HT Correspondent
BISWANATH CHARIALI, Feb 8: The 95th annual conference of the Srimanta Sankardev Sangha, convened by the Tezpur district committee, concluded on Saturday amid a massive turnout of devotees and visitors from across Assam and abroad. The Jyoti-Bishnu Samannay Khetra at the Soibari–Naharbari paddy field witnessed an overwhelming gathering of more than two lakh people, turning the venue into what many described as a second Baikunthpuri on the third and final day of the state-level conference.
The atmosphere at the conference site resonated with spiritual fervour as Bhagawat orations, Dihanaam, Kirtan, Naam Prasanga, ‘Doba-kah’ and the rhythmic sounds of Nagara filled the surroundings, creating an ambience of devotion and holiness.
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The final day’s programme began with a cleanliness drive, followed by Pratah Prasanga and Naam Prasanga in the morning. Padadhikar Bhabendranath Deka inaugurated the Sangha flag at 9 AM, along with the hoisting of 55 Sangha flags by representatives of various district committees. The Bhagawat Bhraman and a multi-cultural procession were also inaugurated by the Padadhikar.
The grand procession commenced from the Jyoti-Bishnu Samannay Khetra and passed through Bakola, Katharbari, Muradol, Gerekichuk, Tamulichuk, Salaguri, Panchajanya Khetra, Madhupur, Bogakura and Panigaon, covering a distance of nearly 10 kilometres before returning to the conference site. Around 150 teams representing diverse communities including Assamese, Bodo, Mising, Gorkha, Marwadi, Arunachali, Naga, Deuri, Bengali and tea-tribe communities participated in the procession. The rally featured spectacular replicas and depictions of Bhagawat, Kirtan Path, Naam Prasanga, Rash festival, Sati Jaymati, traditional ‘mukha’ art, presentations from Zubeen Garg’s musical albums and various forms of Sankari art and culture, drawing wide appreciation from spectators.
The open session was held in the afternoon at the Dharma Ratna Gahan Chandra Goswami and Golak Kakaty Memorial main pandal, with Padadhikar Bhabendranath Deka presiding over the session. Kamala Kanta Gogoi, advisor of the Sangha, inaugurated the open session. Kushal Thakuriya, principal secretary of the Sangha, presented the annual report, followed by a written address from the Padadhikar.
On the occasion, Gyani Jasbir Singh, representing the Assamese Sikh community, conferred the ‘Shrestatwa Sanman’ on Padadhikar Bhabendranath Deka. The honour included a Sikh turban, the Granth Sahib and ‘Saruwa’.
The open session featured Rajani Kanta Dutta as the appointed speaker, Darshit Barua as the child speaker, Anirban Chetia as the youth speaker and Mousumi Barua as the women speaker. Among those present as distinguished guests were Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Padma Hazarika, MLA from Naduar, Utpal Sarma, president of the All Assam Students’ Union, Diganta Ghatowal, MLA from Behali LAC, Rana Pratap Barua, along with several others.
At the conclusion of the conference, the Sangha flag was formally lowered by the principal secretary and handed over to the Lakhimpur district committee by the Padadhikar and office bearers. Samiran Hazarika inaugurated the colourful cultural evening programme.
It may be mentioned that the three-day 95th session of the Srimanta Sankardev Sangha began on February 6 at the Jyoti-Bishnu Samannay Khetra at the Naharbari–Soibari paddy field and concluded on Saturday under the aegis of the Tezpur district committee of the Sangha, in association with the general public of the area.
