Welcome address by Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti in Majuli Friendship Day

Majuli Friendship Day was celebrated by Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, a global organisation engaged in promoting the legacy of Srimanta Sankaradeva on January 3 in Nagaon. Padmashree Jadav Payeng was felicitated in the event for his immense contribution to ecological restoration works.  He also planted tree in ADP College premises in the morning. The participants took a pledge “I take a vow to do my best to preserve the ecology. I will plant at least one sapling every year in my premises.”

Dr Kandarpa Kumar Deka, Vice Chancellor of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya inaugurated the main programme in Nagaon Natya Mandir. Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti, President of Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva welcomed the participants and hoped the deliberations would help in exploring inexpensive ways to arrest erosion in Majuli.

The scholars participating in the event were Shantanoo Bhattacharyya, Dr Prashanta Bordoloi, Rituraj Phukan, Dr Arun Sarma, Dr Dilip Medhi, Dr Rajan Vaidhya. Sattradhikar Janardan Goswami and Dr Binoy Kr Bordoloi from USA also participated. Dr Prashanta Bordoloi spoke on Soft Engineering approach for managing river erosion. Shantanoo Bhattacharyya talked about use of Vetiver grass in arresting erosion. Rituraj Phukan showed slides of birds in Majuli. Dr Rajan Vaidhya showed slides about Majuli's culture. Dr Dilip Medhi, Dr Arun Sarma and Janardan Goswami talked about World Heritage issue. Dr Binoy Kr Bordoloi spoke about how Assamese diaspora in USA planted trees in honour of Jadav Payeng.

There was Sattriya Nritya recital by national award winning artist Meenakshi Medhi. Madhab Krishna Das from Dibrugarh performed Bargeet and folk-song. Ranjan Bezbarua from Nagaon performed Bargeet. Artists of Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha performed Diha-Naam and Thiya-naam. Artists from Rangalaya, Puranigudam performed Gayan-Bayan.

An exhibition of Aharya used in Bhaona was held during the Majuli Friendship Day. These included Mask, Costume, Headgear, Ornaments and different accessories used in Bhaona. These products were prepared by the members of Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva in a workshop conducted by it in 2014 under the sponsorship of Sangeet Natak Akademi. A Photo Exhibition also was held where different facets of Majuli were displayed through photographs. Simultaneously an Art competition was organised for students on the theme of ‘Majuli’.