Emphasis laid on thorough scientific research on Majuli
From our Staff Correspondent
Dibrugarh, May 2: The 463th birth anniversary of Sri Sri Anirudhdeva was organized by Shri Shri Aniruddhadeva Chair in the History Department of Dibrugarh University (DU) recently.
The Vice-Chancellor of DU, Prof Alak Kumar Buragohain, while iugurating the function, in his address, stated that both Shri Shri Shankardev and Shri Shri Aniruddhadeva’s contribution towards forming a strong greater Assamese Society wasundeniable. “Both gurus stressed on democratic process towards building confidence among various sections of the society, which helped in unifying various factions of the society at a crucial moment when society had lost its direction,” Prof Buragohain said. He said Shri Shri Anirudhdeva set an ideal by embracing all sections of people in his fold when the entire society was in peril.
Referring Shri Shri Shankardev’s preaching elaborately, Dr Alak Buragohain said, he was not only a historical persolity or a religious preacher but a unique educationist who had introduced the concept of university by setting up xatras, much before the modern concept of university came into being. The VC further mentioned that his philosophy held relevance even now. He also commented on the present state of society in which the younger generation seems to be rootless. Referring to the challenging times when the Vaishvite guru maged to bring the society together, Prof Buragohain felt that a similar revival is necessary, which is achievable now. Dr Buragohain during his deliberation put more emphasis on a thorough scientific research on the past, present and future of ‘Xatra gari’ Majuli and its finding to be highlighted so that people’s efforts to place Majuli as World Heritage Site might be fulfilled.
Renowned scholars, former Dean of Aruchal University and a die-hard social activist Dr Sristi Dhar Dutta and Bhava Kanta Konwar were felicitated on the occasion by VC Dr Alak Buragohain for their immense contribution towards society.
The invited speaker, former professor of Political Science Department, DU, Professor Girin Phukan spoke on ‘The ethnicity of Assam: its background and politics’.
“The uneven economic development and the class interest are the root cause for growing conflicts among the various ethnic communities as well as the upper and high castes of the society,” Dr Phukan said while speaking on his assigned topic. He was of the opinion that equal development and progress would not be possible among all sections of people in the society if India failed to bring in transformation of its existing economic policy.
“A section of ethnic or middle class people of the State are benefited in the me of overall development which in turn gives birth to the politics of identity,” he said. Dr Phukan further stated that politics of identity had in the long run cropped up unending competition among the various ethnic groups which sometimes led to serious conflict among them.
“To end the unending conflicts among various sections of poor and exploited people of ethnic communities would harm miserably, when the need of the hour was to carry out the struggle by cementing the bond amongst them,” Dr Phukan asserted.
He emphasized the necessity of an able leader who had a vision of progressive philosophical attitude and leadership. Under the present circumstances, he called upon all to update and upgrade the community or class, a clarion call for the sake of all round development.
The Xatradhikar of Shri Shri North Kamala Bari Xatra, Shri Shri Jardhan Goswami who also spoke on Bhakti Bhava and the life and ideal of Sri Sri Anirudhha Deva and his contributions to the society at large.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof Dambarudhar th, who holds the Chair of Shri Shri Aniruddha Deva. He spoke about the activities of the Chair. Chandan Sarma, Assistant Professor in the Department of History, gave a brief introduction of Prof Prabhat Bora.
The meeting was chaired by Indreswar Khound.
