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Yogi community known for bravery: CM

By Correspondent

MANGALDAI, Feb 4 � Comparing Assam to a garden with different blooming flowers in the shape of diverse ethnic groups and communities, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, �as I am the gardener, so everybody should extend all possible help and cooperation for the smooth and proper maintenance of this garden�.

The Chief Minister observed while addressing the concluding open session of the 96th annual conference of Assam Pradeshik Yogi Sanmilan (APYS) at Danbir Haliram Nath Saharia ground at Burhapathar near Sipajhar in Darrang district.

The annual session of APYS, the apex body of the Nath Yogi community of the State, was held with a four-day programme from January 29 last. Addressing the largely attended open session, Chief Minister Gogoi recalled the sterling contributions of the Yogi community not only to Assam, but in the entire country and pointed out that the Yogi community is well-known for their bravery and heroism. They have the courage to confront any adversary�, he said.

�Assam is the only State in India where development councils for different communities have been formed for promotion and preservation of their traditional culture and literature. In fact the Congress Government initially took the initiative of setting up development councils for various communities like Nath Yogi, Koch Rajbongshi, Tiwa, Mising, Sonowal Kachari, etc,� claimed Gogoi in his speech.

�As the Congress Government in the State has undertaken various welfare measures in order to expedite the pace of all- round development among the ethnic groups and communities, hence the people should extend unstinted support to the Congress Government so that such welfare works are not stalled halfway�, he appealed.

Many a time, a section of the society seem to forget the contributions of the Congress party,� he rued.

Significantly, the Chief Minister did not utter a single word on the recent reshuffle of the State ministry, intensified operation against the militants, particularly the NDFB(S) or Congress dissidence. However, he appreciated the initiative taken by the Assam Nath Yogi Development Council.

In the meeting which was presided over by APYS president Dr Harendra Nath Bora, the Sanmilan presented the Matsyendra Nath Award along with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with a citation, sarai, seleng sador and eri sador to eminent writer-cum-journalist Homen Borgohain.

Similarly, Mahanta Shivnathji Maharaj of Odisha was conferred the Gorakshya Nath Award while the Head of the Department of History of Dibrugarh University, Dr Dambarudhar Nath was presented the Pandit Tattwabhushan Raj Mohan Nath Award. Again, the Satradhikar of Uttar Kamalabari Satra in Majuli, Janardan Deva Goswami was conferred the Danbir Hali Ram Nath Saharia Award. The awards were presented in recognition for the recipients� immense contribution towards the society in their respective fields.

It may be mentioned that the APYS had instituted these four awards for the first time this year. Minister for Fisheries, Water Resource and Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Basanta Das also attended the open session along with other dignitaries, while the chairman of the Assam Nath Yogi Development Council and secretary of APYS Dhiren Nath anchored the function.

Earlier, with an intention to mark the 96th session of APYS, a cultural procession was taken out in the morning with different cultural teams depicting the traditional Darrangi folk culture.

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