Assam: Bronze Statue of Bhaxar Oja Hemchandra Baruah Unveiled at Dibrugarh University

Correspondents

DIBRUGARH: A bronze statue of Bhaxar Oja Hemchandra Baruah was unveiled at Dibrugarh University on his birth anniversary by former president of Axom Xahitya Sabha Dr Nagen Saikia on Tuesday. The statue celebrates the legacy of the revered linguist and social reformer Hemchandra Baruah.

Baruah was known by pseudonym Bhaxar Oja for his immense contributions towards foundation of modern Assamese language.

While speaking after the unveiling of the statue, Dr Saikia expressed gratitude for this initiative and reflected on Hemchandra Baruah’s immense contributions to Assamese literature and society. 

“Hemchandra Baruah is a doyen in Assamese literature and his contribution was immense in the field of literature. He described Hemkosh, the first etymological dictionary of Assamese language, as a monumental gift to the people by Hemchandra Baruah,” Dr Saikia said.

Sadin-Pratidin Group chairman Jayanta Baruah, Associate Editor of Asomiya Pratidin Prakash Mahanta, Dibrugarh University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jiten Hazarika and several other dignitaries were present at the occasion.

SIVASAGAR: The birth anniversary of the renowned Assamese linguist and creator of the Hemkosh dictionary, Bhaxar Oja Hemchandra Baruah, was celebrated with grandeur in the historic town of Sivasagar on Tuesday. The event, jointly organized by the Sivasagar District Newspaper Distributors’ Association and Amolapatty Traders’ Association, organized at the Hemchandra Baruah Memorial Park in Amolapatty.

Distinguished citizens Babul Dutta and writer Hema Baruah paid tribute to the statue of the revered linguist by lighting lamps and offering floral garlands. The event, anchored by journalist and poet Satyajit Nath, featured recitations by young students from various educational institutions on poems themed around Hemchandra Baruah.

In an open meeting presided over by social worker and President of Nature’s Beacon, Dr Jehiruddin Khan, speakers including Manoj Borthakur, Karunabh Dutta, Debabrata Borthakur, retired professor Jyotiprasad Dutta, senior journalist Pranjal Rajguru, and other dignitaries highlighted the significant contributions of Hemchandra Baruah to the revival and preservation of the Assamese language. They emphasized his role in combating social evils, superstitions and racial prejudices, thereby laying the foundation for a progressive, scientifically-minded society.

Several speakers proposed that the Assam Government formally declare December 10 as the State Language Protection Day. They also suggested naming a professorial chair at Dibrugarh University in memory of Hemchandra Baruah.

During the event, prizes and certificates were awarded to the winners of a painting competition held on December 8 in memory of Hemchandra Baruah. The ceremony concluded with Raju Nath, Secretary of Amolapatty Traders’ Association, presenting a brief summary of the event and expressing gratitude to the community. In the evening, 189 earthen lamps were ceremonially lit at the Hemchandra Baruah Memorial Park in Amolapatty.

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