SIVASAGAR, July 1 - The complete works of freedom fighter, litterateur, academician, composer, actor, sports organiser and politician Parag Chaliha was released at a well-attended function held at the Sivasagar Natya Mandir yesterday by former Sahitya Sabha president Dr Nagen Saikia.
The 1,200-page complete works compiled and edited by Trailukya Sarmah and priced at Rs 1,500 has been published by Parag Chaliha Smriti Raksha Samiti. It will help the new generation to evaluate the multi-faceted personality and his contributions spread over many decades.
Dr Saikia, while addressing the gathering on the occasion of Chaliha�s 29th death anniversary, said that Seuj Konwar Parag Chaliha was an indomitable spirit who could instil confidence and courage among the people for some great works like establishment of the Sibsagar College, Sivasagar Natya Mandir and Saulung Sukapha Indoor Stadium in this historic temple-cum-oil town.
�His literary works amply reflect his deep love for the land and its people, his nationalism and his all-embracing humanism. The complete works has given Parag Chaliha a new lease of life even after his death,� Dr Saikia added.
Addressing the meeting as the chief guest, Hitendranath Goswami, Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, said that as a politician Parag Chaliha never compromised on issues related to Assam and the Assamese people and was a pillar of strength for regionalism within a broad pan-Indian nationalism.
Commenting on the present state of the Sivasagar Natya Mandir, a dream project of Parag Chaliha, the Speaker said that it urgently needed repair and a facelift. He, therefore, called upon the management trust and Sivasagar district administration to give it a modern look.
The meeting, compered by Saurov Chaliha and Rumin Baruah, was addressed, among others, by Dr Laksmanan S, Deputy Commissioner of Sivasagar, Dipali Chaliha, wife of Parag Chaliha and president of the Natya Mandir management committee, Lakhikanta Mahanta, president of Parag Chaliha Smriti Raksha Samiti and Trailukya Sarma, editor of the volume on Parag Chaliha.
Meritorious students Dharani Kakoty, Geeta Das, Binanda Saikia, Abhijit Gogoi, Biki Dutta, Rajiv Bora, Rituporan Rajkhowa, Ashruta Kousik and Bibhu Saikia were given cash incentives by the Parag Chaliha Memorial Trust. As a part of the programme, children presented cultural items and regaled the audience.
