GUWAHATI, Sept 27 � Governor of JB Patnaik on Thursday conferred the Sadashya Mahiyan title of Asam Sahitya Sabha on scholar Dr Nabin Chandra Sarma at the Samabartan 2012 function held here at Rabindra Bhawan.
At the Samabartan 2012 programme of the apex literary body of the State, the Sahityacharya titles of the Sabha were conferred on Jogen Chetia and Dr Ramesh Pathak. Poet and art critic Nilamoni Phukan who was also to be honoured with the Sahityacharya title could not be present at the function on account of his poor health.
Lauding the efforts of the Asam Sahitya Sabha in building the bridge of unity and amity amongst different communities, Patnaik said that he has always endorsed the view of the Sabha that Assamese should be used for all official communication in the State.
Patnaik while describing Assamese as a language that symbolized unity and integrity, called upon all the literary and cultural luminaries of the State to come forward and resolve the burning problems of Assam by voicing their opinion through the creative medium.
On the other hand, in his acceptance speech, Dr Nabin Chandra Sarma expressed his gratitude to the Sabha and said that during his journey in the world of knowledge he has learned a very important lesson�that is money does not make life, it is pursuit of knowledge and hard work that makes life. �Till my last breath, I will continue my pursuit of knowledge and spread them amongst the masses,� he added.
Sabha president Rong Bong Terang conferred the Sahityacharya title on litterateur and critic Jogen Chetia. Chetia, a dramatist who has also penned plays for children, said that he hears the call of higher life in all the activities of day to day life and so even in his twilight age he feels inspired and hopeful.
�I love drama. It is integral to my existence and continuation,� he said.
Linguist Dr Ramesh Pathak was conferred the Sahityacharya title by retired justice of Supreme Court Dr Mukundakam Sarma. Dr Sarma in his speech dwelt on the problems of the State and what role the literary figures need to play at this hour of crisis. �At this critical juncture for the State, the literary figures cannot isolate themselves. They should be the voice of the suffering masses. Cowardice and opportunism are the biggest obstacles in creating classic literature,� said Dr Pathak mentioning that poets and writers should not waste their ink to gain fame or awards.
