Tezpur: The 118th birth anniversary of freedom fighter, philanthropist and social worker Prasad Singh Subba, popularly known as the “Gorkha Gandhi,” was observed here on Thursday with a day-long programme organised by Chintan Manch of Chanmari in collaboration with his family. The observance began at 5:20 a.m. with a padayatra from Chanmari’s Netra Milan Bhawan, proceeding via the railway gate before returning to the venue. The march was flagged off by litterateur Kharga Bahadur Kaushik after an opening recitation of verses from the Bhagavad Gita by Chandramani Upadhyay, a member of the Sahitya Akademi’s Nepali Language Advisory Committee.
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The evening session, held from 4 p.m. and coordinated by Chintan Mancha secretary Jharna Mishra Bhattarai, opened with a Ganesh Vandana by Mokshada Devi, followed by a welcome address from Chintan Mancha advisor and Sahitya Akademi translation award recipient Gyan Bahadur Chhetri. Attendees then paid tribute before a portrait of Subba with lamp-lighting, garlanding and floral offerings. Tezpur MLA Prithiraj Rava attended as chief guest, while playwright and actor Bhupen Sharma delivered the keynote address, dwelling on Subba’s life, ideals, social service and role in the freedom struggle. Tributes were also offered by Subba’s family members and representatives of organisations including the Asam Nepali Sahitya Sabha, Hari Har Dham Unnayan Samiti, Nikhil Assam Gorkha Parisangha and Seva Sadhana Sanstha.
A musical tribute featuring a song by singer Zubeen was performed by Subba’s granddaughter-in-law Bishnu Devi and artist Jibon Domai. Chhatraman Subba, president of the Prasad Singh Subba Academy, also addressed the gathering, as did Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar recipient Anjan Baskota, who spoke on ways to keep Subba’s legacy alive for future generations. An open quiz on Subba’s life and work, conducted by Chintan Mancha vice-president Subhas Adhikari and joint secretary Nirmal Bihangam Nirola, saw prizes arranged by Chintan Mancha president Dr. Sarita Sharma distributed to winning participants. Speaking on behalf of the family, Drishti Subba shared reflections on various aspects of her forefather’s life. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Jharna Mishra Bhattarai.The event was widely regarded as a meaningful effort to carry forward Subba’s philosophy and legacy among the younger generation.
