Preserving the legacy of Sahityarathi Laxminath Bezbarua

Work begins to renovate and preserve Bezbarua's living house in Odisha

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: There is reason to rejoice as renovation and conservation work in the living house of Sahityarathi Laxminath Bezbarua started on Tuesday at Odisha's Sambalpur.

The literary stalwart had two houses in Sambalpur – a Sadhana Griha (reading room) and a living house. For years, both houses were lying in a neglected state. Various organizations – of Assam and Odisha– urged for steps to conserve the two houses. Finally, during the rule of the Sarbananda Sonowal government, initiative was taken for the renovation and preservation of both houses. Intach (Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage) prepared a detailed project report (DPR) and proposed a Rs 2-crore project for this. The Government of Assam allotted Rs 50 lakh for the renovation and conservation of the houses and the Odisha government allotted Rs 55 lakh. Renovation work of the Sadhana Griha has been completed and now, renovation of the living house started on Tuesday.

At a simple function, Baikuntha Panigrahi, co-convenor of Intach, Odisha chapter, inaugurated the renovation work. Mallika Mitra, head of conservation, Intach Odisha, Prof. Tarini Prasad Panda, convenor, Intach Sambalpur chapter, Dr. Santosh Dash and Dipak Kumar Panda were present. The living house will be an activity centre after completion of the conservation work in the house. The renovation work of the living house is expected to be completed within a year.

Sadhana Griha, the house where the stalwart used to write, has been handed over to the Cultural Department, Government of Odisha. Photos and the life journey of Bezbarua are displayed there along with a small library.

Talking to The Sentinel, Sahityarathi Laxminath Bezbarua Smriti Raksha Samiti general secretary Rantu Deka said, "We urge the Assam Government to talk to the Odisha government so that the Sadhana Griha is inaugurate soon. People of Assam and Sambalpur are waiting eagerly for this."

Laxminath Bezbarua resided in Sambalpur for 20 years from the year 1917 to 1937 and in the year 1924 he built two houses in the city.

Also Read:  Assam Govt Allots Rs 80 Lakh For Restoration of Laxminath Bezbaruah's Residence In Odisha

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