The programme was organized to mark the 210th birth anniversary of Dr (Rev.) than Brown (June 22, 1807—1 Jan, 1886). A talk on ‘Role of than Brown and his associates in development of Assamese language’ was held on the occasion. Delivering the talk as the chief guest, amidst a mixed gathering of students as well as faculty members of the host institution and teachers from nearby colleges , Dr. Arpa Konwar, noted linguist and Professor, Assamese department, Dibrugarh University, urged the people of Assam to remember the great persolities like Dr. Brown, who apart from religious activities, tried to give the people of Assam a new lease of life in regard of language, literature as well as scientific attitude. By publishing Orunodoi, Brown and his associates immensely contributed towards recovering the government language status of ‘Assamese’, which was replaced by ‘Bengali’ by the then British rulers during 1836-1872. Dwelling on Brown’s activities, Dr. Konwar gave a detailed account of the activities of Dr. Brown and his close aides, including bringing out the first Assamese newspaper Orunodoi, publishing of the second Assamese grammar book on his own effort as well as helping in translating and publishing of other relevant books by others. She also hailed the efforts taken by the Department of Assamese of the college for remembering this great missiory who sacrificed a lot for the betterment of the greater Assamese society.
