By Preetam BC (PNI)

Kokrajhar : Eminent writer and Sahitya Akademi awardee Bidyasagar Narzary was today conferred the 2nd Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma award.

Narzary was presented the award during the inaugural function of the two days birth-centenary seminar on Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma organised by the Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with Bodo Sahitya Sabha which begins from today at Kokrajhar Science College Auditorium in Kokrajhar.

The Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma award instituted by the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Trust carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 along with a citation, a memento, eri (endi) shawal, eri jacket and Boro traditional eri Aronai.

Former vice president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha Gopinath Borgoyary inaugurated the inaugural session of the seminar which was chaired by Bodo Sahitya Sabha president Taren Boro. Regional Secretary, Sahitya Academi Devendra Kumar Devash gave the welcome address while member of Bodo Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi Ajt Boro gave the keynote address.

Attending the programme, as guest of Honour, ex-president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha Dr Kameswar Brahma recall the contributions of Gurudev towards the social change and socio-economic development among the Bodo and other down trodden community. Dr Kameswar Brahma said said Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma had dedicated his whole life in working for social upliftment, development and social change. ‘Gurudev worked tirelessly for the renaissance among the society, he said.

A great social reformer Gurudev Kalicharan strongly opposed the plan and policy of the British government to attached the than Goalpara district in Assam with the then East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) and also strongly advocate the demand to retain Goalpara district with the state of Assam. Under the leadership of Gurudev Kalicharna Brahma, Golapara district Bodo Satra Sannmilan was form in 1919, Farmers Association was founded in 1923, a Weaving Centre was setup in 1925 at Tipkai, Village development committee was form in 1925, Boro Mahila Sanmilan was formed in 1925 and ‘Boros Pandulipi’ was written in 1934 which were instrumental in social upliftment of the downtrodden Bodo community. He also submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission in Shillong in 1929 demanding Bodo regiment along with 11 points charter of demands and urged the Commission to take care for the protections of indigenous people, their socio-economic and education among others.

Various scholars attended the seminar programme and presented their papers.