Assam: Balidan Divas observed at Sootea

JAMUGURIHAT: Every year, August 25 has been observed as Balidan Divas to commemorate the death anniversary of the Gorkha martyr Major Durga Malla who was hanged by the British Government on August 25, 1944 at Lal Kila. Major Durga Malla was the first martyr from the Gorkha community to be hanged by the Britishers during the freedom movement. To commemorate his 79th death anniversary, the Sootea regional committee of All Assam Gorkha Students ’ Union, in collaboration with the Biswanath district AAGSU, had organized the Balidan Divas at Laxminarayan Temple premises with a day-long programme on Friday.

The day-long programme began with hoisting of the institutional flag by Dhiraj Bhandari, president of Sootea AAGSU followed by smriti tarpan offered by Roshan Chetry, secretary of Sootea AAGSU. In this connection, a blood donation camp was organized which was inaugurated by Dr Narayan Chandra Upadhyaya, former SDMO of Biswanath Chariali Sub-divisional Civil Hospital. The open session was inaugurated by Dilip Gajurel, vice president of the central committee of AAGSU which was attended by Sunil Sutar, president of Biswanath AAGSU as a chief guest.

Dr Chinta Mani Sharma, principal of Biswanath College graced the occasion as an appointed speaker. He traced the contributions of Major Durga Malla, a soldier of INA (Indian National Army) and as a freedom fighter. He also traced the golden history of the brave soldier Major Durga Malla and his supreme sacrifice. The open session was also addressed by Madan Thapa, chief secretary of Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha, Anjan Baskota, journalist, Moti Kumar Newar, executive member of Gorkha Development Council, Madhab Sarma, president of Biswanath district committee of Assam Gorkha Sammelan among others.

A series of cultural activities were performed in between the programmes. All the proceedings of the meeting were carried out by Prakash Khanal, secretary of Biswanath AAGSU. The special day was attended by many dignitaries and office bearers of AAGSU. A team of doctors and medical staff from Biswanath Chariali Civil Hospital Blood Bank headed by Dr Gunjan Pathak collected 40 units of blood donated by AAGSU cadres from various branches, regional committees and the district committee as well.

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