SHILLONG, March 25 - Freedom fighter, social worker and writer Dhyanada Charan Sharma (93), who is credited for Assam bagging the first prize for its tableau in the 1955 Republic Day celebrations, passed away at Dibrugarh today.
A resident of Shillong, Sharma�s last rites will be performed on Monday at the Shillong Electric Crematorium at 11 am.
Born on April 17, 1925 at Sivasagar, Sharma was a multi-faceted personality. He joined the government service in Assam Secretariat in 1948. Sharma represented Assam during the Republic Day functions with a cultural troupe.
In 1955, under his leadership, the Assam tableau got the first prize among the States of India, for the first time. The theme of the tableau was �preservation of wildlife in Assam�, which was appreciated by the then prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and other dignitaries. In the cultural function, one Bodo dance item (�Maigaini�) won the second prize.
He started his career as an insurance agent during college life and later shifted to Shillong in September 1947, and joined St Edmunds College (night section) and completed his BA. He later joined Janambhumi as its Shillong representative.
Sharma was part of a delegation comprising tribal leaders visiting Delhi from Shillong in 1956 and met late Jawaharlal Nehru.
As a student, Sharma participated in the �Quit India Movement� and was a victim of police oppression. He was one of the founder joint secretaries of Sivasagar College and Music School.
Sharma was also the member and advisor to the executive committee of the Assam Club, Shillong. He was the founder president of the All Meghalaya Assamese Association, member of the Shillong Assamese Girls� School at Laban and Shisumandir, trustee in Earle Holiday Home, Shillong, apart from holding several other posts as a social worker.
He was associated with the Laban Namghar at Shillong for the last 70 years. Sharma was also the founder member of the Shillong Matri Mandir Committee, life member of the Shillong Hindu Mission and Anath Ashram.
