ITANAGAR, June 1 - A leading light in the world of Assamese literature, �Sahitya Surjya� Lummer Dai was remembered on his 77th birth anniversary by the apex literary body Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS), and his second home away from home, Assam Sahitya Sabha � in two separate functions on Wednesday.
At Itanagar, State Governor JP Rajkhowa joining the celebration at Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum complex, Itanagar paid floral tribute to late Dai, considered as the �Doyen of Journalism in Arunachal Pradesh�.
Coinciding with the late writer�s birth anniversary celebration, the maiden �Luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award�, instituted by APLS, was conferred on Kaling Borang, a multi-lingual writer-poet. The award, which was to be presented by the Governor, was presented by late Dai�s wife Nanni Dai on a request by the Governor himself. The award carries a citation, a memento and cash reward of Rs 10,000.
Paying his rich tributes to Lummer Dai, the Governor said that Late Dai was a scholar, a writer and an administrator. He was also a great humanist, he said. �He built a bridge between Arunachalee and Assamese societies through his brilliant literary works,� Rajkhowa said in his address.
Contributing a cash of Rs 50,000 towards the Society, he advised APLS to draw students and youth towards literary activities.
Renowned author and publisher from Assam, Nabin Baruah said that people of Assam consider late Dai more as Assamese than Arunachalee for his exceptional works in Assamese language.
Dai�s birth anniversary was also observed by Assam Sahitya Sabha in collaboration with its Lakhimpur District and Kherajkhat Branch Sahitya Sabha at Kherajkhat in neighbouring Assam�s Lakhimpur, along with the death anniversary of its former president, Dr Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi, a noted poet, lyricist and writer, with a day-long programme.
Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, Prof Tamo Mibang while attending the function at Kherajkhat, paid his glowing tributes to late Dai and said that he has left behind a footprint in the world of literature.
