From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday announced that the prestigious Asom Ratna would be conferred upon eminent literateur Indira (Mamoni) Raisom Goswami posthumously.
He made this announcement at a function organised by South East Asia Ramayani Research Centre with support from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs to mark the birth anniversary of the novelist who died on November 29 last year.
Addressing the function, as a chief guest, Chief Minister Gogoi also announced that an award would be instituted after the Jnanpith awardee Mamoni Raisom Goswami soon.
Gogoi said that Mamoni Raisom Goswami would be remembered by posterity for her outstanding contribution in the fields of literature, art and culture and social sphere.
She espoused the cause of the oppressed and the subjugated and fought for them. “She was the voice of the oppressed and the subjugated and worked for their welfare,” he said.
He said the writer faced the trials and tribulations of life boldly and emerged stronger. “One can achieve one’s goals in life only by facing the vicissitudes in life and Mamoni Raisom Goswami showed the way,” he said.
Gogoi said, “She was deeply concerned for the underprivileged segments of the society and contributed in no small measure towards their betterment.”
Recalling her contribution in the literary firmament, Gogoi said, “Her contribution has enriched Assamese literature. She was deeply immersed in the study of the The Ramayana and contributed her might towards its propagation,” he added.
The Chief Minister while lauding the commendable work of South East Asia Ramayani Research Centre, the pet project of the eminent litterateur, said the government would extend all possible help and support so that ‘it grows into a people’s institute in the near future’.
Gogoi released the eminent litterateur’s last book ‘Saharsra Bahu’, a compilation of seven articles and four poems, brought out by Asom Book Trust on the occasion.
Working president, South East Asia Ramayani Research Centre, Sabita Sharma dwelt at length on the initiatives taken up by the Centre to propagate Ramayani studies in which Mamoni Raisom Goswami was deeply immersed.
Sarma said the Centre, a dream project of Mamoni Raisom Goswami, had become a treasure-trove for scholars of Ramayani studies.
She said the Centre was taking up a slew of initiatives such as converting Mamoni Raisom Goswami’s house into a museum; translating her anthology into prose; bringing out at least two books on Ramayani studies in a year and translating the Burmese Ramayani, the tribal Ramayani and ankiya nat into different languages.
