GUWAHATI, April 22 � The ideals and principles espoused by Hem Barua have their relevance in the present day also and there is a need to propagate those among the younger generation of the State.
This view emerged during the concluding function of the Hem Barua birth centenary celebrations organised by the Hem Barua Birth Centenary Celebration Committee at the Guwahati Refinery Workers� Union campus here.
Speaking on the occasion, noted scholar Dr Hiren Gohain said Hem Barua�s �socialism� was not inspired by any foreign influence but was the result of the post-Independence socio-political scenario and experience of the country.
Dr Gohain said that despite being elected a Member of Parliament more than once, Barua never sought material needs and proved his selfless spirit.
He said that Barua�s socialist ideals were not detached from the regional aspirations of the people of Assam.
Highlighting Barua�s contribution in the movement to set up the Guwahati Refinery, Dr Gohain said that the refinery was the result of a common struggle of all Left-inclined forces of that time.
Dr Gohain said that the �ruling dispensation� in India is currently engaged in adopting pro-corporate policies and also in promoting communal hatred. All �progressive forces� must unite to fight such practices, he added. He said that Barua was at the forefront of raising issues affecting Assam.
�The State continues to face deprivation. We need to study his life and work and imbibe his ideas,� said Dr Gohain.
Udayaditya Bharali, former principal of Cotton College, said that there is a need to propagate and discuss ideas and issues raised by Barua during his lifetime.
Barua�s son Anjan Barua said, �I am not involved in politics. But I believe like Deng Xiaoping that it does not matter if the cat is black or white as long as it catches mice. The problems of the people much be solved irrespective of ideology.�
He added, �What Assam needs now is a revolution, not a revolution of guns and explosives, but a revolution in the realm of ideas.�
GMDA chairman Dhiren Barua said that Hem Barua led the agitation for the establishment of the Guwahati Refinery despite facing many political hurdles. �Hem Barua was a fearless socialist,� he said.
He added that a statue of Hem Barua would be unveiled in the GMDA office within this year and also called for setting up of a public hall in the name of the noted leader.
