Fourth Volume of Paresh Baishya Rachanawali Released.

Dalim Phukan.
Hills Live News, Guwahati, October 25: The fourth volume of Paresh Baishya Rachanawali, a collection of the writings of noted author-journalist and educationist Paresh Baishya, was released at a solemn function held at the Housefed Housing Complex in West Boragaon, Guwahati, today. The volume comprises nine history-based books written by Baishya and edited by eminent educationist Dr Dayananda Pathak.
The book was formally released by Dr Upendra Rabha Hakasam, Professor in the Department of Assamese at Gauhati University.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hakasam observed that although several writers in Assam had authored hundreds of books on individual subjects, Paresh Baishya had set a record by writing on a wide range of subjects in Assamese literature.
He also pointed out that the works of many authors were lost during their lifetimes due to a lack of proper preservation, underscoring the importance of preserving literary contributions for future generations.
Earlier, explaining the purpose of the programme, Paresh Baishya said that the fourth volume brought together several of his valuable works. These include books on the history of newspapers and magazines in Assam, the history of parliamentary politics in the state, a brief history of Assam, the history of Asam Sahitya Sabha, the tradition of the theatre movement in Hajo, the history of Balisatra, and the Agni Baneshwar Devalaya, Bhringeshwar Devalaya and Dhareshwar Devalaya.
Baishya further informed the gathering that arrangements had been made to donate copies of the complete collection to 100 government and leading private libraries across Assam for preservation.
He said that the first three volumes, published earlier, contained his works on children’s literature, literary journalism, folk culture, travel writing and translations.
Baishya, who has authored more than 300 books, also shared his plan to publish his literary works in collected volumes during his lifetime.
Taking part in the programme as an honoured guest, eminent educationist Dr Dayananda Pathak said that historical consciousness was the lifeblood of a nation. He observed that the fourth volume of Paresh Baishya Rachanawali, containing works on history, would serve as an excellent resource for research.
Retired Gauhati University professor Dr Bhupendra Raychaudhury, who attended the event as a distinguished guest, described Paresh Baishya as a remarkable figure in contemporary intellectual circles. He said that Baishya had become a role model for many through his uninterrupted literary pursuits and dynamic guidance in the field of education.
Addressing the gathering, Indian Administrative Service officer and noted writer Thaneshwar Malakar highlighted the scarcity of diary literature in Assamese. He observed that Baishya had pioneered a distinct stream of Assamese diary literature by regularly publishing diaries that went beyond his personal life to reflect broader social realities. He expressed the hope that Baishya’s diaries would one day become subjects of academic research.
Senior journalist of Asomiya Pratidin, Anjan Kumar Sharma, also attended the programme as a distinguished guest. He said that, alongside his literary activities, Baishya had made an unprecedented contribution to Assam’s education sector through his initiative, Pohor Vidyalaya. Sharma also described him as an efficient administrator.
Retired Sipajhar College professor Dr Dibakar Chandra Das addressed the gathering and praised Baishya’s systematic and scientific approach to diary writing.
Among those present at the programme were Dr Hemanta Hazarika, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Navjyoti College, Barpeta; Panchali Baishya; Purnima Das Baishya, trustee of the Paresh Baishya Foundation; literary enthusiast Dhiraj Kumar Deka; and distinguished teacher Jayanta Patgiri. They also shared their views on the occasion.