Politics is a medium to serve society: Dass

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 22: Social service, it seems, is the essence of Assam Assembly Speaker Ranjit Dass’ evolution as a politician.

With his wide experience in diverse fields – teaching as a lecturer, performing duty as an IIS officer, working as a jourlist, working as an Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) office-bearer, long association with culture and politics – the elevation of Dass to the post of Speaker of the august Assam Assembly is seen with respect by circles concerned.  

In a face-to-face programme with jourlists today, the Speaker gave enough hints that all that he does or wants to do are aimed at rendering social service. And this, according to him, can be done the best by being a politician. This amply means that for him ‘politics is just a medium for social service’.

When asked as to which he likes more in his long list of career fields, he missed no time to mention ‘politics’. He reasoned to buttress his stand: “Since my aim is to render social service, politics is the best medium to do get that done. It ebles me to render social service better,” he said.

Replying to a query from jourlists as to when the under construction Assam Assembly Bhawan will be completed, Dass said: “Soon. And it’ll be one of the best Assembly houses in the tion.”

When the jourlists wanted to know if he was in favour of a special dress code of the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the State Assembly when in session, he just said: “I think all formal dresses are enough to serve the purpose.”

Responding to a query from reporters that if he had sought any post from the party, Dass said: “I’ve never sought any post from the party. The party has made me the Speaker on its own.”

The jourlists also wanted to know as to what he is more successful – as an MLA or as the Speaker?  The straight response from Das is: “As both. Both the posts give me ample chance to serve people.”

When asked on his rating of the Assamese culture in the intertiol are, Dass said: “Given the progress that Assamese culture makes, it’ll soon have a strong footing in the field of culture in the world.”

On archy that is seen among the young generation in society, Dass wants to blame it on guardians also. “Awareness among guardians is a must so that they can show their children the right direction,” he said.

When asked as to what he will do if the party entrusts him another responsibility, Dass said: “I’ll perform sincerely whatever responsibility the party entrusts me.” When asked for his comment on the Sarbanda Sonowal-led BJP government in the State losing its sheen, Dass said: “It’s not right to make such comments when a government has completed just six months. The term of the State government is still far too long, and as such it’s too early to make any such comments.”