31 Facts About Bhabananda Deka

Prof Bhabananda Deka was a pioneer Assam economist and author who conducted novel research on the economy of the far eastern part of India.

Bhabananda Deka was a leading Indian-Assamese litterateur of the famed 'Awahon-Ramdhenu Era' of Assamese literature during the mid-20th century.

Bhabananda Deka was the author of a total of 115 English and Assamese books including textbooks on a range of fifteen subjects including economics, ancient Assamese literature, philosophy, education, religion, mythology, archaeology, tribal study, poetry, drama, memoirs, civics, political science, biographies; he edited books and journals.

Bhabananda Deka authored a variety of research papers and articles about the state of Assam, a state in the north-eastern part of India.

Bhabananda Deka pioneered the writing of books on Economics in Assamese.

Prof Bhabananda Deka was born to Late Baliram Pathak and Late Sayatri Bala Pathak at Byaskuchi Satra, Barpeta sub division of undivided Kamrup district, Assam.

Bhabananda Deka completed his graduation in Economics from Cotton College, Guwahati, in 1954 and gained a postgraduate qualification in Economics from Gauhati University in 1957.

Bhabananda Deka served the locality by opening up an income generating mechanism for covering the running expenses of the Satra by aligning with the annual Fishery allotment of the nearby Kapla Bil, the big lake and conservatory of various fish species.

Bhabananda Deka returned to Guwahati City to resume post-graduation studies in 1955, and had to earn his livelihood while learning in the University by working as Economist at Assam State Congress office under the patronage of state Congress President and ex-Chief Minister Mahendra Mohan Choudhury.

Bhabananda Deka joined Pragjyotish College in the Economics Department as the Professor and Head.

Bhabananda Deka retired as Principal of Pragjyotish College in 1992.

Bhabananda Deka was the Founder Principal of Bapujee College in Sarthebari in 1970.

Bhabananda Deka worked as Principal of 4 other Graduate and Postgraduate Colleges in Assam.

Prof Deka established Assamese Department and Bengali Department in the Indian Constitutional body Union Public Service Commission in New Delhi, and introduced Assamese Language as a subject and medium for appearing in all-India level Competitive Examinations conducted by UPSC to select top bureaucrats of India Government.

Bhabananda Deka organised the Birth Centenary of the doyen of Assamese literature Lakshminath Bezbaroa in New Delhi at all India level with the cooperation of two erstwhile Presidents and two Prime Ministers of India including Dr Zakir Husain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai in 1968.

Bhabananda Deka was the founder of Assam Economic Association, Assam Foundation-India and Srimanta Sankardev International Foundation, and a frontline advocate of the rich literary and cultural heritage of Assam all over the world.

Bhabananda Deka died on 4 December 2006 at his residence in Pub Sarania, Guwahati.

Bhabananda Deka authored a total 115 numbers of books, apart from many articles, essays and research papers.

Bhabananda Deka was prolific writer equally at ease in writing authoritative books on such diverse subjects like classical Assamese ancient literature, philosophy, vaisnavite study, economics, Assam economy, political science, civics, education, heritage study, mythology, tribal study, poetry, travelogue and biography.

Bhabananda Deka translated the Kirtan Ghosa from Assamese to English.

Bhabananda Deka was first offered the editorship of a literary journal Ami in the year 1948 when he was an eighth standard school student at Barpeta Government High School.

Bhabananda Deka's first foray into editing was a tremendous success, leading to more such editing offers during later years in his life.

Bhabananda Deka jointly edited an iconic literary journal Udaygiri in 1964 while he was a college teacher.

Bhabananda Deka discovered several new literary talents and established them in the literary world by highlighting their works in his edited journal.

Bhabananda Deka was the editor of several other literary and philosophical journals and magazines including Rastrajyoti and Gobinda.

Bhabananda Deka had always been active in projecting the motherland in all its glory through its rich legacy of literature and culture.

Prof Bhabananda Deka's book has beautifully encapsulated Sankardev's enriching works on every aspect of literature and art.

Bhabananda Deka was instrumental in bringing Hollywood personalities to Guwahati in 1995 and subsequent production of first one-hour documentary film on life and works of Srimanta Sankardev in 1996.

Principal Bhabananda Deka was the recipient of the Literary Pension and Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence Literary Award offered by the Government of Assam.

Sushil Sarma conferring the said honorary title upon Principal Bhabananda Deka was officially released in the same programme by several leading scholars jointly including Prof.

Principal Bhabananda Deka was the first scholar to be conferred with this prestigious title by intelligentsia in Assam.