Umesh Sharma His file remained with the Government of Assam, gathering dust.

His idols are exhibited in Dhubri, Diblugarh and Guwahati and also in distant Bhutan. A recipient of innumerable accolades and the love and affection of the people for his dynamic creativity, this 72 year old man who had approached the government of Assam many a times with his application, requesting the Shilpi Pension was rebuffed and rejected for reasons best known to the officials concerned.

His name is Umesh Sarma and he hails from Amora village in Ghograpar of Nalbari district where even electricity is not available. It is here that he gave life to his numerous idols which he created with his own hands. This physically weak sculptor is now almost blind as his eyesight is diminishing. He can not afford to undergo any treatment. God has been kind to this man but now he is without any means of subsistence. It has been aptly remarked by one of his friends, “Oh, the times, Oh, the manners!” Undaunted, Umesh Sarma still believes that the government of Assam will provide him with the Shilpi Pension. He is not really losing hope.

Going back in time, he remembers late Nagen Sarma, the then Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) minister who was the local MLA from the Nalbari constituency whom Umesh met to request him for the Shilpi Pension. It is alleged that Late Nagen Sarma did not even bother to look into his application and instead, he threw the file away. The local regional papers carried articles which said that it was unfortunate that a person of Umesh Sarma’s stature should be treated this way.

Having faith that the Cultural Affairs department of the government of Assam could come to the rescue, Umesh Sarma approached them but his application remained where it was, in the file and gathering dust. Talking t this scribe, Umesh Sarma said, “I have received honour, love and affection from the public, people have recognised me and I am still continuing with this love of mine. My mind is like that of a 25 year old youth yet the government has failed to recognise me.”

Wiping the tears that trickled down his weather beaten cheeks, he said, “Did I make any mistakes in learning this art? Who is the Shilpi Pension for? Why has the government neglected me?”

Looking at the number of scrolls hanging on the walls and in the boxes where the traditional Assamese gamochas are, Umesh Sarma is motivated at 72 years and wants to continue with his pet love of sculpting idols. His family though is suffering and his future is uncertain.