BARPETA, Sept 13 - Veteran social worker and president of All Assam Damodardev Sangha, Harendra Nath Deka lamented degeneration of social values and erosion of religious beliefs in Assam and asked the people to follow the ideology set by the great Vaishnavite saints.
Addressing a public meeting at Haladhibari Satra in Barpeta district on the occasion of formally releasing Haridev Darpan, souvenir of the 594th birth anniversary celebration of Mahapurush Harideva by Sarukshetri Haridev Prasar Samiti, Deka, who is a retired Headmaster of BR Milan High School, said that though the people of Assam observe the birth and death anniversaries of the Vaishnavite saints, in many cases it is seen that the former have literally metamorphosed into festive occasions associated with fun and merrymaking, rather than cherishing, discussing or imbibing the saints� lofty ideals and teachings.
Deka, known for his candid nature of talking without mincing words, also expressed apprehension over the future of the Assamese nation and language. He formally inaugurated the souvenir of the 594th birth anniversary celebration of Mahapurush Harideva by Sarukshetri Harideva Prasar Samiti which was edited by Bichitra Deka.
The 594th birth anniversary of Mahapurush Harideva was observed by Sarukshetri Harideva Prasar Samiti at Haladhibari Satra in Barpeta district with a two-day programme which began with a sapling plantation drive by Nalini Sarma and Ramananda Goswami at 11 am on September 2.
Ceremonial lighting of lamps was initiated by Dibakar Goswami, Satradhikar of Haladhibari Satra and Troilakyanath Deka, president of the satra management committee. Distinguished and leading personalities of the locality also took part in the programme. Khageswar Deka recited the Gurusarit.
The religious insigne was hoisted at 7 am on September 3 by Kandarpa Kumar Goswami, president of Sarukshetri Haridev Prasar Samiti. Elucidated by Basisthadev Sarma, Burha Satriya of Barpeta Satra, recitation of Bhagawat was performed by Surendranath Barman, former president of Sarukshetri Harideva Prasar Samiti. Naam prasanga and religious rituals continued for the entire day.
There are a number of satras in Barpeta district which were established by Mahapurush Harideva and his disciples. Sarukshetri Harideva Prasar Samiti is an apex body in the eastern part of Barpeta district established for popularising the sermons of the saint and to create a common platform for the disciples to discuss his ideology.
A large number of people from several villages in the eastern part of Barpeta and neighbouring Nalbari district visited Haladhibari along with the Bhagawat procession and participated in the proceedings.
