Anti-CAA Shadow Over Death Anniversary of Pratima Baruah Pandey

AASU abstains from giving away the annual award

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Friday observed the 17th death anniversary of legendary singer Padmashree Pratima Baruah Pandey without giving away the annual award instituted in memory of the singer in view of prevailing situation in the State due to anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests.

The Padmashree Pratima Baruah Pandey Memorial Award instituted by the AASU, is given annually on December 27, the death anniversary of the folk singer.

Paying tributes to the singer at a function held at Chandmari Swahid Udyan here on Friday morning, AASU chief advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya said the students’ organization has felt that the present time is not condusive to confer the prestigious award.

Dr Bhattacharjya criticized the present regime in Dispur for not taking any initiative to preserve the ancestral house of Pratima Baruah Pandey in Goalpara district. He also expressed concern over the fact the government has not taken steps to preserve creative work of the folk singer. AASU president Dipanko Kumar Nath while speaking at the function, said the students’ union will start giving away the The Padmashree Pratima Baruah Pandey Memorial Award from the next year.

Meanwhile, hundreds of city residents and artistes assembled at Chandmari Swahid Udyan here to pay tributes to the folk singer who won millions hearts in Assam through her songs.

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