Death anniversary of Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta observed in Dibrugarh

 A CORRESPONDENT

DOOMDOOMA: The first death anniversary of Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta, one of the frontrunners of the feminism movement in Assam and founder co-ordinator of Dibrugarh University Women Studies Centre, was observed under the auspices of UGC Centre for Women Studies, Dibrugarh University recently at a solemn function held in her Garokhiabari, Milannagar, Dibrugarh residence with coordinator Nasnmeem Farhin Akhtar in the chair.

The function was attended by Vice-Chancellor, Dibrugarh University, Dr Jiten Hazarika as chief guest while two speakers - Dr Sandhya Devi and Arindam Barkataki - dwelt on the topics 'Professor Aparna Dutta Mahanta's contribution towards feminism movement in Assam' and 'Contribution of Professor Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta towards Assamese literature and culture' respectively.

The first speaker, leading female writer Dr Sandhya Devi gave an account of the evolution of the feminism movement on a world perspective and narrated how Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta undertook a methodical study of the feminism movement in Assam from the view point of historical perspectives. "Feminism does not mean hatred towards the males", Dr Dutta Mahanta often said and inferred that "it means arousing consciousness amongst women about their rights". That was explained nicely in the books that she had written on feminism.

Dr Sandhya Devi termed the publication of the volume Ghar-Jeuti - the epitome of first women journalism in Assam - published by Publication Board, Assam (2008) and painstaking compilation and editing by Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta as the "monument of her excellence".

On the other hand, the other speaker, noted critic Arindam Barkataki said that Dr Mahanta had the rare quality of personal and intellectual integrity besides scholarship. Referring to her book Kitap, Manuh Aru Jiban, he said that Dr Mahanta developed an "assimilation with books" which broadened her understanding of the society and its realistic sources. Significantly, Barkataki said that Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta was first to introduce the concept of 'feminism' in criticism of Assamese literature.

Vice Chancellor, DU, Dr Jiten Hazarika said it was on record that Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta received all India recognition as a precursor of women studies in Northeast India. Because of her incessant effort in this direction, she became an institution now, he said.

The function was attended by Dr Paramananda Mahanta, her husband, and other family members. An unpublished book of Dr Aparna Dutta Mahanta The Other House, published by Mannad Publication, was released by Vice-Chancellor Dr Jiten Hazarika.

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