HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, Oct 15: The birth centenary celebration of Dr Birendra Kumar Bhattacharjya, the first Assamese president of Sahitya Academy, the first individual to be appointed to a university’s special chair, and a former president of Asom Sahitya Sabha, began with an inaugural event at Madhov Chandra Bezbaruah Hall, Sivasagar College on Saturday.
Related Posts:
The Dr Birendra Kumar Bhattacharjya Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr Nitul Sarmah, associate professor at Dibrugarh HB Kanoi College during the meeting presided over by Khagendranath Bhuyan. Dr Sarmah highlighted the genuine humanity and empathy for common people that characterised Birendra Kumar Bhattacharjya’s novels and poems.
Khagendranath Bhuyan mentioned that Bhattacharjya had declined the offer from the Central government to provide the president of the Sahitya Academy with the rank and privileges of a cabinet minister. Bhattacharjya remained a writer for the common people throughout his life. He was also responsible for bringing talents like Dhol maestro Moghai Oza into the limelight, leaving ample elements for research in his life history for the new generation.
The welcome address was delivered by Juga Gogoi, former president of Sibsagar Jila Sahitya Sabha. Dr Prafulla Kalita, the principal of Sivasagar College, inaugurated the program, and Nayan Chetia recited a poem written by Birendra Kumar Bhattacharjya.
Dr Ritamoni Bairagi offered the vote of thanks, and Dr Nirupoma Mahanta, Monica Saikia, Dipali Bhattacharya Baruah, and Dr Ratneswar Deori also participated in the proceedings. The birth centenary celebrations are an opportunity to remember and honor the contributions of this influential figure in Assamese literature.
