MANGALDAI, April 27 - In a commendable job of formally recognising the silent but selfless contribution of an octogenarian social activist in the field of conservation of nature for almost five decades and thus preserving his rare work culture for future generations, Hazarikapara Sahitya Sabha in Darrang district as a part of its concluding function related to Saat Bihu released a book on the life and works of Sarat Chandra Sarma titled Jeevan Briksha.
Dr Ram Chandra Deka, the president of Darrang Zila Sahitya Sabha and an Associate Professor of Sipajhar College formally released the book consisting of more than 120 pages with articles by different writers of repute, achievements, news reports, photographs etc., and edited by Kalyan Kumar Goswami, secretary of the literary body of Hazarikapara village.
In this connection a book release function was held at the residence of Sarat Chandra Sarma at Simbhapara in Hazarikapara on Sunday afternoon with Rashmi Kanta Bonia, the president of Hazarikapara Sahitya Sabha in the chair.
In his speech, Dr Deka explained why a full grown tree is compared to the most learned person of a locality whose wisdom and quality proves to be helpful for that society during any time of trouble and underlined how the gurus in ancient times used to bless their sishyas to become maheeruha, which means a big tree.
Dr Deka lauded Sarat Chandra Sarma, who was conferred the title �Briksha Mitra� by Hazarikapara Sahitya Sabha in recognition of his silent green crusade for almost five decades sans any support from the government.
He added that global warming due to largescale deforestation has threatened very existence of the world, following which every country has set up a separate ministry for nature conservation and was spending crores of rupees. But the way Sarat Chandra Sarma has been helping the country year after year without expecting anything in return from the government is simply unbelievable,� Dr Deka remarked.
Speaking on the occasion, retired teacher and �Briksha Mitra� Sarat Chandra Sarma while recalling several of his experiences described how he always carries a few saplings with him whenever he travels. He shared the feeling of divine satisfaction by conservation of nature as well as the deep pain he suffers when he sees a tree or a plant being cut or damaged.
�A man can do harm to us, but a tree never harms us. A tree is our best friend in all circumstances, be it supplying oxygen, providing food, shelter and fuel to all of us. I plant saplings not for publicity or to create any record. I plant them only for creation of a green future,� Sarma said.
Several prominent writers and academicians, including Motideb Sarma Shastri, Chandradhar Sarma Shastri, Bhuban Chandra Sarma, Tarun Chandra Sarma and Dr Sachindra Saharia also spoke on the occasion. The function which began with a rendition of Siro Senehi Mur Bhasa Janani... by the women members of Akash, a sister concern of the aforementioned literary body, also featured recitation of self-composed poem by young poet Pankita Kalita and reading out of a self-composed short story by Kamala Saharia, among others.
In the beginning, secretary Kalyan Kumar Goswami outlined the purpose and significance of the function.
