GUWAHATI, April 16 - The Guwahati Senior Citizens� Association (GSCA) recently felicitated retired DGP and social worker Nishinath Changkakati for his distinguished services both as an efficient, honest officer and as a relentless worker for the cause of the poor and the downtrodden.
A meeting held on the occasion under the presidentship of senior journalist Dhirendra Nath Chakravartty, was inaugurated by Hrishikesh Goswami, Press Adviser to the Chief Minister.
Addressing the function, Goswami stressed the need for generation of a strong and consistent public opinion to dispel the vitiating climate of corruption, violence and self-aggrandisement.
Referring to the ancient Indian system of education where the principles of ideal life and morality were taught in the family, and science and philosophy in the seminaries, he attributed the degradation of morality among the younger generation to the irresponsibility of parents, family elders and lack of ideals among a section of teachers.
Changkakati, in his acceptance speech, spoke about the good qualities of Indian people in the past and analysed the causes of the present-day degradation, which, however, is quite widespread.
The meeting also felicitated the Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University (GU) Dr Mridul Hazarika on the distinction conferred by the Union Human Resource Development Ministry on GU as one of the best varsities of the country.
Dr Hazarika, in his reply said that it would be his constant endeavour to build up the university as per the vision of Krishna Kanta Handiqui and following in the footsteps of academic luminaries like Dr Radhakrishnan.
Chakravartty, in his presidential address, dwelt at length on the causes of India�s advancement in the past and present degradation. He also referred to the lack of proper planning in the collective life of the Assamese people, which had been amply reflected in the setting up of one of the ugliest capitals of the country, at Dispur.
Ramanikanta Deka, Puspa Bora and Bimal Kumar Hazarika referred to the qualities of the head and heart of Changkakati. Bhaskar Baruah, retired Secretary to the Government of India, who was a student of Changkakati during his childhood, spoke about the intellectual brilliance, magnanimity of heart and transparency of character of Changkakati, describing him as a jewel among police officers.
Baruah presented a cheque of Rs 10,000 to Changkakati as donation to the philanthropic organisation named Karunadhara.
