GUWAHATI, June 16 - Tributes were paid to Anandaram Dhekial Phukan, prophet and philosopher of the 19th century Assamese renaissance, at a public meeting held under the auspices of Guwahati Sabita Sabha at the Satyanath Bora Bhawan here today. Dr Banikanta Sarma presided over the function.
Dipak Sarma chanted mangalacharanam, while Sahityacharya Dr Pramod Bhatacharya lighted the ceremonial lamp.
Inaugurating the function, Prof Upen Sarma dwelt at length on the literary and social contributions of Dhekial Phukan for restoration of the status and dignity of the Assamese language in the courts and schools of the State after its long banishment following British occupation.
Addressing the function as chief guest, senior journalist DN Chakravartty said few great sons of the world had done so much as was done by Dhekial Phukan for the cause of the Assamese language, literature and nationality in a short span of life of only 29 years. He added that a voracious reader and a highly enlightened person, Dhekial Phukan had a vision of a resurgent Assam free from opium addiction, illiteracy and intellectual and moral lethargy.
He also suggested installation of statues of Dhekial Phukan in Guwahati and other important towns of the State.
Ramanikanta Deka said that there are few parallels in the country to match the great contributions to a nationality compared to what was done by Dhekial Phukan. Radha Bora thanked the people for their attendance, while Dr Roman Sharma, secretary of Sabita Sabha, welcomed the guests and explained the purpose of the meeting.
Dr Banikanta Sarma, in his presidential remarks, regretted that the Assamese people proved themselves ungrateful to a great son of Assam for his outstanding contribution to the restoration of honour of the Assamese language.
