DHEMAJI, March 31 � Sukapha founded the Ahom kingdom�s capital at Habung on the north bank of the mighty Brahmaputra river in 1240 AD and after spending four years there, he left it because of frequent floods.
The abandoned Ahom capital at Habung in the present Dhemaji district, which remained covered with forests for several years, was identified as the second capital of Sukapha�s kingdom by Nagen Hazarika, the then ADC, Dhemaji, with the help of local historians in 1990. Hazarika installed a Chao Cheng Ren in the Ahom capital on April 6 that very year and since then, it has become a place of historical importance which is now gradually turning into a place of tourism.
The Habung Chao Cheng Ren will complete its 25 years of existence in April this year. It will also mark the passage of 775 years of the arrival of Sukapha at Habung. The people of the Ahom community here are making preparations to celebrate the silver jubilee of the Habung Chao Cheng Ren and the completion of 775 years of Sukapha�s advent to the place from April 4 to April 6 on the Chao Cheng Ren premises with a three-day programme.
A celebration committee has been constituted in this connection with retired principal Phuleswar Boruah as the president, Satyanarayan Handique as the working president and Ratneswar Phukan and Hitlar Dihingia as the joint chief secretaries. Several other sub-committees have also been formed.
According to the schedule, the programme will begin on April 4 with a cleanliness drive. At 8 am, the flag will be hoisted by Phuleswar Boruah, president of the celebration committee. It will be followed by maidam tarpan by headmaster Manik Gogoi. Later, a tree plantation programme will be initiated by Muhi Handique, president, Habung Manaing Committee.
In the evening, after performing Saipha Puja, a cultural function will be organised. It will be inaugurated by retired teacher Dibyalata Gogoi.
On the second day, a quiz along with a drawing competition will be held in the morning. �Te-te-te,� a religious ceremony of the Ahoms, will also be performed. At 12.45 pm, a seminar will be held which will be conducted by Siva Prasad Gogoi, retired principal, Dhakuakhana College. Dr Nityananda Gogoi, ex-principal, Biswanath College, Purandar Konwar, Guwahati, Thagiram Gogoi, principal, Gogamukh College and Chakrawati Borgohain, lecturer, Dhemaji Girls� Junior College, will participate in the seminar. It will be followed by a felicitation ceremony.
A cultural programme will be organised in the evening which will be inaugurated by Ajoy Borgohain, member, Tai Ahom Development Council, Guwahati.
On the third and concluding day, a cultural procession will be taken out at 9.30 am. The souvenir on the occasion will be released at 12.45 pm by litterateur Umesh Chetia.
The open session of the silver jubilee celebration will be held at 1 pm. Amiya Handique, retired professor, Dhakuakhana College will inaugurate it.
The open session will be attended by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as chief guests, while State ministers Sumitra Doley Patir, Bismita Gogoi, former minister Bharat Chandra Narah and several other dignitaries, including Dhemaji DC Ajit Kumar Bordoloi, will attend the session as distinguished guests.
On the other hand, Dr Dayananda Borgohain, president, Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha, and Manuranjan Phukan, president, Sadou Asam Mohan Deodhai Bailung Sanmilan, will participate in the meeting as the appointed speakers. In the evening, the cultural show will be inaugurated by Mainul Islam Mandal, Superintendent of Police, Dhemaji. Ratneswar Phukan, joint secretary of the celebration committee, has requested the presence and cooperation of the people to make the silver jubilee celebration a grand success.
