From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI: Former professor of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Bijoy Krishna Deva Sharma, was on Monday honoured with the Anil Sharma Award for popularising scientific literature at the Assamese Science Literature Convention held as part of the 75th biennial session of Asam Sahitya Sabha in Sualkuchi.
In his speech, Deva Sharma expressed happiness over the Sahitya Sabha’s initiative to popularise science literature among the masses.
“It is due to lack of scientific mentality that our society is suffering from many superstitions,” he said.
Earlier, Shikshacharya Mahbubul Hoque, chancellor of University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM), inaugurated the Assamese Science Literature Convention at the Jyoti Kshetra.
The ‘Dr Jyotiprashad Medhi Memorial Asomiya Bigyan Sahitya Sanmilan’ was conducted by Balendra Kumar Das, an eminent poet and writer and was graced by the new Sabha president Kuladhar Saikia, Arup Kumar Misra, Director, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council, Dipak Sharma, Joydeep Baruah, Jayanta Kumar Goswami and Soumyadeep Dutta, among others.
Hoque, who is also the chairman ERD Foundation Guwahati, said, “I am really grateful to Asam Sahitya Sabha for appreciating and recognising our continuous effort to contribute to the educational development of the region. I also welcome Sabha for its incessant work towards enriching language and literature and extend all kinds of support from USTM.”
He spoke on the role of science literature in inspiring and creating awareness in the minds of children and alike. “It is only through science literature that the superstitious beliefs and practices prevailing in our society can be erased,” he added.
Hoque said that USTM has initiated a directorate of Language and Cultural Studies, where Sabha will provide necessary inputs, expertise for various compilation and research.
As a heritage and communicative language, Assamese and other indigenous languages of Assam will be taught. He said USTM would also promote and support the creation of a language museum under the guidance of Sabha.
Kuladhar Saikia, the new president of the Sabha, in his address, emphasised on the importance of popularising science literature among the children and society.