Centre, I have given service to Cotton College now Cotton University in pursuing
various activities such as Refresher Course, etc., held in the Department of Physics and
has also offered my dedicated service as a part time faculty of the laboratory classes
for UG and Higher Secondary students of the Department of Physics, Cotton University,
as when called for by the Head of the Department of Physics, Cotton University.

Therefore, in view of the present facts and circumstances and considering my long
continued dedicated service to the Centre then as Project Fellow, thereafter as Research
Fellow and now as Project Scientist and considering the publications of the research
activities and experimental experiences in the area of Observational Radio Astronomy
as well as in view of the on-going renovation/up-gradation of the System, I would like
to request your recommendation, so as to obtain an opportunity to continue my
Research and Development and Training program at the Centre as a Principal
Investigator against Dr. Nripanka Saikia, who has applied for urgent relieve due to his
health condition and thereby kindly refer my interest to join as a Principal Investigator
for smooth running of the on-going activities of the Centre for the benefits of the
students and scholars, especially for the students of North-Eastern region, since this is
the only Centre in the region.

With kind regards,

Relevant documents in support of my eligibility are enclosed herewith.

Sincerely yours,

Date: 16-08-2022 (Dr. Manabendra Lahkar)

Project Scientist
Centre for Radio Astronomy
Department of Physics, Cotton University
 Page 15 of 28

Supporting Documents

Interview calling letter

 Page 16 of 28
Appointment Letter Page 1
 Page 17 of 28
Appointment Letter Page 2
 Page 18 of 28

My Joining Letter
 Page 19 of 28

Participation in 15th NSSS, 2008, also participated in 16th

NSSS, 2010 in Rajkot University, Gujrat, and also
participated International Evershed Meeting on Sun-Earth
Connection, IIAP, Bangalore, etc.
(Participation Certificate misplaced)
 Page 20 of 28

Certificate of the award of Ph.D. from GU

Some of the latest publications
Page 21 of 28
List of Dissertation Students under CRA
Page 22 of 28
List of OUTREACH program of CRA
Page 23 of 28
 Page 24 of 28

CRA Student presenting viva for Dissertation Project

CRA Student preparing for Dissertation Project

Lectures in OUTREACH program

 Page 25 of 28
OUTREACH program in MES, Kahilipara, Guwahati & in Conference Hall, Department of Physics, CU

CRA Students in Poster Presentation in the Department of Physics, CU

Fabrication of new S-Band parabolic reflector

 Page 26 of 28
CRA annual meeting, 2019 held in the Department of Physics, CU

Inauguration of Radio Telescope Control room by the Hon’ble Registrar, CU

CRA Radio Telescope visited by the Hon’ble Head, S&T, ASTEC

Page 27 of 28
Page 28 of 28