OdishaPlus Bureau
The Assam Government has agreed to bear the entire cost of renovation of the house of Satyarthi Lakshminath Bezboruah in Sambalpur and released Rs.50 lakh as the first installment. Popularly known as Bezbaruah Kothi, a dilapidated house stands on the banks of River Mahanadi in Sambalpur Town where Bezbaruah stayed between 1917-1932.
Assam’s Secretary Culture Affairs Preetom Saikia has informed the Odisha Government about the latest decision of the Assam Government. He has said that the Government of Assam has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh to preserve the Bezbaruah Kothi where doyen of Assam Litterateur Lakshminath Bezbaruah spent 20 years of his life.
Hue and cry were raised by the Sahityarthi Lakshminath Bezbaruah Smriti Raksha Samitee (SLBSRS) and other Cultural Organizations when the Sambalpur District Administration decided to demolish the property to allow construction of a new road in the area.
Members of the Samiti had met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the state Government has assured to preserve the property.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal talked to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and appreciated the efforts of the State Government to preserve the same. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had asked INTACH to take up the preservation assignment.
INTACH will come up with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the preservation of the Heritage Property, said sources.
Recently several people from Assam held a meeting with Minister Culture in Sambalpur and appreciated Odisha Government’s efforts to preserve the heritage property.