by Mayukh Goswami

Mangaldai : In a commendable move to recognize the untiring selfless contribution of an octogenarian social activist  in the field of conservation of the nature for not less than five decades and thus preserve his  rare work culture for future generation, Hazarikapara Sahitya Sabha in Darrang district  has published a book on the life and works of  Sarat Chandra Sarma  titled “ Jeevan Beekhsha”. Dr Ram Chandra Deka , the President of Darrang Zila Sahitya Sabha and an associate professor of Sipajhar college ceremonially released the book consisting of  more than one  hundred twenty pages with collection of several  articles of different writers of repute, achievements , news reports , photographs etc and edited by Kalyan Kumar Goswami , Secretary of the  literary body of Hazarikapara village .

In this connection a book release function was held in the residence of Sarat Chandra Sarma located at Simbhapara , Hazarikapara on Sunday afternoon with Rashmi Kanta Bonia ,  the President of Hazarikapara Sahitya Sabha in the chair In his book release speech Dr Deka  explained  why a full grown  tree  is compared to  the most  learned person  of a locality whose wisdom and quality proves to be helpful  for that society in any kind of trouble and underlined how the ‘Gurus’ in the ancient time of  teaching on the day of convocation used to bless their ‘Sishyas’ to become “Maheeruha’ that means a “Big Tree”. Dr Deka termed Sarat Chandra Sarma,, already recipient of  the title “ Briksha Mitra” from Hazarika Sahitya Sabha as a silent  “Green Crusader” who  has spent more than half of your life in nature conservation crossing the border of not only Assam but also India without any support from the government level . “ We all know how the global warming  due to large scale  deforestation has threatened  our world  and because of this  almost every country has set up a separate ministry for nature conservation and spending crores of rupees .But the way Sarat Chandra Sarma has been helping the country years after years without expecting anything  from the government is simply unbelievable .”, Dr Deka included .

 Speaking on the occasion ‘Brikhsha Mitra” Sarat Chandra Sarma, also  retired  teacher  while recalling  several of his experiences described how he always carries few green saplings with him wherever he travels and   the divine satisfaction over conservation of nature as well as  the deep pain he suffers  when he  sees a tree or a plant  being cut or damaged . “ 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 our Oxygen , providing food,  shelter and fuel to all of us . I plant saplings not for publicity or create any record . I plant them only for creation of a green future. “ , Sarma shared. Several  prominent veteran writers and academicians  including   Motideb Sarma Sashtri , Chandradhar Sarma Sashtri , Bhuban Chandra Sarma , Tarun Chandra Sarma and Dr Sachindra Saharia also spoke on occasion The function which began with the rendition of the ‘Sira Senehi Mor Bhasa Janani..” by the women members of ‘Akash” , a sister concern of the organizer literary body also featured recitation of self composed poem by young poet Pankita Kalita and read out of a self composed short story by Kamala  Saharia among others . In the beginning  Secretary Kalyan Kr Goswami outlined the purpose and significance of the function .