Foreign delegates pose in front of the South-East Asia Ramayana Research Institute after the inaugural function on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Jan. 20: The city today took its first step towards becoming a port of call for scholars and researchers on the epic Ramayan with the formal inauguration of the South-East Asia Ramayana Research Centre in the Gandhi Basti area today.

The inauguration attracted a host of foreign scholars, cutting across religious beliefs, who also made contributions to the centre by way of books and paintings.

Most present at the function were of the opinion that the centre would be an attraction for scholars and researchers just like the Kamakhya temple is to pilgrims.

Though the centre will initially operate from two rooms of writer Mamoni Raisom Goswami’s one-storey residence, it will have the entire complex to itself as the author has bequeathed her property and savings to the trust that will run the hub.

The writer described the inauguration as a dream fulfilled and that it would play its role in preserving and propagating the virtues of the Ramayan in India and abroad. Moved by the occasion, Goswami said, “I have realised one of my goals today. I am a writer and that is the basis of my existence. My writings on Ramayan and the books I have acquired over the years on the epic will be there in the library. Today I have done something for my country through this, which I am sure, will be of great help to scholars.”

The centre, inaugurated by Ramayana scholar from Malaysia, Noriah Mohamed, received a translation of the Ramcharitmanas in Thai, written by professor emeritus of Thammasat University of Thailand, Sirisurung Poolthupya. She translated it from the synopsis of Ramcharitmanas, written by president of the International Ramayana Conference L.P. Vyas, who was also present.

“I feel honoured to be here today. I have known about Assam since my school days because of the connection between Ahom and the Thai races. I am happy about this initiative on Ramayan, of which we have a version in Thai language,” she said while presenting her book to Goswami.

French scholar Svetlana Dinzes presented a seven-part painting describing the Ramayan. Former vice-chancellor of Maharishi University, Holland, Coos Visser, expressed his best wishes saying it would serve as a guiding light to ushering in Ram rajya.

The centre is expected to start its operations after six months as by then the funding of scholars and affiliation to Gauhati University would be decided.

“We have moved Dispur to fund two scholars every three years and Gauhati University for affiliation. I am hopeful this will be completed within six months. Till then scholars and those interested can avail the facilities at the library,” she said. While one of the scholars will be an Indian, the other will be a foreigner.

They will be provided with food, accommodation and library facilities.