Filmmaker Guna Sindhu Hazarika (centre) being presented a copy of The Telegraph that highlighted his plight, in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Oct. 31: Guna Sindhu Hazarika had almost lost his will to live, a man whose very spirit had been broken by circumstances beyond his control.

Today, however, he admitted having got a new lease of life.

A recent report in The Telegraph prompted the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and a private firm, Computer Education Centre (CEC), to come forward to help Hazarika, a filmmaker.

“I had almost lost hope in life. But I got new lease of life with the help and support of the CEC and AASU. I have regained faith in humanity. If circumstances change, I will try to contribute more to the Assamese film industry,” an emotional Hazarika said during a public function here today.

Moved by The Telegraph report about the Assamese filmmaker, who was driven to penury after last year’s October 30 blasts, the AASU and the city-based private educational institution today announced financial and moral support to Hazarika.

While CEC will pay Rs 3,000 per month to Hazarika, the AASU will lend support for a new self-employment venture.

A public felicitation function for Hazarika was organised by the CEC at Swahid Nyas Bhawan here today to make the announcement.

While The Telegraph was highly appreciated for highlighting the plight of the filmmaker, a copy of the October 28 edition of the newspaper was put on display.

Hazarika’s PCO, on the premises of the Kamrup deputy commissioner’s office, was removed from the DC court premises. The site is adjacent to the CJM court where one of the three October 30 blasts took place.

With his main source of income gone, Hazarika and his wife are surviving on a meagre amount of Rs 1,500 that he gets per month as an artiste’s pension from the state government.

For several months, he was unable to pay his house rent and electricity bills.

The Assam State Electricity Board disconnected power to his residence in September because of non-payment of bills.

AASU adviser Sammujjal Bhattacharyya said Hazarika’s life was an example of the devastating impact of the October 30 serial blasts and the Tarun Gogoi government’s failure to rehabilitate the affected persons.

He said the AASU would give full support to Hazarika in the future and create a self-employment avenue for his livelihood soon.

Dipankar Dutta, the director of CEC, said he was so moved by the story of financial hardships and struggle published in The Telegraph, that he decided to pitch in.

“Soon after going through the news report we decided to do something for Hazarika. The CEC will also clear his electricity bills soon,” he said.

Even after losing his eyesight, Hazarika had directed the first Assamese children’s film Abuj Bedana.

He was the assistant director to the national-award winning film Sandhyarag by late Bhabendranath Saikia and other hit movies like Maniram Dewan, Lalita, Adalat, Moromi and Taramai.

Hazarika was also associated with the direction of two Bollywood films, Yeh Khoon Rang Layegee and Jab Yaad Kisi Ki Aati Hai. He had also directed a Bhojpuri movie, Gori.

.