STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The 155th birth anniversary of Xahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaruah was celebrated by the Kamrup (M) district administration at Xahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaruah Chowk, Guwahati Club on Monday.
Xahityarathi, meaning ‘Charioteer of Literature’ was used for the first time for Bezbaruah in a felicitation letter by the Axom Xahitya Xabha, for his expertise in all branches of literature. He is also known as Roxoraj meaning ‘The King of Humour’ in Assamese literature for his ever-popular satirical writings. Among the State anthem O Mur Apunar Dex, the great scholar gave the Assamese culture a vast range of literary works starting from the ever popular children’s folk tales Burhi Aair Xadhu to biographies such as Mahapurush Sri Sankardev Aru Sri Madhabdev.
Celebrating his birth anniversary, a lamp lighting ceremony was performed by CM media advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, who also paid floral tributes in front of Bezbaruah’s statue. CM legal advisor Shantanu Bharali, deputy commissioner Biswajeet Pegu, and district development commissioner Atul Kumar Sharma, among others were also present.
Goswami, while offering tribute to the great scholar said, “The contributions of Xahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaruah to the Assamese culture are immeasurable and highly inspirational.”
The Former Chief Minister Assam, Tarun Gogoi also paid floral tribute to in front of the statue of Rasaraj at Xahityarathi Lakhminath Bezbaroa Chowk, Guwahati Club. Gogoi said that the day will always be regarded as one of the historical day, because it is the birth day of Lakhminath Bezbaroa, because of whom the Assamese tribe and Assamese language is still alive.
Gogoi said, “We established the statue of Lakhminath Bezbaroa during our government, as, we the people of Assam will always remain grateful for his contribution towards the development of Assamese language, art and culture. Now, the young generation including all the people of Assam should be aware of the situation that we are heading towards. It has been seen that the Assamese identity as a whole is going to face a critical situation, because the government is going to implement the citizenship act amendment bill. So, it is high time to be together to come forward. Otherwise there is no doubt that we will have to go back to the situation where Assamese language and culture faced a critical situation. It is unfortunate for the people of Assam that the government who came into power by promising to safeguard the land, is going to sell everything just for the sake of establishing their power.”
Gogoi added, “Paying tribute is not enough. At this situation, we have to pay tribute to him by opposing to Citizenship Act Amendment Bill. I would like to request Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to wake up and I would also like to say to the central government that once the Assamese people come together for a purpose, it will be hard to control them.”