MANGALDAI, Dec 30 - On the eve of the New Year, ushering in a new ray of hope for the scientific preservation of records of the historic Assam Movement for the upcoming generation, an Assamese book comprising around 1,000 pages and titled Asom Andolanar Asompurna Itihas (The incomplete history of the Assam Movement) authored by Guwahati-based eminent writer, progressive thinker and critic Anjan Sharma, who has nearly 60 books to his credit, was released here on Saturday.
A public function in this connection was organised by Mangaldai Media Circle at the Youth Club auditorium where distinguished guests Satyendra Prasad Sharma, former Additional Advocate General of Assam Bedabrata Mishra, senior journalist and former youth leaders Dilip Patgiri, Lachit Bordoloi and Tilak Prasad Baruah respectively formally released the book in the presence of author Anjan Sharma.
Addressing the august gathering of around 100 book-lovers, including leading citizens, women activists, youth leaders and members of different public organisations, author Sharma explained why he chose Mangaldai for release of the book, as the place was the starting point of the historic Assam Movement some 40 years back.
Going back in time, he recalled how Mangaldai was the historic place where the Assam Movement had first started following mass protest over inclusion of names of over 50,000 illegal foreigners into the voters� list before the by-election following the death of then Mangaldai MP Hiralal Patowary in 1979.
He also recalled several other vital issues related to the Assam Movement with Mangaldai. Adding, he said: �Though 40 years have elapsed since the movement took place, but a sizeable section of present-day youth of the State are still in the dark about this historical phenomenon.
Hence, publication of this book is a modest bid to offer a little insight to these youth about this historic movement so that they can carry forward its ideology in the proper direction.He hoped that the book will help the young writers to compile a complete history of the six-year- long movement.
�I have tried to encapsulate most of the important incidents associated with the Movement, though I am well aware that a lot has been left out. My book is simply like a Nritya Natika of a drama and the full episode of the drama will be composed by our young writers. Keeping this in mind, the book has been published in the Unicode format.�
Speaking on the occasion, Satyendra Nath Sharma underlined the significance of publication and study of such a historical book which may help to unearth many ignored and untold chapters of the historical developments which had great relevance for Assamese language, culture and heritage.
He lamented the detrimental consequences of the Movement like electing some incompetent �rowdy� leaders to power and at the same time stressed on the need of following the examples of our two neighbouring States, namely Manipur and Meghalaya, where in case of an issue involving the State�s overall interest, all public leaders cutting across political affiliation and ideology, always remain united. Bedabrata Mishra, Dilip Patgiri, Lachit Bordoloi and Tilak Prasad Baruah also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the perseverance, patience and hard work of author Sharma, a student from the engineering background, who toiled ceaselessly to publish this book of historical significance.
The function was anchored by Bhargab Kumar Das, a senior journalist and adviser of the organising scribes� body. It was also addressed by a number of former dedicated workers of the Assam Agitation, including Rameswar Sharma, Rani Devi, Dineswar Saharaia and Nilima Devi, who had to endure torture inflicted by the rulers in many ways for their involvement in the six-year-long Movement.
Meanwhile, office-bearers of Mangaldai Media Circle requested Anjan Sharma to prepare an Assamese book on the complete episode of the historical peasants� uprising at Pothorughat within the district.