HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 10: The 11th edition of the Mahendra Kumar Baruah Memorial Lecture and Tribute event, organised by New Art Players (NAP), a premier socio-cultural organisation of Assam, successfully concluded on Sunday.
The program, held at the upcoming cultural project’s auditorium of NAP, began with a special tribute to the organisation’s dedicated late members who, despite numerous challenges, brought the organisation to its current position since 1954. At the event, NAP president Ajay Kumar Dutta, along with esteemed guests and family members of the members, offered heartfelt tributes to the departed by lighting lamps and offering flowers.
Related Posts:
Following this, NAP general secretary Rathindra Narayan Bhattacharya remembered each of the late members by name and shared memories of them, after which all members and guests present on the occasion observed a moment of silent prayer for the eternal peace of their souls.
In the next segment, Nayan Prasad anchored the 11th Mahendra Kumar Baruah Memorial Lecture, which commenced with a ‘Mangalacharan’ by Sunayana Goswami Sharma. In his welcome speech, NAP president Ajay Kumar Dutta reminisced about Mahendra Kumar Barua and warmly welcomed the chief guest, recently retired Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, along with other distinguished guests. Following this, the chief guest was honored by NAP and the family of the late Barua. On behalf of Barua’s family, Kuljit Baruah extended thanks to NAP for organising this lecture series since 1988. Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita (Retd) then delivered a lecture on the topic ‘How Safe Are We from a Fragile Neighborhood?’ His compelling and thought-provoking insights captivated everyone present. During the Q&A session that followed, several individuals participated actively.
Retired Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita spoke on a very significant and sensitive topic. He stated, “We must work to ensure peace and prosperity continue in our state.” His address particularly emphasised the aspect of security, touching upon issues like the development of infrastructure in Assam and the northeastern region, foreign policy, and the ways modern technology is simplifying our lives.
He also highlighted that without border security, it is impossible to envision comprehensive development in Assam and the Northeast. He pointed out the strategic importance of borders in the Northeast, mentioning how certain isolated separatist ideologies exploit the region’s distance from the rest of the country and its proximity to foreign adversarial forces.
Kalita noted that the rise of radical Islam is also a threat to India, with the potential to significantly impact Assam and the entire north-eastern region.
Rana Pratap Kalita noted that Myanmar, which has been facing intense conflict since 2022, holds significant implications for India’s Act East Policy. Myanmar’s situation directly impacts border states like Nagaland and Manipur, leading to increased migration into Mizoram and Manipur and creating social pressures in these regions.
Vice-president Mallika Baruah offered a vote of thanks, and the event concluded with the singing of the state anthem.
