Seminar on Srimanta Sankardeva’s contributions held

HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Nov 4: The Hindi department of the Margherita College in collaboration with Agra based
Central Hindi Sanstha on Saturday organized a national seminar on Vaishnavite saint Srimanta
Sankardev’s contribution towards our Indian traditional knowledge.
The programme began with the illumination of the earthen lamp and Borgeet performed by the
students of the Margherita College.
After that resource persons such as principal of the Margherita College Atonu Kakoty, Delhi University
professor Chandan Kumar, noted social worker from Delhi Lakshminarayan Bhalla, principal of Ledo
College Kripa Prasad Upadhyay, regional director of the Central Hindi Sanstha Chandra Shekhar Choubey
addressed the seminar.
Speaking on the occasion, Atonu Kakoty said, “Srimanta Sankardev’s contributions towards our society
and nation building are immense for which the great Assamese society has earned name and fame all
over the world.”
“Ek Sarana Dharma (literally shelter in one religion) is a neo-Vaishnavite monolithic religion propagated
by Srimanta Sankardev during the 15th to 16th century for which he is known at all. The Vaishnavite
saint’s contributions to our Indian society cannot be surpassed,” said Kakoty.
Professor Chandan Kumar, who was present as a keynote speaker said that through Srimanta Sankardev
the world has been able to know Assam Sattriya dance, Borgeet, mask-making, literature, dance , drama
and painting.
“Majuli and Madhapur satra are two historical places with which Srimanta Sankardev is associated with.
While Majuli is famous for mask-making and Sattriya dance, Madhupur satra is a religious institutional
centre associated with Eksarana tradition of Vaishnavism situated in Cooch Behar in West Bengal,” said
Chandan Kumar.
Altogether 19 students from different college and universities submitted papers during the seminar. This
was followed by a cultural programme.
Faculty members from the Dibru College, DDR College, Ledo College, Cotton University, Dhubri Girls’
College, Doomdooma College, Lakhimpur College, Naharkatiya College, Tinsukia Women’s College,
Duliajan Girls’ College, All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad, Margherita marwari community, Margherita
Journalists Association, students of the Margherita College and several distinguished persons were also
present at the seminar.