HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Dec 12: Dr Sanjib Pal Deka, a noted writer, researcher, and faculty of the Assamese department at Tezpur University, highlighted the importance of presenting Borgeet in its correct form during an oration program organised by the Sonitpur Press Club. The event, held in memory of Sanskrit scholar and journalist Late Narendra Dev Sastri, included the presentation of the ‘Narendra Deva Shastri Memorial Award’ to committed writer and retired teacher Surendra Mohan Nath.
Dr Deka, in his keynote speech on the topic ‘Borgeetar Path Parampora’, highlighted the issue of certain songs circulating as ‘Borgeet’ that were not originally part of the Sanchipat manuscript. He cited examples such as ‘Kampita Madhava’, ‘Bahuri Gauri Gopala’, ‘Shankar Guru Hari’, ‘Shyam Chanda Mukhi’, ‘Srimanta Shankar’, and ‘Harinam Rase’. Dr Deka pointed out that these songs, created during the eighteenth century with religious fervor, are mistakenly considered as Borgeet. He stressed that it is an obligation for all to present Borgeet in its correct form.
During the award ceremony, Surendra Mohan Nath, the recipient of the ‘Narendra Deva Shastri Memorial Award’, expressed his deep pleasure for receiving an award instituted in memory of a noble soul like Narendra Dev Sastri. Local MLA Prithiraj Rabha spoke about the late Narendra Dev Sastri’s contributions to ethical journalism and Assamese literature, highlighting his role in imparting value education to society.
The program also included keynote lectures on the life and contribution of late Narendra Deva Sastri by journalist Pulak Kumar Deka. Five distinguished personalities, including lawyer and journalist Subhash Chandra Biswas, environmental activist Kumud Barua, teacher Pankaja Saikia, lawyer Jamini Kumar Baishya, and social activist Tarun Das, were felicitated for their significant contributions to society and their professions. Children’s litterateur Dilip Kumar Barua was also honored for receiving a government literary award.
The meeting, presided over by Subhash Chandra Biswas, president of Sonitpur Press Club, and hosted by executive president Pankaj Baruah, commenced with paying homage to late Narendra Dev Sastri and a Borgeet presented by Hiramoni Lahkar.
