Assam Governor inaugurates Braille edition of Hemkosh dictionary

HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 18: Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi inaugurated the Braille edition of Hemkosh dictionary at a function held in Vivekananda Kendra, Uzanbazar in the city on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said, “Today is a proud moment for Assam and its people as the Sadin-Pratidin Group has given a new dimension to the Assamese language by publishing the Braille Dictionary. This endeavour will also increase the parameter of Hemkosh as from today onwards, the visually challenged people can also enjoy the benefits of Hemkosh. I congratulate the entire team on this noble cause.”
The Governor further added, “We know that the only means of reading and writing for the visually challenged is the Braille script which was invented by a French writer Louis Braille in 1821. It makes me happy that the Sadin-Pratidin Group has brought out the Braille version of its prestigious dictionary Hemkosh for the visually challenged which is commendable. I believe that this Assamese Braille Dictionary will definitely help in improving the education quality of visually challenged children of the state.”
Mukhi also expressed happiness to learn that in 1919, the first publication of the dictionary Hemkosh was published by Hem Chandra Baruwa who gave a new identity and a new direction to the Assamese language through Hemkosh which consistently remained a favourite for everybody.
Hailing the efforts of Jayanta Barua, the Governor said that for the first time in the country someone has started ‘Assamese Braille Dictionary’ which is highly appreciable. All these years Hemkosh has been helpful in the uplift and progress of the Assamese language and now ‘Assamese Braille Dictionary’ will be a great help for the visually challenged, the Governor added.
The Governor said that he was happy to learn that the Braille version of Hemkosh will be distributed free of cost to the visually challenged in the state which is a generous step in the direction of spreading knowledge.
The launching function was attended by Pandit Bharatendu Pandey of Delhi University, group chairman Jayanta Baruah, director, Pratidin Group Smitakhi B. Goswami, GM, Pratidin Time Gaurav Goswami, academicians, noted writers along with other dignitaries.