10th Dibrugarh Book Fair begins

From our Staff Correspondent

Dibrugarh, Dec 1: The 10th Dibrugarh Book Fair 2017, organized by Milan Jyoti Sangha in association with All Assam Book Sellers and Publishers Association, kicked-off on Friday at the Chowkidinghee Field.  Renowned poet and litterateur, Harekrish Deka, graced the iuguration ceremony as its Chief Guest.

Speaking to the gathering of book lovers, readers, and jourlists, Deka said that education and health were of utmost significance in a developing country like India, and echoed the importance of education in weeding out the superstitious beliefs that ran deep in the country. The former DGP of Assam Police, Deka, added that it was Chandra Prakash Saikia who, in order to restore the love for books among the people, first mooted the idea of organizing book fairs in Assam. He, however, lamented over the fact that the present generation of Assamese was moving away from the Assamese language. Clarifying that it was not just them who were to be blamed for this sorry state, Deka requested the parents as well as the government to take steps to attract the young populace towards the Assamese books and literature. While speaking, he even explored the idea of earmarking a day that could be used to promote Assamese books every year, and called upon the present generation to save the Assamese language from sinking into oblivion. Noted writer as well as former President of Axom Xahityo Sabha, gen Saikia, was also present at the event as its honoured guest.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Alok Kumar Buragohain, launched the souvenir for the event and spoke about how souvenirs can help researchers and writers. MLA of Dibrugarh, Prashanta Phukan and MLA of Lahoal, Ritupar Baruah, also graced the occasion as guests. Phukan, in his speech, declared that the government was going to set up a 24*7 library in D.H.S.K College of Dibrugarh. Baruah, on the other hand, opined that the Dibrugarh Book Fair was one of the most popular book fairs of Assam. The evening of the first day of the 10th Dibrugarh Book Fair witnessed Deka interacting with the readers and writers in an interactive session moderated by Satyakam Borthakur of Dibrugarh University.