[Assam] Siu-Ka-Pha Award presented (The Assam Tribune. 03.12.2008)

[Buljit Buragohain]

Siu-Ka-Pha Award presented
Staff reporter
 GUWAHATI, Dec 2 – The 2008 Siu-Ka-Pha award was presented to noted historian Jogendra Nath Phukan in the city today. The national award instituted by the Assam Government was given away by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, in a function that also recalled the first king of the Ahom kingdom after whom the award has been named. The award carried a citation, an angabastra, a sarai and two lakh rupees. 

In his acceptance speech Professor Phukan, an authority on Ahom history, said that even though he had studied and taught his subject for more than thirty years, it continued to stimulate him. 

“In the context of the region’s history Siu-Ka-Pha emerges as an incredible leader because of his embracing and inclusive vision,” he remarked. The first king of the Ahoms was noted for his political acumen and deep empathy for people belonging to other tribes and communities, qualities which endeared him to the people.

He revealed that prior to the advent of Siu-Ka-Pha the region was fragmented in ethnic lines manifesting in several small kingdoms. It was the Ahom king that sowed the seeds of unity by different means, which also included building ties through marriage and accepting different religious customs of his subjects.

His speech revealed that much knowledge about the first Ahom leaders and their culture was located beyond the boundaries of present day India. He himself had carried out studies in a few Southeast Asian countries. 

Thanking the Assam Government for presenting him with the honour, Phukan noted the gesture as a recognition of historical research about medieval Assam. 

Speaking as the chief guest, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the ideals and acts of Siu-Ka-Pha were relevant in today’s world even though he was a figure from history. He expressed his apprehension whether Assam could still be pushed back to a situation preceding the great nation builder when society was divided in many ways.

He expressed his admiration for scholars like Phukan who had made a leader like Siu-Ka-Pha accessible to people, so that the signal contributions of the Ahom king could be widely appreciated. 

In the function, another authority on Assam history, Dr BK Gohain highlighted the origins of the Ahoms, and said that the first pioneers who ventured into Assam were exceptional in adapting to a new place and cohabiting with earlier cultures. 

The State Minister of Cultural Affairs, Bharat Narah, also spoke on the occasion.

(The Assam Tribune. 03.12.2008)





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