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Project for Padmanath Gohain Barua statue left incomplete

By Shambhu Boro - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

TEZPUR, Nov 6 - A life-size statue of Asam Sahitya Sabha�s first president Padmanath Gohain Barua was installed recently in Tinsukia town by the literary body�s president Dr Kuladhar Saikia in a bid to keep alive the memory of the �Asom Kandari� and his unmatched contribution towards strengthening Assamese language and literature.

However, a proposed bust of Padmanath Gohain Barua is lying in an incomplete and neglected manner at the Dhubapukhuri Par parking place in the heart of Tezpur town, which has evoked strong emotions among the people.

Padmanath Gohain Barua was the founder president of the historic Baan Theatre, and besides his close attachment with Tezpur, he published a weekly called Asom Banti from Tezpur that played a leading role in the development of Assamese language and literature at a most critical period.

Regarded as a �pitamaha� (great grandfather), Padmanath Gohain Barua in the later part of his life was involved in the development of Tezpur. He was the first chairman of the Tezpur Municipal Board and the founder of Asomiya Club. He also served in Tezpur Government Boys HS School for some time. Only because of the idea of environmental beautification in Tezpur by this visionary, places like Agnigarh Park, Owguri Hill park, Cole Park (now Chitralekha Udyan) have come into being as major tourist attractions.

To honour this legendary figure, the Tezpur Municipal Board planned to erect a bust or a life-size statue at Dhubapukhuri parking place during the rule of the previous government.

When contacted, civic authority sources revealed that a sizable amount of fund was sanctioned for the purpose. But the agencies that took responsibility simply constructed a 7x10 feet concrete base left the project incomplete.

People here have urged the district administration and the Asam Sahitya Sabha to look into the matter.

Expressing annoyance over the issue, Padmanath Gohain Barua�s grandson Sanjay Krishna Gohain Barua said it was a matter of regret that the concrete base is now surrounded by weeds. �As it is in a public parking place, people while parking their vehicles often throw waste materials, thereby creating a filthy atmosphere. The agencies that started the work should honestly come forward to complete it, otherwise it would be considered as total disrespect to the visionary person,� he said.