GUWAHATI, Dec 23 - �Dr Biswanarayan Shastri�s profound scholastic insight and in-depth research on Assam�s ancient history and contemporary social stature vis-a-vis his knowledge of Indology made his contributions a matchless asset for researchers as well as others for understanding the glorious past of Assam in its proper perspective.�
Through these words, the Vice Chancellor of Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University, Nalbari, Professor Dipak Kumar Sharma, while delivering the Dr Biswanarayan Shastri Memorial Lecture, remembered his contributions for their everlasting relevance. The topic of the lecture was, �Indologist Dr Biswanarayan Shastri: Research on Indology and Assam�.
As a tribute to the eminent Sanskrit scholar and Indologist Mahamahopadhyay Dr Biswanarayan Shastri, rich tributes were paid while remembering his contributions at the memorial lecture organised today on the 31st Guwahati Book Fair premises at Chandmari here.
The programme was organised under the aegis of the Publication Board, Assam in association with Dr Biswanarayan Shastri Janma Shatabarshiki Samity.
�Apart from his own works, Dr Shastri also contributed immensely through reconstruction and a new way of presentation of the ancient stories, and Avinashi is an apt example of this. The Hara Gauri Samvada, the Kalika Purana Murti Vinirdesh, the Kamakhya Tantra and the Jogini Tantra, among others, stand testimony to his relentless effort in making Sanskrit more understandable to the posterity,� he added.
Making a special mention of the Hara Gauri Samvad, he said the tantra literature incorporates both agama and nigama segments of tantrism. While Kalika Purana Murti Vinirdesh revisits the architecture of Assam, his research work �Concept of Development of Samabaya� in Nyaya Vaisheshika is another very important contribution of the scholar, he added.
Inaugurating the event, Dr Mukundakam Sarma, retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India shared his personal association with Dr Shastri. He also shed light on the life and works of the scholar. �As the founder secretary of the Publication Board, Assam, he played a stellar role in shaping the organisation during its initial years,� he added.
Earlier, Acharya Bhrigugiri Maharaj of Panchakanyadham of Basistha, who was a close associate of Dr Shastri, lit the ceremonial lamp and Pramod Kalita, secretary of Publication Board, Assam, delivered the welcome address.
Kanak Chandra Sarma, president of the centenary celebration committee presided over the function. Addressing the gathering, Sarma spoke elaborately on several of the works of Dr Shastri. Vice President of the Publication Board, Assam, Sumanta Chaliha also spoke on the occasion.
An extempore speech competition was organised today in keeping with the birth centenary celebration year of Dr Biswanarayan Shastri.
In Group �A� of the competition, Raktim A Barman, Manas Pratim Atreya and Swati Medhi bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively, whereas the consolation prize went to Nishita Deka. In Group �B�, Juhita Kalita, Shruti Medhi and Arunabh Hazarika walked away with the first, second and third prizes respectively.