No Gutkha, No Booze: Assam’s Model Village of Discipline

Down a muddy, unpaved road, far from the media spotlight and away from the chaos that often defines our daily news, lies a small but extraordinary village in Assam’s Chabua region, a place quietly setting an example that the rest of the state desperately needs to hear.

The Village That Chose to Stay Clean

Reporter of Pratidin Time, (Biswajit Phukan), who was the first journalist to step foot into this remarkable village, reports that around 70 families reside in Dhaighat Line. What makes this community truly unique is that in today’s times, for the last five years, not a single cigarette, sachet of gutkha, or drop of alcohol has been sold or consumed here. Yes, you read that right. In a time when addictive substances have flooded even the most remote corners of Assam, destroying lives and pulling countless teenagers into a dark spiral, this small tea garden community has stood its ground, with unwavering discipline and unity.

A Model Village- Not Declared, But Earned

People here don't just abstain from addictive substances; they’ve built a culture of collective responsibility and discipline. No one sells these products, no one consumes them, and what’s more, the entire locality is kept remarkably clean, a reflection of the pride they take in their surroundings.

This isn’t a village made “model” by any government declaration or top-down development scheme. Dhaighat Line has become a model village by the will of its people alone, a rare example of how self-awareness and community effort can create lasting, positive change.

It remained untouched by the media for years, unknown to the outside world. But now, with its story coming to light, Dhai Ghat Line stands as a quiet inspiration, a living testament to what can happen when a community chooses a better path, together.

Shelves Without Sin

There are no flashy signboards in the Dhai Ghat Line, no banners boasting of achievements. Just humble shops where you’ll find the essentials for daily life, groceries, toiletries, and household items, but not a single packet of tobacco or bottle of liquor. It's not because of a law or government order. It’s a decision made and upheld by the residents themselves, a community saying “enough” to the toxic influences tearing through so many villages and tea estates across Assam.

When asked about the sale of gutkha or alcohol, one of the shopkeepers in Dhai Ghat Line smiled and recalled a moment that said everything about the spirit of the village.

“It’s been five years since we took this step,” he said. “Once, there was a wedding in our village. Thinking guests might ask, I stocked a few packets of cigarettes in my shop. But no one bought even a single one.”

He paused for a moment, a hint of quiet surprise still in his voice. “The packets just sat there... untouched, gathering dust in my godown for six months. That’s when it really hit me, no one here smokes anymore. Not a single person.”

Where Peace Replaces Conflict

In that simple anecdote lies the heart of Dhai Ghat Line, a place where change isn’t shouted, but lived. A place where values run so deep that even a wedding celebration couldn’t shake them.

Residents here speak of peace. No major fights, no drunken brawls, no midnight disturbances. “We don’t allow it here. We don’t sell it, and we don’t use it,” a local elder told us with quiet pride. “And we are happier for it.”

The Rainy Season’s Only Wrath

Speaking to Pratidin Time, one of the local residents of Dhai Ghat Line shared that life in the village is largely peaceful. “We don’t have any major problems here,” he said. “But the one thing we really struggle with is the condition of the roads during the rainy season.”

He added that, “When it rains, the roads become muddy and nearly impossible to walk on. Children find it hard to get to school. And if someone falls sick, it's difficult for an ambulance to even reach us. That’s our only real hardship.”

A Village That Chose Values Over Vices

When asked what inspired the village to completely give up gutkha, alcohol, and cigarettes, his answer was both simple and profound.

“It’s for our children,” he said firmly. “They learn by watching us. If they see us drinking or smoking, they'll think it’s normal. But if we show them a different way, one that’s clean and healthy, they’ll follow that path.”

He also added, “We believe it's our responsibility to set the right example. That's why we made this decision together, not just for ourselves, but for the next generation.”

In those few words, he summed up the spirit of Dhaighat Line, a community choosing long-term wellbeing over short-term habits, not through rules or restrictions, but through a shared sense of purpose and love for their children.

The Exception That Inspires

In an age where liquor, cigarettes, and other intoxicants have become top-selling items in nearly every shop, Dhai Ghat Line has chosen a different path, creating a rare, unofficial model village that defies the narrative of addiction and decline.

While Assam continues to grapple with the destructive grip of substance abuse, Dhai Ghat Line stands as a glowing exception, a village where self-respect, discipline, and collective responsibility have triumphed over temptation.

This isn’t just a story. It’s a call for reflection. If a humble tea garden line in Chabua can do it, what’s stopping the rest of us?

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