Native village pays homage to Mamoni on 1st death anniversary

GUWAHATI: The state on Thursday observed the first death anniversary of eminent Assamese writer Indira Raisom Goswami, popularly known as Mamoni baideo.
Mamoni, besides being a celebrated writer who was conferred the country's highest literary honour - the Jnanpith award - was also a profound Ramayana scholar. She was remembered across the state and her relentless efforts to take Assamese literature out to the world acknowledged on Thursday.
The main tribute programme was organized at the writer's paternal village, Amranga, around 40km from here by locals along with the office-bearers of the South-East Asia Ramayana Research Institute and the Mamoni Raisom Goswami Smritiraksha Sammittee (MRGSS) - a committee formed to preserve the work and memories of the writer.
Mamoni's life-size statue was also unveiled on the first death anniversary at Amranga amid the presence of hundreds of fans of the writer, who is credited with playing a key role in the initiation of the ongoing peace talks between Ulfa, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, and the Centre.
Throughout her life, Goswami fought to abolish the practice of animal sacrifice and worked for reformation of the society and her writing was a reflection of her goals as well. Amongst her most acclaimed works are 'Nilkanthi Broja' and 'Dotal Hatir Uiye Khowa Haoda', which showcase Goswami's sensitivity in the manner she depicts the suffering of widows in a patriarchal society.
Her 'Chinnamastar Manuhto' focuses on protests against animal sacrifice at Kamakhya Temple. The writer's autobiography, 'Aadha Lekha Dastabez' has been translated into several Indian languages.
Her other passion was research on 'The Ramayana'. "We appeal to researchers to come to our institute and carry ahead research on 'The Ramayana', which was her dream. We will make the Indian epic available for them in Thai, Nepali and other languages. 'The Ramayana' has been influential in countries like the Netherlands and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. We want young researchers to study the 'Ramayana' and they can do it for free at our institute," said the late writer's brother and president of the South-East Asia Ramayana Research Institute, Satyabrat Goswami.
The president of the MRGSS, Jayanta Goswami, lauded the writer's immense contribution to the society. "The people of Assam and Amranga will always remain grateful to this great soul. Mamoni baideo will always remain in the hearts of the people of her native village and the state," he added.