GUWAHATI, May 4 - Ambikagiri Raichoudhury was very much critical of those Assamese people who demonstrated a lack of commitment towards their own nationality. He was always eager to see the Assamese people on a high pedestal. He was uncompromising in his approach. He used the journal Chetana as the medium to express his ideas concerning the Assamese people and their society. This observation was made by noted litterateur and veteran journalist Homen Bargohain.
He was addressing a function held to celebrate the centenary of the Chetana at Pragjyotish College here yesterday as the chief guest. He also released the seventh volume of the collection of the Chetana.
Bargohain said Raichoudhury had made the best of the writers of his era to contribute to Chetana. He said the journal had influenced him in an indescribable manner in his teens. Raichoudhury used Chetana as the focal forum to give vent to his ideas in line with what Lakshminath Bezbaroa did with Banhi.
He also recalled his association with Raichoudhury and praised the Pragjyotish College authorities for the effort they have made to publish the seventh volume of the compilation of the published issues of the Chetana within a short period.
The seventh volume of the Chetana issues has been edited by Dr Paramananda Mazumdar and he has been assisted in editing it by Dr Karabi Kherkatari Boro.
Asam Sahitya Sabha president and former principal-in-charge of the college Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi spoke on the initiative undertaken to publish the compiled volumes of Chetana.
Several songs written by Ambikagiri were presented at the function by the artistes of the Assam Lekhika Sangstha. Some of his poems were also recited. The function was attended, among others, by former GU VC Dr Nirmal Kr Choudhury, former teachers of Cotton College Dr Tarakeswar Choudhury and Dr Satyendra Kr Choudhury and members of the Ambikagiri Smarak Nyas
