HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Feb 16: The Assam Gorkha Sammelan recently felicitated veteran social worker, advocate and sportsperson Khemraj Adhikari on his 93rd birth anniversary at a ceremony held at Bhupen Hazarika Kalabhumi in Tezpur.
The programme, presided over by the organisation’s working president Prem Sharma, began with a group song by children of Chandmari Gorkha Sangha, followed by a peace invocation.
Related Posts:
Chief general secretary Lakshmi Sedai welcomed the gathering and outlined the objective of the event.
Ceremonial lamp lighting and cake cutting were also held as attendees extended birthday greetings to Adhikari.
Tezpur MLA Prithiraj Rabha attended as the distinguished guest, while veteran sportsman Dr Biswaranjan Kalita delivered the keynote address.
Former Assam minister and former Sammelan president Padam Bahadur Chauhan released a felicitation volume highlighting Adhikari’s life and contributions.
Speakers at the event recalled his long-standing service as an advocate, social worker, sportsman and community leader, noting his role in strengthening the Gorkha community in Assam.
The programme was conducted under the guidance of retired Army officer Purna Bahadur Chhetri, with Daizy Pokowal and Jharna Mishra Bhattarai anchoring the proceedings. Sanskrit verses were recited to bless Adhikari, while members of the editorial board and contributing writers of the felicitation volume were also honoured.
Around 15 organisations, including the Assam Gorkha Sammelan, Bharatiya Gorkha Parishad, Nepali Sahitya Sabha and Seva Sadhana Sanstha, joined in felicitating Adhikari. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Swikriti Adhikari of Tezpur Medical College, his granddaughter.
Born on February 15, 1934, at Burachapari Grazing Reserve, Adhikari has devoted over six decades to public life.
A graduate of Darrang College, he later earned a master’s degree in economics from Gauhati University and an LL.B. degree.
He began his career as a teacher before joining the legal profession, where he became known for providing assistance to economically disadvantaged members of the Gorkha community.
A sports enthusiast in his youth, he also played football and cricket and served in leadership roles in student and district sports bodies.
Adhikari was actively involved in the graziers’ movement, chaired the Tezpur Graziers’ Samabay Dairy Limited for over a decade, and also served as a municipal commissioner of Tezpur.
