PATACHARKUCHI, June 14 - The first death anniversary of Achyut Lahkar, the doyen of mobile theatre was observed at his birthplace Pathsala in Barpeta district on June 12. The programme was observed under the aegis of the Bajali subdivisional unit of AASU in cooperation with the Aunudoram Barooah Academy.
Himangshu Kakati, president the Bajali subdivision AASU unit declared open the programme by hoisting its flag, while Damodar Roy, secretary of the unit initiated the swahid tarpan programme. Wife of Achyut Lahkar, Kiran Lahkar and his daughter Minakshi Sarma paid floral tributes at the portrait of Achyut Lahkar. Himangshu Kakati and Damodar Roy, president and secretary of the AASU unit respectively demanded the construction work of the much-awaited proposed cultural complex and installation of statue of the deceased.
Dr Ranjit Deka, rector of Anundoram Barooah Academy conducted the symposium held on the life and philosophy of Achyut Lahkar. Damodar Roy anchored the programme. Dr Deka announced to pay scholarships to meritorious students in memories of the great personality and to publish a book covering various side of his life. Sampurnananda Talukdar, a prominent personality of the locality recollected some memories at the time of opening of the mobile theatre by Achyut Lahkar. Among others, Thaneswar Malakar, DC Barpeta, Krishna Roy, producer of Abahan Theatre, Ananata Mohan Sarma, Associate Professor, Bajali College, Prabodh Sarma, president of Pathsala Sahitya Sabha, Dulumani Das, producer of Chiranjib Theatre, dramatist Nitul Kumar Medhi, president of Barpeta district AASU Samudra Patgiri, son-in-law of Lahkar Amlanjyoti Sarma, Kishor Kumar Deka, executive president of Assam Unnati Sabha, local scribe Rana Deka etc., spoke on the life and philosophy of Achyut Lahkar.
Rich tributes were paid by Giridhar Choudhury, president of the Pathsala Bazar committee, ex- chairman of Pathsala Nagar Samiti Dhiraj Deka, members of Pathsala Press Guild, and Press Club, Amulya Kalita and Nandita Barman from Anundoram Barooah Academy etc. Tributes were also paid in various programmes held elsewhere at Pathsala. On the Harimandir premises, the Pathsala Bazar Committee lit a lamp to pay respects to the leader while at the Abahan Theatre complex, lamps were lit. Girish Patgiri, president, GB of Pathsala College also lit a lamp in memory of Lahkar.
Dr Ranjit Deka, Rector, Anundoram Barooah Academy has announced to constitute a special award in memory of Lahkar and which will be conferred every year on the top rank holder of HS examination in the Arts stream. Pabindra Deka, MLA of Patacharkuchi LAC informed that the Government has already sanctioned Rs one crore and 1.5 bighas of land for the construction of the cultural complex.
