Mangaldai District Jail inmates celebrate Bohagi Utsav

Our Correspondent

MANGALDAI, May 13: The Mangaldai District Jail on Sunday was virtually transformed into a place of unity, solidarity and the traditional communal harmony of the State as the inmates, supported and encouraged by the Jail authority, celebrated Bohagi Utsav with a day-long programme. Setting aside their religion, language and caste, all the inmates, including the convicts and the under trial prisoners, took part in the celebration, thereby showcasing their hidden talents in culture and literature. The presence of District and Sessions Judge Alakesh Bhattacharyya, Chief Judicial Magistrate Bijoy Kumar Sing, Assistant Commissioner Hemashree Khanikar, industrialist Mukul Chandra Deka and his social activist wife Upasana Deka, media person Ganesh Dutta and Mayukh Goswami also highly encouraged all the inmates.

District and Sessions Judge Alakesh Bhattacharyya marked the inauguration of the Bohagi Utsav while Chief Judicial Magistrate Bijoy Kumar Singh lit the traditional lamp. Synchronizing with the function, industrialist Mukul Chandra Deka unveiled Karalipi, the wall magazine edited by life-term convict Arup Deka with literary contribution from other inmates of the jail.

Significantly, the inmates of the jail with their generous contribution of their own, organized Bohagi Utsav under the initiative of the Superintendent of the Jail, Ashok Kumar Goswami and jailor Munindra Sarma. All the staff of the jail also extended a helping hand in making the function a grand success. Enthusiastic Bihu teams from different parts of the district and the Jhumur team from Panery Tea Estate enthralled the audience, thereby allowing the inmates of the jail to forget their jail life for the day. An ophthalmologist of repute, Dr. Himangshu Shekhar Goswami of Nalbari district added another taste to the function with his melodious performance of songs. Extending his solidarity towards the inmates of the jail, he donated an amount of Rs. 3000 to the library of the jail while a Guwahati-based architect, Ranjit Barua also donated an amount of Rs. 2000 to the library. Much to the delight of all the inmates and the staff of the jail, upcoming singer Anwesha Goswami, singer Tara Shankar Saikia and comedian Dip Jyoti Deka took part in the celebration and enthralled the inmates with their excellent musical performance.

Convicts Chanika Purti, Sadeb Gour and Illias Purti willingly sponsored the Jhumur dance team while convict Gazi Rahman, Khabir Ali, Abdul Hai and Momin Ali jointly sponsored the Bihu team. Former inmates of the jail, Ibrahim Ali donated 40 phulam Bihuwan and Illias Ali sponsored another Bihu team. Bipul Barua of Dhemaji, who was compelled to spend several days in Mangaldai Jail few days back, sponsored the required sweets and biscuits while the SRD Group of Companies arranged for the snacks.