JORHAT, Jan 11 � The newly-constructed headquarters of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, the Chandrakanta Handique Bhavan was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here at 6-10 pm today. The building has been reconstructed on the same base of the former one donated by Danbeer Radhakanta Handique in memory of his late son Chandrakanta Handique.
The newly-constructed building with the same structure of the former has been christened as the Chandrakanta Handique Oitijya Bhavan (heritage building) by the government of Assam. CM also inaugurated an open stage adjacent to the heritage building here in the same function. Inaugurating the building Gogoi said, �Danbeer Radhakanta Handique realized the importance of culture and literature in the formation of the nation. Therefore he donated the building for the Asam Sahitya Sabha in 1926.�
He further made an announcement that the government of Assam would offer Rs 50 lakh for the research centre of the Asam Sahitya Sabha. �A heritage building in memory of Padmanath Gohain Barua, the first president of Asam Sahity Sabha will be constructed in near future,� Said Gogoi.
Paramananda Rajbongshi, secretary, Asam Sahitya Sabha, in his speech, said that the five branch offices of Asam Sahitya Sabha would be connected to the Chandrakanta Handique Bhavan through internet within a month.
Rong Bong Terang, president, Asam Sahitya Sabha and president of the today�s meeting, in his speech, said that the people of Assam felt the blows of hammers in their bosoms which was done to break the walls of the old building. �But now the people have received the building in the same shape and size but equipped with new technologies,� he added.
�Rupees one crore and 15 lakhs have been spent to construct the new building,� said Deva Bora, press adviser to CM. The portraits of 65 presidents of Asam Sahitya Sabha will be displayed on the walls of the building.
It is to be cited that some parts of the old building got damaged and reconstruction became inevitable. So, a delegation of Asam Sahitya Sabha, headed by the then president of Assam Sahitya Sabha, Kanak Sen Deka went to the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on January 1, 2007 and submitted a memorandum demanding funds for reconstruction of the old building. As a result, an estimate of Rs 1 crore 15 lakh 79 thousand was prepared and the planning department of the government of Assam approved it in 2008. On May 18, 2008 Kanaksen Deka inaugurated the construction works.
