Gandhi Mela & exhibition kicks off at Silchar

From Our Correspondent

Silchar, Jan 31: Gandhi Mela has always been a converging point for various sections of the people of Barak Valley. People from every section of the society come to enjoy the fair which has earned a cult status over the decades. The 67th Gandhi Mela exhibition was iugurated by former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha, who was also the chief-guest on the occasion, at rsing Higher Secondary School playground in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the tion and a frontline freedom fighter. Kabindra Purkayastha said, “Gandhi Mela has become a part and parcel of our life. It has some good impact upon our societal life as people, irrespective of any caste or creed, visits Gandhi Mela.” He also said that Gandhi Mela is not only for entertaining the masses but also for bringing our scattered society together.

Niharendra rayan Thakur, chairman Silchar Municipal Board, said that utmost care has been taken to control noise so that students do not have to suffer during the time of their examitions. “The large gathering at the iugural function reflects that Gandhi Mela is one of the most celebrated and talked about programme for the people of this town,” he added to say. Dr Sourindra Kumar Bhattacharjee, president of the newly formed committee of Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan, put emphasis on Mahatma Gandhi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. “It is very endearing to note that our present Prime Minister, rendra Modi, has taken the initiative of a clean country. His cleanliness drive is noteworthy, said Dr Sourindra Kumar Bhattacharjee.

However, all the speakers lamented on the loss of people’s interest in Gandhi Mela. They said that those bygone days of Mela which used to be filled with enthusiasts, are nowhere to be seen. Those sun-backed, warm days with musical Mela evenings had gone, never to return. Among others present on the occasion included Paritosh Dey, frontline BJP leader Niyta Bhushan Dey, Ashim Das, commissioner of Ward No. 18, Bimalendu Roy and Gopal Kanti Roy.