SIVASAGAR, June 21 - The 21st death anniversary of Seuj Konwar Parag Chaliha was observed by various organisations here today by maintaining social distancing norms.
Members of Parag Chaliha Smriti Rakshya Samiti and Sivasagar Natya Samaj paid rich tributes to the legendary social worker, educationist, sports organiser, artist, dramatist, singer and a politician of rare calibre at a simple function held at the Sivasagar Saulung Sukapha Indoor Stadium which was participated by a host of leading educationists of the town.
Sourov Chaliha, son of Parag Chaliha, delivered the welcome address and Dipali Chaliha, wife of Parag Chaliha, Dr Babul Saikia, Abdul Zelil, Lakhikanta Mahanta, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, Buddhin Mishra, Dr Dibya Rajkhowa, Dr Raju Gogoi, Dr Saumerjyoti Mahanta, Dr Asiyana Begum, Dr PP Chetia, Dr Prafulla Kalita, Dr Mayashree Goswami, Dipali Neog, Jagat Gogoi, Abdul Hamid and members of the Smriti Rakhya Samiti offered floral tributes before Chaliha�s bust.
Abdul Zelil, Inspector of Schools, Sivasagar Circle, in his speech said that Parag Chaliha was a disciplinarian to the core and never compromised with it throughout his life and works. As Principal of Sibsagar College, which his father late Padmadhar Chaliha founded, he had total control over every aspect of the college and endured immense hardship for taking it to the level of an eminent college in India.
In another commemorative function organised by Sivasagar Jila Sahitya Sabha at Rongpur Sahitya Sabha Bhawan today, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, former president and educationist, said there are few contemporary statesmen and intellectuals in Assam who could even come close to Parag Chaliha, who was a multifaceted personality.
He was not only a writer, musician, composer, sportsperson, social worker, educationist-turned-politician, but also the architect of modern Sivasagar.
Had the young Asom Gana Parishad leadership made him the Chief Minister, the fate of Assam would have been far better than what it is today.
Uzzal Thakur said that Parag Chaliha had a soft corner for the poor students though he struck terror in the hearts of his students. Mukul Nath in his speech said that Prag Chaliha did not receive the honour he deserved during his lifetime and it would be difficult to get another man like him in the years to come.
The function was addressed, among others, by Sontosh Dutta, secretary of Jila Sahitya Sabha, Saffikur Rahman, Sadikur Rahman, Prajal Pujari, Prasanta Borgohain, Madhov Gogoi, Bina Goswami, Minoti Hazarika Bora, Snigdha Thakur and Manoj Gogoi.
