Guwahati: Gauhati University has contributed Rs 25 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for flood-affected people in Assam.
A university delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta handed over the cheque to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Bhawan on Sunday.
The contribution came from one day’s salary donated by university teachers, along with contributions from non-teaching staff.
The university has also distributed relief materials among 500 families in Sivasagar and Charaideo. It has sent 5,000 educational kits to flood-affected areas.
Gauhati University has also launched an initiative to conserve handwritten Vaishnavite manuscripts damaged by the floods. A team of conservation experts and a scientific officer was sent to flood-affected satras to rescue and restore manuscripts written on sanchipat.
Some of the manuscripts date back to the early 18th century and were at risk of permanent damage from prolonged exposure to floodwater and fungal growth.
“Gauhati University is an institution rooted in Assam and its people. In times of distress, it is our responsibility to stand with the community in whatever way we can. Our contribution is modest, but it reflects the spirit of our entire University family. At the same time, we have a responsibility to protect Assam’s cultural heritage, which is also vulnerable during such disasters,” Mahanta said.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the Chief Minister on the university’s relief and manuscript conservation initiatives.
The delegation included Gauhati University Registrar Utpal Sarma, Gauhati University Teachers’ Association President Dwipen Bezbaruah, GUTA General Secretary Samir Sarkar and Academic Registrar Rajib Handique.
The Chief Minister appreciated the university community’s relief efforts and thanked the institution for supporting flood-affected people.
The delegation also briefed Sarma on preparations for the forthcoming visit of the Vice-President of India to Gauhati University. Sarma took note of the preparations and assured the university of necessary support for the visit.