Majuli Friendship Day
Majuli Friendship Day was organised by Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva in Nagaon to create awareness about the wealth and issues of Majuli. The programme started with plantation of sapling in ADP College premises by Padmashree Jadav Payeng with co-operation of ADP College Teachers Council.
Tree plantation by Jadav Payeng in ADP College
The people gathered on the occasion took an oath “I take a vow to do my best to preserve the ecology. I will plant at least one sapling every year in my premises.” It was administered by Jadav Payeng. Then the main event started in Nagaon Natya Mandir. An Art competition & Photography Exhibition was held there on the theme 'Majuli'.
Dr Kandarpa Kumar Deka, VC, MSSV formally inaugurated the event. He was assisted by Nalini Bora of Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha and others. Dr Deka said that plantation of trees and taking proper scientific measures was necessary to address the problem of erosion faced by river island Majuli.
Welcome address was delivered by Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti, President, Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva. He hoped that the event would evolve cost-effective ways to arrest erosion in Majuli. He said that Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva had been working to promote and preserve Majuli as it is a nerve-centre of Sankari culture.
Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti's welcome address
A Bargeet was rendered by Madhab Krishna Das, artist of Doordarshan Kendra, Dibrugarh and music director of proposed tele-serial on Sankaradeva.
Presentation was given by Dr Rajan Vaidhya, Deptt of Visual Arts, Assam University, Silchar. He said that Vaisnavism progressively paved the strong roots of cultural heritage and socio-religious reformations in Majuli through the various Sattras and Vaisnavite monasteries, spread all around the island. He said that Sattriya architecture developed its own symbolism and opened a threshold to various arts including wood carving. Moreover the spacious Namghar or prayer hall provided the large space to fabricate the work wood carvings the eastern portion of the hall is decorated with the splendid Simhasana (lion-throne) to enshrine the image of Lord Krishna or the Holy Vaisnavite scriptures, the Simhasana itself is an inspiring object of art composed with three to nine levels of stages.
It was followed by performance of Gayan-Bayan by the artists of Rangalaya, Puranigudam.
Then Janardan Goswami, Sattradhikar, Uttar Kamalabari Sattra, Majuli spoke about the world heritage issue. He lamented the lack of interest of Govt of Assam in this issue.
It was followed by a presentation by Shantanoo Bhattacharyya, Engineer, Govt of Assam. He showed how Vetiver grass could arrest erosion. He attributed the Mass failures of Majuli to the following reasons :
Root system increases drainage and permeability which results in a decrease of excess pore pressures
The root system increases soil shear strength via apparent cohesion and therefore the probability of the occurrence of a landslide is reduced
The tensile strength of the roots hinder crack forming
The tensile strength of the roots hinder pushing off of aggregates of soil
Shantanoo Bhattacharyya also gave ideas about how to solve these issues :
Eco-engineering with engineering innovation is the key to survival.
Rather than application of proprietary solution, community based solution be developed for sustenance.
Thiyanam by Artists of Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha regaled the audience. It was followed by a speech by Dr Arun Sarma, President of Majuli Island Protection and Development Council. He also spoke about the world heritage issue. He said “The cause of protecting and developing Majuli is the closest thing to my heart”. But he regretted about the slow pace at which the Brahmaputra Board of the central government was preparing the action plan. It should be done scientifically to preserve and protect Majuli, he said, It may be just too late to save the island from total destruction, he noted.
Felicitation of Padmashree Jadav Payeng by Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti was the highlight of the event. A citation was presented to him. A powerpoint presentation was also shown on his life. Payeng spoke about his works. Payeng said about the begining of his journey “The snakes died in the heat, without any tree cover. I sat down and wept over their lifeless forms,” He said, “It was carnage. I alerted the forest department and asked them if they could grow trees there. They said nothing would grow there. Instead, they asked me to try growing bamboo. It was painful, but I did it. There was nobody to help me,” He also said Education from the grassroots level is the key to conserve the nature and lower down the impact of climate change.
Sattriya Nritya was performed by Meenakshi Medhi, a National Award winner. She performed an item based on Ajamil Upakhyan.
Prize distribution took place next. Prizes were given away by by Pradip Hazarika, Co-ordinator, Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Then a Bargeet was sung by Ranjan Bezbarua, Nagaon. He sung an original Bargeet as well as in Sanskrit edition.
It was followed by a presentation by Prof Prashanta Kr Bordoloi, Director of Kaziranga University. He said ‘The clean up of the Brahmaputra is crucial from Sadiya, in upper Assam to Dhuburi by dredging and watershed management. The geo mattresses in the vulnerable stresses will extend Majuli’s longevity. Massive plantation of trees is a must for protecting the banks of the river.
Next came the presentation by Dr Binoy Bordoloi, Director, Assam Foundation of North America, USA. He showed photos of a tree plantation programme in USA in honour of Jadav Payeng.
Dihanam by Artists of Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha was another interesting cultural item.
Speech by Prof Dilip Kr. Medhi, Expert of Archaeological Anthropology, Retd Prof of GU was the next item. He said “Government attitude has, over the years, resulted in the destruction of many places of cultural heritage. And it seems that history will be repeated in Majuli. But the people of Majuli have put up a united front to save this river island."
It was followed Folk Song by Madhab Krishna Das, Doordarshan Kendra, Dibrugarh. Then Rituraj Phukan, Climate Foundation spoke about birds of Majuli. He showed a powerpoint presentation on birds of Majuli.
Sahidur Rahman Khan, Journalist, Dhubri was felicitated for his ardent work. He has been working to promote the legacy of Sankaradeva and an ardent admirer of Society.
Lastly Vote of Thanks was given by Mridu Moucham Bora, Secretary, Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva.
The people gathered on the occasion took an oath “I take a vow to do my best to preserve the ecology. I will plant at least one sapling every year in my premises.” It was administered by Jadav Payeng. Then the main event started in Nagaon Natya Mandir. An Art competition & Photography Exhibition was held there on the theme 'Majuli'.
Dr Kandarpa Kumar Deka, VC, MSSV formally inaugurated the event. He was assisted by Nalini Bora of Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha and others. Dr Deka said that plantation of trees and taking proper scientific measures was necessary to address the problem of erosion faced by river island Majuli.
Welcome address was delivered by Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti, President, Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva. He hoped that the event would evolve cost-effective ways to arrest erosion in Majuli. He said that Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva had been working to promote and preserve Majuli as it is a nerve-centre of Sankari culture.
A Bargeet was rendered by Madhab Krishna Das, artist of Doordarshan Kendra, Dibrugarh and music director of proposed tele-serial on Sankaradeva.
Presentation was given by Dr Rajan Vaidhya, Deptt of Visual Arts, Assam University, Silchar. He said that Vaisnavism progressively paved the strong roots of cultural heritage and socio-religious reformations in Majuli through the various Sattras and Vaisnavite monasteries, spread all around the island. He said that Sattriya architecture developed its own symbolism and opened a threshold to various arts including wood carving. Moreover the spacious Namghar or prayer hall provided the large space to fabricate the work wood carvings the eastern portion of the hall is decorated with the splendid Simhasana (lion-throne) to enshrine the image of Lord Krishna or the Holy Vaisnavite scriptures, the Simhasana itself is an inspiring object of art composed with three to nine levels of stages.
It was followed by performance of Gayan-Bayan by the artists of Rangalaya, Puranigudam.
Then Janardan Goswami, Sattradhikar, Uttar Kamalabari Sattra, Majuli spoke about the world heritage issue. He lamented the lack of interest of Govt of Assam in this issue.
It was followed by a presentation by Shantanoo Bhattacharyya, Engineer, Govt of Assam. He showed how Vetiver grass could arrest erosion. He attributed the Mass failures of Majuli to the following reasons :
Root system increases drainage and permeability which results in a decrease of excess pore pressures
The root system increases soil shear strength via apparent cohesion and therefore the probability of the occurrence of a landslide is reduced
The tensile strength of the roots hinder crack forming
The tensile strength of the roots hinder pushing off of aggregates of soil
Shantanoo Bhattacharyya also gave ideas about how to solve these issues :
Eco-engineering with engineering innovation is the key to survival.
Rather than application of proprietary solution, community based solution be developed for sustenance.
Thiyanam by Artists of Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha regaled the audience. It was followed by a speech by Dr Arun Sarma, President of Majuli Island Protection and Development Council. He also spoke about the world heritage issue. He said “The cause of protecting and developing Majuli is the closest thing to my heart”. But he regretted about the slow pace at which the Brahmaputra Board of the central government was preparing the action plan. It should be done scientifically to preserve and protect Majuli, he said, It may be just too late to save the island from total destruction, he noted.
Felicitation of Padmashree Jadav Payeng by Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti was the highlight of the event. A citation was presented to him. A powerpoint presentation was also shown on his life. Payeng spoke about his works. Payeng said about the begining of his journey “The snakes died in the heat, without any tree cover. I sat down and wept over their lifeless forms,” He said, “It was carnage. I alerted the forest department and asked them if they could grow trees there. They said nothing would grow there. Instead, they asked me to try growing bamboo. It was painful, but I did it. There was nobody to help me,” He also said Education from the grassroots level is the key to conserve the nature and lower down the impact of climate change.
Sattriya Nritya was performed by Meenakshi Medhi, a National Award winner. She performed an item based on Ajamil Upakhyan.
Prize distribution took place next. Prizes were given away by by Pradip Hazarika, Co-ordinator, Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Then a Bargeet was sung by Ranjan Bezbarua, Nagaon. He sung an original Bargeet as well as in Sanskrit edition.
It was followed by a presentation by Prof Prashanta Kr Bordoloi, Director of Kaziranga University. He said ‘The clean up of the Brahmaputra is crucial from Sadiya, in upper Assam to Dhuburi by dredging and watershed management. The geo mattresses in the vulnerable stresses will extend Majuli’s longevity. Massive plantation of trees is a must for protecting the banks of the river.
Next came the presentation by Dr Binoy Bordoloi, Director, Assam Foundation of North America, USA. He showed photos of a tree plantation programme in USA in honour of Jadav Payeng.
Dihanam by Artists of Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha was another interesting cultural item.
Speech by Prof Dilip Kr. Medhi, Expert of Archaeological Anthropology, Retd Prof of GU was the next item. He said “Government attitude has, over the years, resulted in the destruction of many places of cultural heritage. And it seems that history will be repeated in Majuli. But the people of Majuli have put up a united front to save this river island."
It was followed Folk Song by Madhab Krishna Das, Doordarshan Kendra, Dibrugarh. Then Rituraj Phukan, Climate Foundation spoke about birds of Majuli. He showed a powerpoint presentation on birds of Majuli.
Sahidur Rahman Khan, Journalist, Dhubri was felicitated for his ardent work. He has been working to promote the legacy of Sankaradeva and an ardent admirer of Society.
Lastly Vote of Thanks was given by Mridu Moucham Bora, Secretary, Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva.
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It was an honour to participate in this great initiative.
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