Sambalpur: A team of Assam officials visited the Sadhan Peetha and Residence of the Literature Poet Lakshminath Bezbaroa

Sambalpur: A team of Assam officials, who visited Sambalpur today, visited the Sadhan Peetha and residence of writer Lakshminath Bezbaroa at Kacheri Street. Manideepa Berkotoki, Additional Secretary of Assam Government’s Department of Culture and Director Meenakshi Das Nath, came to Sambalpur today after holding talks with departmental officials of Odisha Government in Bhubaneswar yesterday. Today in the afternoon, they were happy to see Lakshminath Bezbaroa, who is known as the founder of modern literature of Assam. They also saw the progress of the restoration work of the residence. Later, they met District Collector Ananya Das and discussed the inauguration of the sadhan peetha, the restoration of the residence and the library and other works to be done there.

There has been extensive discussion, especially in relation to its management. Later, they also held discussions with the members of Intacore who were working on the restoration work at the Circuit House. They also emphasized on providing the necessary additional funds after the issuance of the investment certificate. The delegation was received at Sambalpur Railway Station by Ormas Deputy CEO Shrimant Hota, District Culture Officer Deepak Kullu, Tardhana Panda of Intacore, Sambalpur, Dr. Bibhudatta Mishra, Surya Panigrahi of Bezbarao Memorial Committee. Sadar Upazilapal Prabhas Donsana, Sadar Additional Tehsildar Saroja Behera, Bezboroa Memorial Committee member Dr. Rajaram Shadangi and many Bezbarao lovers were present during the visit. It is worth mentioning that in 1917, Laxminath Bezbarao came to Sambalpur as an official of a company related to timber business. During his 20-year long stay here, he created 25 timeless literary works, while the people’s life and character of Sambalpur area have been covered in them.

He was also the councilor of Sambalpur Municipality for 10 years. During Jankiballab Patnaik visit to Sambalpur in 2010, the Governor of Assam, emphasized on developing the Sadanapith into a heritage site to preserve Bezbaraoa’s memory. After this, Bezbaraoa Memorial Committee started efforts in this direction. In 2018, Assam government gave Rs 50 lakh and Odisha government gave Rs 55 lakh. In the year 2019, Intacore, Odisha Branch started the renovation work of Sadhan Pith. Though belatedly, the restoration work was completed within a few months but could not be launched due to administrative problems.