Sesquicentennial celebration of DC office begins on grand note

Correspondent

Silchar, Jan 15: Sesquicentennial celebration (150 years) of the Deputy Commissioner’s office has commenced on a grand scale at this town, today. The daylong programme kicked off with cleanliness drive that was carried out at different points of the town. It was followed by a colourful rally that started from the campus of the office of the Deputy Commissioner and passed through different points of the town. To make the day more memorable, foundation stones for construction of foot bridge connecting DC’s office main building and Unyan Bhawan at DC’s office and DC’s office staff  recreation Centre at Dak Bungalow premises, were laid.

 The iugural function of sesquicentennial celebration was held at Banga Bhawan, which was graced by the presence of a galaxy of stalwarts, lumiries, political leaders, educationists, and jourlists. It started on a musical note with two beautiful songs performed by the artistes of Kheya. It was followed by two brilliantly choreographed dance numbers performed under the direction of Pompi Chakraborty, a choreographer of intertiol repute.

 In his welcome address, S Viswathan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, said, “I stand before you as the 78th DC of Cachar. Since Cachar came into being in 1832, residents have seen many developments and changes taking place all around them. Robert Stewart was the first DC of Cachar. I also announce the launch of two projects, Rs.150 crores under MNREGA and Rs.156 crores under Pradhan Mantri Awash Yojya.” He further said that Barak Valley has seen stalwart DCs like S K Tiwari, H M Carie and others and he has to take the legacy forward.

 Professor Jyoti Lal Chowdhury, senior jourlist and an authority on the history of Cachar chronicled the prestigious history of the district and enlightened audience. He said, “I can recall the moment when DC called me to know about the first DC of Cachar. He said that he had gone through my book, Glimpses of British Raj in Barak Valley. I met him and gave all relevant information regarding the administration of the DCs of Cachar. A draft plan for this grand celebration was already chalked out in the month of November. Our present DC’s interest and excitement proves it how dymic, vibrant and energetic person he is. He is undoubtedly the people’s DC.”

 Professor Chowdhury giving a tangential touch to British Raj threw light upon the prestigious history of various tea gardens of the valley. “During the Raj, 114 tea gardens were flourishing at a time. Tea plantation was a lucrative business. We should know about our prestigious history. At Labac Hospital, Nobel Laureate Dr Rold Ross discovered that malaria by caused by female mosquitoes. Lord Curzon was in Silchar and visited Dilkush Tea Estate. He addressed tow important meetings, one with the planters and the other with the tive communities. It was upon Lady Curzon’s insistence that Kaziranga was declared as a tiol park. There are innumerable memories and moments that should be written down with golden words. At present, there are 45 Portuguese families at Badarpur.”

 Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, Primal Suklabaidya, Minister of PWD, Excise and Fishery, said, “It is important for the residents of the valley to know about its prestigious history. There had been exploitations, movements, protests and bloodsheds. Great persolities had also visited Silchar and its neighbouring areas. So, it is our duty to uphold the dignity of the place. I assure that road, transport and communication services would be made excellent in a short span of time.” He further said that huge amount of credit has to be cleared which was taken by the previous government.

Kabindra Purkayastha, former Union Minister said, “I am thankful to all for arranging such a gala event. Both Professor Jyoti Lal Chowdhury and Sanjib Deb Laskar deserve mention as they enlightened us. Making a humble request, MP Sushmita Dev said, “The construction of Mahasadak should not stop here and should extend up to Imphal so that people no longer have to go there via other places. If we work together for the development of the valley without thinking about our own Party, it would oodles of good.” Among other dignitaries present on the dais included, Niharendra rayan Thakur, chairman, Silchar Municipal Board, MLAs Aminul Haque Laskar, Mihir Kanti Shome, Kishore th and Amarchand Jain.