'Sankardev reformed and rebuilt Assamese society'

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, June 11: Prominent writer, novelist, litterateur and educationist Dr Karobi Deka Hazarika, is currently the chair-professor in the distinguished Lakshmith Bezbarooah Chair in the Department of Assamese of Dibrugarh University. Besides, she is also acting as the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences in Dibrugarh University and is the advisor to the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Centre for Studies in Performing Arts.

While attending as the chief guest speaker of the programme on ‘Importance of Sankardev’s philosophy in modern age’, said that Sankardev’s main intention was to rebuild the new Assamese society which was in dire straits. The programme was held at the Mahapurukh Sankardev Kola Kristi Gobhekho Kendra in Jorhat on Sunday.

Dr Karobi Deka Hazarika recalled the great saint as a social reformer-cum-rehabilitator and during his times, Assam was in great need for some sort of education for reformation of the society. Ultimately Sankardev found that religious education was needed at the earliest for social reformation of Assam. The great saint decided that education through religious means was the only option to reform the people then and he turned to become a religious guru. So to spread education, Sankardev took help of social media by holding awareness meets in nook and corners, especially in the amghars.

Dr Deka Hazarika also said some of the pioneers who did in-depth study to know about Sankardev’s teaching and philosophy were Lakshmith Bezbaruah, Kaliram Medhi, Maheshwar Neog, Horo Mohan Das and Birinchi Kumar Baruah. She said Lakshmith Bezbaruah was the one who took Sankardev out of the amghar to the society with his writings.

Regarding the art of living, Sankardev taught the art of living 500 years ago, which the Government of India is now imposing in the form of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan throughout the country. “What we are learning and trying to do today, the great saint gave and taught us years earlier,” Dr. Deka added.

Earlier, Sri Sri rayan Chandra Goswami, Xattradhikar of tun Kamalabari Xatra, Majuli, iugurated the newly-constructed entrance gate built in memory of Pritam Dutta, which was doted by prominent educationist Binita Dutta and Bhaben Chandra Dutta. The Xattradhikar said that there was no end to Sankardev’s contribution to the society.

Atul Chandra Bordoloi, the president of Mahapurukh Sankardev Kola Kristi Gobhekho Kendra, presided over the day-long programme while Bhabendra th Dutta, the former president of the Kendra, educationist Binita Dutta, spoke on behalf of the donor family while Dr. Jayant Deka and Girish Chandra Bordoloi, both members of the Kendra, welcomed and felicitated the special guest Sri Sri rayan Chandra Goswami, Dr. Karobi Deka Hazarika, Bhobvo Goswami and ren Dutta, both prominent citizens of Jorhat respectively.