Book released on life and works of 'Briksha Mitra' Sarat Chandra Sarma

Our Correspondent

Mangaldai: Octogenarian social activist Sarat Chandra Sarma of Hazarikapara area in Darrang district, who has been dedicating his life to the conservation of nature in a unique way since the last five decades, finally got his life and works penned in the form of a book that contains 125 pages.

Besides his biography, a number of write-ups by different writers of repute, his achievements, news reports published in different dailies and weeklies and photographs have enriched the book. It will definitely remain as a source of inspiration and motivation for the younger generation.

Hazarikapara Xahitya Xabha has published the book Jeevan Beeksha, edited by Kalyan Kumar Goswami, secretary of the Hazarikapara Xahitya Xabha. Sarat Chandra Sarma has been planting various saplings on the roadside, on the bank of village ponds and in other suitable places, only to make the district an evergreen district. He has been spending a reasonable amount of his money without depending on other sources.

In the book release function organized at his residence at Simbhapara in the Hazarikapara area on Sunday afternoon, presided over by president of Hazarikapara Xahitya Xabha, Rashmi Kanta Bania, president of Darrang Zila Xahitya Xabha, Dr. Ram Chandra Deka ceremonially released it and explained the significance of the rare life and works of Sarat Chandra Sarma. Dr Deka termed Sarat Chandra Sarma, who has already been conferred the title 'Briksha Mitra' by Hazarika Xahitya Xabha, as a silent 'Green Crusader' for dedicating more than half of his lifetime in nature conservation without any support from the government.

Addressing the function, Sarat Chandra Sarma, who retired as a teacher, while recalling his experience in planting trees, said, "A man can do harm to us but a tree never harms us. A tree is our best friend in all circumstances, be it supplying oxygen, providing food, shelter and fuel to all of us. I plant saplings not for publicity or to create any record. I plant them only for creation of a green future."

Several prominent veteran writers and academicians, including Motideb Sarma Sashtri, Chandra Dhar Sarma Sashtri, Bhuban Chandra Sarma and Tarun Chandra Sarma also addressed the function. The function began with the song Sira Senehi Mor Bhasa Janani presented by the female members of Akash- a sister concern of the organizing literary body.

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