Respect sentiments of people of Assam: Axam Xahitya Xabha to Zubeen, Papon

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

gaon, April 22: Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) Dr Dhrubajyoti Bora has expressed concern over the week-long controversy over the issue of Jatiya Sangeet and appealed to popular singers of Zubeen Garg and Papon to respect the sentiments of the people of Assam.

Taking part in a meeting at gaon Press Club, Dr Bora told media persons that artistes should not resort to such cheap controversy to increase their popularity, especially in issues where the sentiments of the people were involved. Commenting on the issue, he said, "Adoption of Lakhmith Bezbaruah's creation as Assam anthem was a historical and formal process of AXX and the same was accepted by the Assamese people and later by the State Government. It is not a matter of joke as exhibited by the two popular artistes in the Bihu functions." He further asked the artistes to apologize before the people of Assam for their 'irresponsible' act.

The AXX president was taking part in a function organized by gaon Press Club where he formally given away a sum of Rs 75,000 to the widow of deceased jourlist Ratul Bora. The amount was collected and deposited by gaon Press Club as aid for the maintence of the child of the deceased jourlist.

 Addressing the audience and the jourlists at the function Dr Bora said that the present time was very crucial for the Assamese tion. "The term Assamese has also created an uneasy situation in the State. The AXX is clear in this issue. History says that the Assamese tion was created by assimilation of various ethnic groups, tribes, irrespective of any religious or caste difference. The Assamese tion was created by the common lingua franca that we know as Assamese and it is the only medium for exchange of feelings of different people residing in the distinct area of Assam. Therefore, the people who take Assamese language as their first, second and third language, are Assamese people and this stands above all political controversy," said Dr Bora.

Admitting the preference for English medium schools, Dr Bora said that the domince of English language in the world was an intertiol issue. "Even French and Chinese are facing serious threat from the English language because English is the intertiol commercial medium and it is commonly used in the field of technology. But we have to be patient and take positive steps to keep our language alive," said the AXX president.