Srutimala Duara's New Book Released in City

Aiyushman Dutta

Noted writer and educationist Prof. (Dr.) Srutimala Duara's latest novel, “Dhekura Kukurar Club”, published by Lawyers Book Stall, was launched by Assam Education and Guwahati Development Department Minister Sri Siddhartha Bhattacharyya on January 3 last. The book was launched in the office of the North East Writers Forum amongst a packed audience, comprising of noted writers, readers and animal activists.

Releasing the children novel, Siddhartha Bhattacharyya said that the book would bring awareness among the people to care for street dogs. He spoke about how the men from his own restaurant had been offering the leftover food to the street dogs for years together and how the dogs do not let anyone touch the shutter of the restaurant. Our local dogs are very loyal, he added.

In her address, the writer, Srutimala Duara spoke about how she was inspired by the activities of his son, Angaraj, who had started a dog rescue organisation called "Rover", to write the book. The rescue operations and the care for the street dogs inspired Dr. Duara to write the novel, she said. Speaking on the street dogs organizations in the city, Angaraj Duara spoke about the plight of streets dogs in Guwahati and Assam and pointed out the need for empathy towards street dogs.

The Guest of Honour, noted writer Dhruba Hazarika, said that feelings for animals and birds had stirred him to write stories on the subject and the same feelings had also stirred Srutimala to write the novel for children “Dhekura Kukurar Club”.