DIBRUGARH, Jan 18 - A plea has been made to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to develop the Tamulbari Tea Estate into an important tourist destination. The estate is the birthplace of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, whose family owned the prestigious tea garden until a couple of years ago.
MLA of the Lahowal Assembly constituency, Rituparna Baruah on Tuesday informed The Assam Tribune that he has petitioned the Chief Minister to develop the Tamulbari Tea Estate as a heritage site and develop it to attract tourists and culture aficionados. He said a life size statue of Jyotiprasad Agarwala would be erected. He also suggested that the house where Jyotiprasad was born should be appropriately recreated and a proper cultural museum be constructed in the tea estate.
Baruah requested the Chief Minister to consider commencement of work as soon as possible. He has also requested Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley to provide for the finances and make an appropriate plan, respectively, so that the heritage tea garden-cum-cultural complex works begin from this March itself.
Morigaon Correspondent adds: Silpi Divas � the death anniversary of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala was observed here at Morigaon with a daylong colourful programme under the auspices of the Morigaon Zila Sahitya Sabha in collaboration with the Morigaon Zila Kabi Mancha.
The programme began with the flag hoisting at Pobitora haat by Harendra Bora, president, Morigaon Zila Sahitya Sabha. This was followed by paying of floral tributes at the portrait of Agarwala by noted artist Naresh Biswas. In the afternoon, a seminar on the topic � �Rupantarar Silpi Jyotiprasad� was held under the chairmanship of Harendra Bora.
Inaugurating the seminar, Dr Puniram Pator, adviser, Morigaon Zila Kabi Mancha said that Jyotiprasad Agarwala was the best Assamese artist in the contemporary Assamese society of pre-Independence period of Assam whose contribution to Assamese culture and literature is yet to be evaluated. Speaking on the occasion, Bubumoni Goswami, noted human rights activist appealed to the youths of Assam to read the dramas of late Agarwala which are the assets of Assamese literature.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Angshuman Das, Professor, Moirabari College dwelt at length about the contributions of Jyotiprasad in the country�s freedom struggle.
Doomdooma Correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the State, Silpi Divas was observed here. In the morning, Doomdooma Town Committee chairman, Dulu Arandhara and others paid floral tributes at the statue of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala situated at the Railway Gate of Doomdooma town.
In the evening, a programme was held at Doomdooma Sakha Sahitya Sabha (DSSS) Bhawan. The president of DSSS, Arjun Baruah garlanded the portrait of Rupkonwar to start the programme. Addressing the gathering, renowned theatre activist Rajib Lochan Borah threw light on various aspects of Rupkonwar�s life and work. He also recited a poem of Rupkonwar. The meeting was also addressed by senior citizen Niren Baruah, poets Senehi Mahanta and Mausumi Patowari. The programme was anchored by DSSS secretary Nityananda Das. The members of Naba-prayash, an NGO also attended this programme.
In the evening, the Doomdooma unit of AJYCP lit earthen lamps.
Silpi Divas was also observed at Doomdooma Bangiya Vidyalaya where rich tributes were paid to Rupkonwar. The headmaster of the school, Prabin Mazumder initiated the programmes of Silpi Divas by garlanding the portrait of Rupkonwar.
