Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday presented Kalicharan Brahma Award 2018 to eminent Satriya culture exponent Harekrishna Mahanta at a function held at Udalguri.
The award carries a commendation, gamocha, angabastra and a cheque of Rs. 3 lakh.
Speaking at the event, chief minister Sonowal said that few great men have been contributing since ages to the humanitarian, spiritual, cultural and intellectual enrichment of the people.
“Kalicharan Brahma was one such great personality who contributed immensely to the development of the Bodo people as well as people belonging to other community. Therefore, Kalicharan Brahma remains relevant even in the age of 21st century,” he said.
Chief minister Sonowal also said that there is a need to study this great man even today so that the younger generation get to know about him.
Sonowal further said that the Satriya culture exponent Mahanta like Kalicharan Brahma faced immense encumbrances in life and became so important that he became an ideal personality in our society.
“At the age of 95, the manner in which Mahanta roamed around the entire Assam and worked for the educational and cultural development of the society is something very remarkable,” Sonowal said.
He said that the achievement of Mahanta will be a source of inspiration to the people.
The chief minister said that BTAD has become an example to everybody for its good performance.
“Once infamous for all the wrong reasons, BTAD has now curved a niche as one of the best performing areas of the country,” he said.
Expressing his gratitude awardee Mahanta said that the manner in which the present State government has been showing its respect to spiritually and culturally enriched persons, God will ever shower its blessing on the government so that it (government) keeps working for the welfare of all sections of the people of the state.