Award instituted to honour Sankari scholars

GUWAHATI, Oct 8 – Srimanta Sankardev Antarjatik Pratisthan, the international non-religious body founded in the year 1998 by renowned story-writer Arnab Jan Deka, has decided to institute an annual award of rupees 50,000 each in the style of “Sankardev International foundation Award” which would be conferred upon two eminent Sankari scholars who played significant roles in propagating the teachings of the legendary cultural entity Srimanta Sankardev outside Asom, in the line of the aims and objectives of the international non-religious body. This was stated in a press release.
Renowned Assamese story-writer and all-India award winner engineer Arnab Jan Deka, whose one hour documentary film on Srimanta Sankardev made in the year 1996 screened all over the world including USA, Canada and Europe, made the contributions of the genius familiar to the world community, announced to donate the required money for the purpose of Award.
Earlier, the general body meeting of the organisation held under the presidentship of renowned Sankari scholar and linguist Prof Bisweswar Hazarika, reconstituted the executive body with Prof Bisweswar Hazarika as president and Arnab Jan Deka, as general secretary. The meeting also decided to organise an international seminar on Sankardev in Delhi where the Prime Minister will be invited.
Meanwhile the translation of the highly revered book of Srimanta Sankardev the Kirtan ghosa into English had been accompalished by the renowned Sankari scholar, literary pensioner, author and former Principal of Pragjyotish College Bhabananda Deka, after his untiring eight years long singular effort. The English translated version of “Kirtan Ghosa” would be published by the Srimanta Sankardev Antarjatik Pratisthan. Both the “Kirtan Ghosa” and “Katha Guru Charit” in English translated versions in book form published by the Antarjatik Pratisthan, shall be formally released in the proposed international seminar on Srimanta Sankardev.
Another English translated version of the other legendary divine book “Nam Ghosa” of Sri Sri Madhabdev translated by the Advocated General of Mizoram and member of the Pratisthan Pranabananda Pathak shall also be formally released together with the other books in the International Foundation Seminar to be held in Delhi under the hand of the Prime Minister of India.
It is pertinent to mention here that a grant-in-aid of Rupees one lakh in cash was received from the Discretionary Fund of the Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, in the year 1998 by the Antarjatik Pratisthan, wherein the Assembly Secretariat specifically nominated Arnab Jan Deka, as the chief editor for accomplishing the translation of “Katha Guru charit” into English for the international scholars. Accordingly, the Pratisthan formed an Editorial Board and the task has been accomplished. The said book will go into print very soon.
The general body meeting of the Pratisthan also proposed to organise a Borgeet-Satriya dance-Bhaona-Manuscript exhibition of Sankardev’s literary works in sachi-paat programme on the sidelines of the international seminar. The veteran artistes from Asom who have relentlessly practised these art-forms over the decades and earned recognition would be accommodated in the programmes.
The Pratisthan invites nominations of eminent Sankari scholars who considerably contributed towards propagating the name and fame of Srimanta Sankardev all over the world with proven track record for the award of the “Sankardev International foundation Award”. In the event of a tie, more than one person may be named as the awardees to share it.
The general public and admirers of Srimanta Sankardev can contribute towards fulfilling the above stated programmes. In this connection, a Savings Bank account no 1498 at Punjab & Sind Bank, Rajgarh Branch, Guwahati-781003, Assam, India, had been opened by Srimanta Sankardev Antarjatik Pratisthan. Interested persons may also personally contact with the Pratisthan’s general secretary at the address - 28, Balighar, Pub Sarania Hillside, Near LP School, PO Ulubari, Guwahati-781007, Assam, India. Phone : 0091 995 481 6628.

International Award for Sankardev Scholars

Award instituted to honour Sankari scholars

GUWAHATI, Oct 8 – Srimanta Sankardev Antarjatik Pratisthan, the international non-religious body founded in the year 1998 by renowned story-writer Arnab Jan Deka, has decided to institute an annual award of rupees 50,000 each in the style of “Sankardev International foundation Award” which would be conferred upon two eminent Sankari scholars who played significant roles in propagating the teachings of the legendary cultural entity Srimanta Sankardev outside Asom, in the line of the aims and objectives of the international non-religious body. This was stated in a press release.
Renowned Assamese story-writer and all-India award winner engineer Arnab Jan Deka, whose one hour documentary film on Srimanta Sankardev made in the year 1996 screened all over the world including USA, Canada and Europe, made the contributions of the genius familiar to the world community, announced to donate the required money for the purpose of Award.
Earlier, the general body meeting of the organisation held under the presidentship of renowned Sankari scholar and linguist Prof Bisweswar Hazarika, reconstituted the executive body with Prof Bisweswar Hazarika as president and Arnab Jan Deka, as general secretary. The meeting also decided to organise an international seminar on Sankardev in Delhi where the Prime Minister will be invited.
Meanwhile the translation of the highly revered book of Srimanta Sankardev the Kirtan ghosa into English had been accompalished by the renowned Sankari scholar, literary pensioner, author and former Principal of Pragjyotish College Bhabananda Deka, after his untiring eight years long singular effort. The English translated version of “Kirtan Ghosa” would be published by the Srimanta Sankardev Antarjatik Pratisthan.
Both the “Kirtan Ghosa” and “Katha Guru Charit” in English translated versions in book form published by the Antarjatik Pratisthan, shall be formally released in the proposed international seminar on Srimanta Sankardev.
Another English translated version of the other legendary divine book “Nam Ghosa” of Sri Sri Madhabdev translated by the Advocated General of Mizoram and member of the Pratisthan Pranabananda Pathak shall also be formally released together with the other books in the International Foundation Seminar to be held in Delhi under the hand of the Prime Minister of India.
It is pertinent to mention here that a grant-in-aid of Rupees one lakh in cash was received from the Discretionary Fund of the Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, in the year 1998 by the Antarjatik Pratisthan, wherein the Assembly Secretariat specifically nominated Arnab Jan Deka, as the chief editor for accomplishing the translation of “Katha Guru charit” into English for the international scholars. Accordingly, the Pratisthan formed an Editorial Board and the task has been accomplished. The said book will go into print very soon.
The general body meeting of the Pratisthan also proposed to organise a Borgeet-Satriya dance-Bhaona-Manuscript exhibition of Sankardev’s literary works in sachi-paat programme on the sidelines of the international seminar. The veteran artistes from Asom who have relentlessly practised these art-forms over the decades and earned recognition would be accommodated in the programmes.
The Pratisthan invites nominations of eminent Sankari scholars who considerably contributed towards propagating the name and fame of Srimanta Sankardev all over the world with proven track record for the award of the “Sankardev International foundation Award”. In the event of a tie, more than one person may be named as the awardees to share it.
The general public and admirers of Srimanta Sankardev can contribute towards fulfilling the above stated programmes. In this connection, a Savings Bank account no 1498 at Punjab & Sind Bank, Rajgarh Branch, Guwahati-3, had been opened by Srimanta Sankardev Antarjatik Pratisthan. Interested persons may also personally contact with the Pratisthan’s general secretary at the address - 28, Balighar, Pub Sarania Hillside, Near LP School, PO Ulubari, Guwahati-781007.

Principal Bhabananda Deka : An Extraordinarily Simple Scholar

Reputed Sankari Scholar & Economist-Litterateur

Principal Bhabananda Deka

left for his heavenly abode

With great sorrow and plentiful of grief I use this forum to inform one and all the concerned that the eminent Assamese Economist, great Sankari Scholar, reputed Educationist, First Assamese Senior Most Central Government Officer in India holding the responsibility of setting up the system for holding the All Indian level Civil Services Examinations through the UPSC, India, and one of the torch bearers of the famous Five who set up the Assamese Department in the Delhi University, and former Principal of Pragjyotish College in Guwahati, Teok Tamulichiga college in Janjhi, Bapujee college in Sarthebari, Hajo B Ed college as well as Sarukhetri Junior College--- Principal Bhabananda Deka left for his heavenly abode on the fourth of December, 2006, at around 9 30 am, at his permanent residence in Guwahati.He happened to be my father.

He died just after taking bath in cold water like every morning and doing his prayer after lighting the earthen lamp in front of the deity at home. He was 76.
It is amazing that both his Birth and Death weekdays and TITHIS (PURNIMA) ARE THE SAME.
His Adya Shraddha passed on 14th of December 2006.
Adya shraddha was excellent.I hurriedly published a 64 page biographical book on him with colour pages, and inaugurated it just after midday Naam Kirtan .

The Assam Legislative Assembly formally passed a Resolution mourning his death, and Chief Minister of Assam expresssed his grief through newspapers on his demise and Assam Sahitya Sabha also passed Resolution recognising his literary contributions.

It is pertinent to mention herein that my father had just few months before his death completed the English translation of KIRTAN GHOSA of Srimanta Sankardev, which had been specially mentioned by all newspapers as well as Television Channels , and Radio Stations in Assam.
He also authored more than 100 books and innumerable articles on Archaeology, Heritage, different Ethnic communities, Sankari Sahitya, Temples in Assam, Satra institutions, Dramas, Poetry, as well as first Assamese textbooks on Economics, Civics and Political Science. He also authored several English books including the last one on Srimanta Sankardev.

All prominent personalities of Assam attended the functions and repeatedly visited our residence, who includes--- Dr Mamoni Raisom goswami, Dr Hiren gohain, Dr Lakshminandan Bora, PRANTIK Editor Pradip Baruah, Assam Sahitya Sabha President Kanaksen Deka, Dr Sibanath Barman, Samir Tanti, Dr Satyendra Narayan goswami, Prof Bisweswar Hazarika, Prof Paban Kumar Baruah, Dilip Sarma, Dr Bhupen Hazarika's sister Sudakshina Sarma, Filmmaker Gauri Barman, ....as well as many Satradhikars including Sankardev Award Winner Narayan Chandra Goswami of Kamalabari Satra of Majuli.
The most surprising element of these religious activities is the unexpected visits of uninvited Head Priest of Kamakhya Temple, Moulavi of Masjid and other such religious gurus, who paid religious tributes and prayed before the alter mounted in honour of my father.
The Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly and other persons also paid glaring tributes to my father.
Now I am busy collecting money to the tune of Rs. 1,20,000/= (about $ 3000) to immediately publish my father's last major literary magnum opus ---the English Translation of Srimanta Sankardev's KIRTAN GHOSA, which he completed just a couple fo moths before his death. However, the unexpected financial constrains I faced because of the father's death as well as organisation of the Adya Shraddha in a befitting manner has somewhat made it look almost impossible to publish the big volume book of about 350 pages immediately. I am looking for generous sponsors, and please let me know if you find someone. You may also convey to such prospective persons that in the event of someone is interested not in sponsoring, but in lending that amount of $ 3000, to me immediately, I am even willing to commit to return the entire amount within the next one year.

As for the rest, now we are gradually getting over the trauma, and I am devoting lots of time in searching for all the unpublished manuscripts of my father, as well as those innumerable essays and articles, which are not yet compiled in book form. We have already formed a body naming it as PRINCIPAL BHABANANDA DEKA FOUNDATION, and its first offering ---the Biography of Principal Bhabananda Deka was already published and released in the AdyaShraddha.