Upendra Nath Brahma was born on 31st March, 1956 in the village of Boragari of Dotoma under Kokrajhar district. His father’s name was Mongalram Brahma and mother’s name was Lefshri Brahma. He had two brothers and two sisters among whom Upen was the youngest. His parents were very poor and so all their children were brought up through hardships.
In 1963, Upen was admitted in Makarapara L.P School. In 1971, he completed his Middle English school education. In 1973, he lost his father and his education faced a great challenge in the absence of main supporter. In spite of these hardships, he continued his education and passed his matric examination in 1975 in first division with letter marks in mathematics and advance mathematics from Shakti Ashram High School of Fakiaragram, Kokrajhar. When he was studying for matriculation examination, he could not buy his books due to his acute financial problems. But he did not lose heart and studied for the examination borrowing books from his friends. In 1977 he passed his P.U. Sc examination in first division with letter marks in Physics. In 1981 he passed his B.Sc. examination with honours in Physics and took his M.Sc. from Gauhati University in 1985. Besides, he passed
B.A. examination from Kokrajhar College in 1986. U.N. Brahma, from his student life made his own expenses. He worked in various leave of vacancies in different schools and showed tuitions. After completing his education, he joined as Income
Tax Inspector in 1986. But due to his active participation in ABSU’s activities, he could not become regular in his service and consequently resigned his govt. service in 1987. From his student life, Bodofa was very sensitive to the issues of the Bodos. He could not tolerate the rampant exploitation of Bodo masses by non-Bodos particularly the Assamese. On the contrary, his heart ached and cried seeing the differences among the Bodos. Days and nights, he thought about the formulae that could bring reconciliation among the Bodos and bring them under a same umbrella.
During 1978-79, he was President of Goalpara District Bodo students’ Union and became Vice-President of All Bodo Students’ Union in 1983-84.
In 1986 (31st May), he was elected as the President of ABSU in Routa Conference. Soon he drew 92 points Charter of demands and ABSU under his pragmatic leadership became spokesman of the Bodos. Before he became President, ABSU always performed secondary role and actively looked after the execution of the various action mooted by BSS, PTCA, UTNLF etc. But, as soon as U.N. Brahma became President, there came across a paradigm shift in the outlook of ABSU and virtually suspended all previous styles of action. ABSU, under him then onward, stood at forefront.
Upendra Nath Brahma conceptualised the demand of a separate state. Though he was also a supporter of erstwhile Udayachal and Mishing-Bodoland raised by PTCA and UTNLF respectively, later he discarded these ideas. He was more specific in his demand and determined to create a separate Homeland for the Bodo language speaking people only.
After becoming President of ABSU, he used to exploit the situation that was created by the explosive situation because of the AGP rule which adopted a number of anti-tribal agenda as alleged by the Bodo and the other tribals.
Upendra Nath Brahma, after making huge preparation formally launched the famous Bodoland Movement on 2nd of March, 1987. Thus, under his pragmatic leadership, the Bodos led a vigorous movement for creation of a separate state that would preserve and protect Bodos as a separate identity in the human history.
Upendra Nath Brahma was also a great literary genius. During his study in the University, he edited BIDANSHREE, a souvenir published by the Gauhati University Bodo Students’ Union in 1987-88.
In 1980, he edited ORKHI, a 2 weekly news magazine published from Kokrajhar. Through his writings in the ORKHI, U.N. Brahma tried to remind the Bodos of their glorious past. He focused the major issues of the Bodos pertaining to the economy, society, polity, history and culture. Besides, just after becoming the president of ABSU, he edited a weekly newspaper form Kokrajhar in 1987.
Through the writings in this paper he focused the hopes and aspiration of the Bodos. The most famous of his work is the compilation of “WHY SEPARATE STATE?”. The book is basically a memorandum submitted to the President of India on 10th of November 1987. It reflects the condition of the Bodos as well as their hopes and aspirations.
He believed in the maxim of the ‘Live and Let Live’. He, in order to inspire the Bodo people said “The land in which we live is our land and this land we have inherited from our ancestors. The name of this land is Bodoland”
He also said “The Bodo language is certainly a scientifically acceptable language. Our language and culture are the means of our identity. We must struggle for the survival of our language’
When the movement was in full swing, he was diagnosed suffering from the cancer. On 31st of May 1990, Upendra Nath Brahma passed away in Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
He was conferred the title of “Father of Bodos” (Bodofa) posthumously.