'Must realize true meaning of harmony and translate it into reality', says Sahitya Akademi award winning Assamese litterateur Yache Dorje Thongchi

A Correspondent

DOOMDOOMA: Sahitya Akademi award winning Assamese litterateur of Arunachal Pradesh, Yache Dorje Thongchi received the Badousha Harmony Award. The award was presented to him by the All Moran Students' Union (AMSU) at Shri Shri Vishnubhuj Samannay Kshetra, Dorjijan public playground, Kordoiguri, about 18 km away from here on Sunday.

The award consists of a citation, a memento and cash Rs 1 lakh. In his acceptance speech, Y D Thongchi revealed that he had created a fund out of the royalty he received from the publishers against sale of his books and offered financial assistance under the banner of Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society to individuals in need of assistance on medical ground or some other purposes. This amount of Rs 1 lakh would also be deposited in the fund, he said. He was full of praise for sculptor Biren Singha who designed and created the memento of the award.

Thongchi lamented that unlike the north-eastern States, the ill effects of the caste system prevailed in the rest of the country. The sense of harmony prevailed in greater Assam because of the teachings of great Vaishnavite saints like Sri Sri Shankardev and Madhabdev. Elaborating the meaning of harmony, he said that great personalities like Dr Bhupen Hazarika expanded its meaning to a wider horizon through various forms like cinema, books, songs and dances and so their creations could transcend national boundaries to make an impact in the international arena.

"We must therefore, realize the true meaning of harmony and translate it into reality so that all ethnic groups enjoy equality under the existing political system," he added. "Here in the Northeast, we know how to respect each other. Many forces tried to destroy it. But their attempt failed," he said.

Besides the Badousha Harmony award, the Sahid Binanda Moran Satirtha Award was offered to Sailaraj Moran. This award also carried a citation, a memento and cash amount of Rs 10,000. The meeting, which was presided over by AMSU president Arunjyoti Moran, was inaugurated by Dipen Moran, former president of Assam Moran Sabha. Earlier in the day, a colourful cultural procession was taken out where Y D Thongchi also took part. A souvenir published on the occasion, Gandhoi was released by journalist Dhiren Deka.

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