GUWAHATI, Feb 26 - Tributes were paid to the memories of two illustrious martyrs of the Sepoy Mutiny � Maniram Dewan and Piyali Baruah � whose 159th death anniversary was observed at a memorial function held at Kanaklal Baruah Bhawan under the auspices of the Maniram Dewan Trust today.
The meeting was presided over by senior journalist DN Chakravartty.
Executive president of the trust and great grandson of Maniram Dewan, Arun Baruah, while paying tributes to the martyrs, expressed regret at the apathetic attitude shown by the media as well as the young generation towards the illustrious martyrs of Assam.
Addressing the function as chief guest, Sachindranath Sarma, retired Commissioner of Water Resource Dept, Assam, narrated the contributions of Maniram Dewan both as a statesman and as a great fighter for the country�s freedom.
Describing Maniram Dewan as the pioneer tea planter in the country, Sarma mentioned that the organizing skill and depth of knowledge about Assam�s history and culture. He also spoke about the role played by Piyali Baruah in the Sepoy Mutiny.
Author Arup Dutta, Hemchandra Sarma and Uttam Baruah, while paying tribute to the martyrs, expressed the hope that the Assamese people would be more conscious and respectful about the genius and contributions of illustrious patriots like Maniram Dewan and Piyali Baruah. They also paid tributes to the memory of Benudhar Sarma, the great historian, who brought Maniram Dewan to national focus.
Rohini Kumar Sarma recited a poem, highlighting the contributions and sacrifices made by Maniram Dewan.
Chakravartty, in his presidential speech, regretted that while the press and the masses were now showing more interest in celebration of Valentine�s Day, they had been totally unconcerned about the martyrdom of Maniram Dewan.
Chakravartty said that it was a pity that Maniram Dewan who was a most outstanding person intellectually and from the point of view of statesmanship among the freedom fighters of the Sepoy Mutiny had not been recognized as a national hero.
