Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity (http://sadouasomlekhikasamarohsamity.org/) :
The Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity is a voluntary women’s literary organisation. It was founded on the eve of international women’s year i.e. in November, 1974 and had the acclaimed writer Padmashree Dr. Sheela Borthakur as its president. Since inception, the organisation has undertaken and successfully completed many constructive works contributing immensely to the social and cultural life of the state. It has also made a significant contribution to the realm of Assamese literature by publishing an impressive corpus of books. The organisation has made a sincere attempt to give due recognition to the contribution of those women writers who enriched our society. Apart from acting as a platform for budding literary talents among the women of Assam is also playing the role of an interface between the established and emerging women writers. At present, the organisation has 360 branches spread all over Assam including the 5 branches beyond the boundary of the state. For few years Dr. Sheela Borthakur was the president of the organisation. History Women of Assam have been playing a significant role in enriching the social life. Their contribution towards the development of literature and culture is remarkable. Numerous songs and other artifacts expressing the different colours of life including the hopes and aspirations of the ordinary life bear testimony to the latent treasure of creative potentials of the women. It is a well known truth that, literature is one of the best means to achieve the goals and inculcating the values which are held dear in the life of any progressive human society. Therefore, it is rightly believed that it is only in their hand which will empower and enable the women to present their own mind to society. It is true that the pen is the strongest tool of empowerment. It is a very disappointing fact that, a lot of women writers have never received the recognition which they deserved. Most of them have dwindled into the oblivion in absence of due recognition. Even today there are a lot of hidden talents who are desperately waiting for an opportunity, a conducive ambience and more importantly for some support. The Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity serves as common platform for almost all the women of Assam providing them with necessary support as well as appropriate opportunities for their intellectual and cultural development. It serves two purposes. On the one hand, it will help them in achieving an establishment by providing them with the much needed support for cultural and intellectual development. On the other hand it will also encourage them to contribute to national life by enriching the realm of education and literature. The objectives of the organization are as follows: i) To empower women through education and culture and thereby strengthen their self respect. ii) To develop self expression through creative work and contribute positively to Assamese language, literature and culture. iii) To publish and preserve valuable books written by women writers. iv)To preserve and enrich the rich cultural heritage of the country. With these noble ideals, the organisation united the women of Assam. The organisation is registered under the societies Registration act. and its Registration No. is 64. Its head office is situated at Tezpur with a library and an auditorium. The organisation has a network of more than 360 branches spread all over Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, West Bengal, Mumbai, Haryana and New Delhi. The different branches carry on various constructive and meaningful activities regularly. The organisation is a non political, social and literary women’s organisation with constitution of its own. The central body and the various branches carry on various activities according to its constitution. The Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity was established on 2nd November, 1974, by the proposal forwared by Dr. Sheela Borthakur in a women’s meeting which was arranged by Tezpur Zila Mahila Silpa Samity and presided over by Smti Saraswati Das. The committee that was formed was as follows - President - Dr. Sheela Borthakur (Padmashree awarded) Joint Secretary - Smti Purabi Bormudoi (Tamuli) Dr. Swadhinata Mahanta Members - Late Suprava Dutta Late Swarnalata Hazarika Late Punya Prava Rajkhowa Late Charu Devi Late Sashi Prava Das Late Padma Agarwala Sri Pramila Baruah Sri Mrinali Chetia Sri Kiran Baruah Sri Padumi Das Sri Sabitri Agarwala Sri Sura Barpujari Sri Phul Bhuyan Sri Raina Borthakur As a result of this, the 1st convention of Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity was held in Hem Baruah Memorial Hall at Tezpur on 4th and 5th January, 1975. The glorious journey of Lekhika Samaroh Samity started from this convention. Many renowned educationists and noted literateurs like Padmashree Nalini Bala Devi, Ananda Ch. Baruah, Atul Ch. Hazarika, Mitra Dev Mahanta, Dr. Maheswar Neog, Syed Abdul Malik sent their messages to express their best wishes for the successful completion of the convention. Late Indira Miri presided over the open session of the convention. On 5th January 1975 Late Rasheswari Khataniar was felicitated in the same convention. The renowned and famous women writers who participated in the convention were Smti Arati Saikia, Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Dr. Lakshahira Das and many more. The 1st edition of the Journal "Lekhika", which was edited by Smti Purabi Bormudoi (Tamuli), was inaugurated by Dr. Lakshahira Das. This is the first formally recognized organisation of women writers in Assam.Women writers coming from various parts of Assam halted Tezpur as the sole pioneer of this unique noble mission and wished it a long life. Publications One of the major activities of the organisation is to encourage writers as well as to publish valuable books. The organisation has a mouthpiece of its own named "Lekhika". Some of the other publications are mentioned below. 1) Lekhikar Jiwani, Vol.-I, II, III and IV, Biography of women writers of Assam. Since 16th centrury till date. It is a very valuable chronicle. 2) Complete works of Padmashree Nalini Bala Devi. 3) Complete works of Kavya Bharati Dharmeswari Devi Baruani. 4) Sneha Devi Ranchana Sambhar. 5) Luit Parar Asomiya Swedhinata Sangramir Jiwan Gatha (Biography of women Freedom Fighters of Assam). Vol. I 6) Padmashree Puspalatar Chintar Rengani. Collection of works of Padmabhusan Puspalata Das. 7) Bandita Kalalaya 8) Mahasweta 9) Lekhikar Grantha Panji 10) Ruptirtha 11) Argha : Biography of women artists of Assam. Vol. I 12) Dr. Nirmal Prava Bordoloi’s songs and poems. 13) Unmilan : Critical Analysis of its mouth piece since inception. 14) Subhashita Chanda : Collection of Assamese Poems. 15) Drishadwati : Translation of Assamese Poems in to Bengali. 16) Asomiya Sahityat Nari : Women in Assamese Literature. 17) Sahityat Muktir Chetana. 18) Borma Tomak : Collection of modern Assamese short stories. 19) Golpa Tarang : Collection of modern Assamese short stories. 20) Satabdir Sadhu : Collection of modern Assamese short stories. 21) Ritu Manjari : Collection of modern Assamese short stories. 22) Satabdir Sadhu: Collection of short stories of 20th century written by women writers. 23) Hastakhar : Translation of a novel of Amrita Pritam. 24) Desh Bideshar Golpa : Translation of short stories. 25) Prabandha Malancha : Collection of literary criticism. 26) Ritu Manjari : Modern Assamese short stories. 27) Children literature : Panir Deshat Tutumoni i) Mona Bharai Rang Anisho, ii) Junakir pohar, iii) Aitai Sadhu Koy. Apart from the publications of Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samiti, most of the branches publish their mouth pieces and many valuable books which enrich Assamese literature with short stories, poems, novels, children, literature and literary criticism. Other activities: i) Conference : Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samiti holds its biennial conference in different places where thousands of delegates assemble together to share their views and experiences. On that occasion an executive committee with the office bearers is elected by its delegates. During the 3 days conference various functions such as Book Fair, Symposium, poetess conference, open session cultural procession and many other programes are held. In every conference, eminent writers from outside Assam grace the open session as Chief Guests. ii) Installation of statues of eminent women writers at Guwahati and Tezpur is a part of our mission to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Assam. The statue of Nalini Bala Devi, Kavya Bharati Dharmeswari Devi Baruani and Dr. Nirmal Prova Bordoloi are already installed in front of the head office at Tezpur.Another statue of Padmashree Nalini Bala Devi was installed at Paltan Bazar in Guwahati in 1981. The organisation has completed glorious thirty six years to its credit. It promises to fulfill its cherished ideals with the selfless sacrifice and tremendous contribution made by thousands of members. Address : Head Office - Tezpur Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity Swahid Chariali Padum Pukhuripar Tezpur - 784001 Sonitpur, Assam (India) Contact person : Dr. Charu Sahatia Nath (General Secretary) Principal - Tezpur College Tezpur - 784001 Sonitpur, Assam (India) Website : http://sadouasomlekhikasamarohsamity.org/ E-mail : sa...@in.com _______________________________________________ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
