Radha Govinda Baruah(1900-1977), the Architect of Modern Assam and His Times
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
International Journal of Management (IJM) Volume 11, Issue 11, November 2020, pp. 1438-1443. Article ID: IJM_11_11_136 Available online at http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=11&Issue=11 Journal Impact Factor (2020): 10.1471 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com ISSN Print: 0976-6502 and ISSN Online: 0976-6510 DOI: 10.34218/IJM.11.11.2020.136 © IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed RADHA GOVINDA BARUAH(1900-1977), THE ARCHITECT OF MODERN ASSAM AND HIS TIMES Jyotishman Das Department of Assamese, Tezpur University, Napam, 784028, India ABSTRACT The nineteenth century is a very significant period in the history of Assam. At that time a new era started in Assam in the light of colonial modernity. Radha Gobinda Boruah is one of the well known figures born in the last year of this 19 th century who set up a new momentum to the economic, cultural, educational and social renaissance that emerged in the 19th century Assam in the hand of intelligentsia formed by literate middle class of contemporary Assam. He played a pioneering role in almost every sphere of public life of mid 20 th century Assam. He was the founder of the Assam Tribune Group, he brought ‘bihu’(festival of Assam) onto stage from the fields, and initiated a number of other cultural and sports activities. That’s why he is called ‘the architect of modern Assam’. The objective of this research paper is to discuss his contribution in modernization of 20th century Assam. The nature of modernity in Assam during that period will also be highlighted. Key words: Assam, Economy, Modernization, Radha Govinda Barua, Twentieth century. Cite this Article: Jyotishman Das, Radha Govinda Baruah (1900-1977), The Architect of Modern Assam and his Times, International Journal of Management, 11(11), 2020, pp 1438-1443. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=11&Issue=11 1. INTRODUCTION The contribution of Radha Govinda Baruah(1900-1977) in social life of 20th century Assam is significant and its scope is phenomenally well spread with a greater possibility in future. In Nirod Choudhary’s words- ‘The heap of problems was always a matter of challenge for Radha Govinda Baruah (Translated from Assamese, Radha Govinda Baruah, p.4). He was known as ‘Sinhapurush’ (Lion-man) for his abundant bravery and enthusiasm and as ‘Rupkhanikar’ (Architect of beauty) for his indefatigable creativity. Atul Chandra Hazarika says, “His works were just as beautiful, extensive and well planned as his name Radha Govinda Baruah means beautiful and heavenly. That is why I am happy to put the word ‘Rupkhanikar’ before his name.’’ http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJM 1438 [email protected] Radha Govinda Baruah (1900-1977), The Architect of Modern Assam and his Times We notice Radha Govinda Baruah’s contribution basically in four aspects of social life of mid 20th century Assam : Economy, Journalism, Culture and Sports. Radha Govinda Baruah, a son from a middle class Assamese family was a successful individual from every aspect. His contributions are discussed below. 2. RADHA GOVINDA BARUAH’S CONTRIBUTION IN THE ECONOMIC FIELD OF ASSAM There was a drastic change in the economic field of Assam during the second half of 19th century. Business and commerce brought a new chapter in economic sector of life. The development of textile industry began a new era. As Radha Govinda Baruah was the eldest son of the revenue officer and a tea businessman, Gunagobinda Baruah, he was well introduced to the economic and business world. Radha Gobinda Baruah had a dream of becoming businessman since adolescence and become a businessman later. Radha Govinda Baruah’s works enriched the economic sector of contemporary Assam. As he dreamt of becoming a businessman Radha Gobinda was attached to the tea business of his father. After doing business of opium and thatch, Baruah went to Calcutta to learn accountancy and book- keeping. The struggle-full life in Calcutta inspired him to build a new Assam. The banks that he saw in Calcutta also inspired him to establish bank in Assam. Radha Govinda Baruah established the first bank of Assam in 1923 accompanied by Mr. Cameron in Dibrugarh Treasury of Assam. The name of the bank was ‘Imperial Bank’. It was the milestone in the economic history of Assam. Through the bitter and sweet experiences, the bank business of Radha Gobinda Baruah was able to gain success. However, he also gained success as an agent of ‘Bombay Mutual Company’. This was an uncommon experience for Assam. From this angle, Radha Govinda Baruah could be recognized as the path-founder of insurance business of Assam. It is remarkable that he was able to gain the best agent honor for the two times in all India level and it was published with photograph in the magazine ‘Avahan’. As a member of ‘National Savings Central Advisory Board’ and the chairman of ‘Small Savings Advisory Board of Assam’ he too got to earn the special recognition. The chairman of ‘National Savings Central Advisory Board’ belonging to that time Tarakeshwari Sinha praised Radha Govinda Baruah for having served these two positions wholeheartedly. He was always broad minded when he had to keep faith protect it with respect. He played a vital role regarding saving drafts, by travelling from one place to another of Assam in order to understand the problems related to different regions. Under his leadership Assam got to earn the 1st position in all over India. He also played the main role organizing a ceremony for the auction of tea in Guwahati, Assam. 3. CONTRIBUTION OF RADHA GOVINDA BARUAH IN THE FIELD OF MEDIA The role of printing press is an utmost important thing regarding the uprising of human civilization. The importance of ‘Baruah Press’ which was belonged to Radha Govinda Baruah’s family is also there in the historical record of media and journalism. The role of Radha Govinda Baruah in the field of media is explicitly remarkable and renowned in his whole career. An immensely unexhausted struggle is involved too along with his role. ‘Baruah Press’ in Dibrugarh was given a modern shape after buying two or more small printing presses by the opportunity seeker Mr. Baruah. The business he took up about the press gradually started to develop like his earlier businesses. In this field he also got the success as he desired. But he never let the extreme and indomitable spirit be overcome by the success he earned on the way. He had a question in his mind that working for the ‘Saheb’(British tea-planter) who were in tea estates, making weeding cards and making the http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJM 1439 [email protected] Jyotishman Das hand bills for Cinemas, are these only task remained that a printing press could do? Due to this thing, he felt a sort of dissatisfaction and something missing, herein Radha Govinda Baruah dreamt of publishing an English news paper. At that time a weekly English news paper was used to be published which name was ‘The Times of Assam’(1895-1947) under the editorship of Kedarnath Goswami from Dibrugarh. Mr. Baruah prepared a plan to make something from this sample but the challenges were always there for him. Goswami, the Editor of ‘The Times of Assam’ apparently expressed his disappointment towards Mr. Baruah. But he was not the sort of person who easily forgets his sworn pledge that he set it to do or complete thoroughly. He accepted the challenge whatever Kedarnath Goswami declared. At the time of silver jubilee of ‘Assam Tribune’(the first English daily of Assam) a story was published where he writes- “Actually his doubts made me more determined and I made up my mind to see that a second weekly got its footing in Assam.’’ According to the counsel from Superintendent of Maijaan Tea Estate and the vice Chairman of ‘Indian Tea Association’, Assam branch, the paper about to be published and the name was kept as – ‘The Assam Tribune’. The problem was still there after the name was kept and got the press ready. At the last moment, Radha Govinda Baruah came close to Lakshminath Phookan(1897-1975). The bright star of news paper in the history of Assam Lakshminath Phookan was working as a co-editor of English daily news paper ‘The Hindustan Standard’ then, which was firmly established in Calcutta. In Assam there was not available a suitable environment to run an English news paper. So, first, Mr. Phookan denied the proposal from Radha Govinda Baruah. In the later period, in order to editing the weekly ‘The Assam Tribune’ he returned from Calcutta for the sake of regardless and faith. He had under the influence of Mr. Baruah’s ability and great enthusiasm towards the news paper. The union of these two regarded person gave a new momentum and status towards the history of news paper. Mr. Boruah’s dream came true on 4th august 1938. The weekly English news paper ‘The Assam Tribune’ was published from Mr. Baruah’s press located in Dibrugarh. The popularity of ‘The Times of Assam’ was decreased as soon as the news paper ‘The Assam Tribune’ was published and within a few years of the circulation of that news paper, it had been stopped. As one and only English news paper ‘The Assam Tribune’ started a new flow in the field of Assamese news paper. Radha Govinda Baruah and Lakshimanth Phukan had to confront different sorts of challenges concerning to editing and the collection of advertisement; though Mr. Baruah had dreamt of publishing an English daily and started to make plans for it to be successful. He also realized that it will not be a suitable place for publishing an English daily in Dibrugarh.