Glory and importance of books can never fade: Writer Bharat Rajkhowa

Mangalmoy Book Festival 2020 starts in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: “Books can lead a society towards amelioration. They are the most potent civilizing force of the world. They teach us how to think, what should be thought or how to think high. They are an indispensable part of human society and will be the same for ever. The glory and importance of books can never fade,” said litterateur and creative writer Bharat Rajkhowa in Lakhimpur on Wednesday. He made this statement while taking part as a chairperson of an interactive session organized in connection with the Managalmoy Book Festival-2020 (Mangalmoy Grantha Utsav-2020) from March 11 to March 15.

Notably, the five day-long book fair, organized by Mangalbodh Jagaran Kendra of Lakhimpur, started in a festive environment at North Lakhimpur Boys’ Government HS School hostel premises on Wednesday. The event was organized as a step towards the intellectual revolution of the State with a view to laying emphasis on the importance of reading books.

The agenda of the event on the first day began with the unfurling of flag by Uday Sankar Hazarika, the president of the book fair organizing committee. It was followed by smriti tarpan event conducted by working president Dipak Bordoloi. Environmental activists Narayan Baruah inaugurated the massive plantation drive which was undertaken to mark the event. Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur, Bipul Kumar Das formally inaugurated the book stalls of the book fair set up by several noted publications of the State taking part in the event. Then the theme song of the book fair, titled as ‘Grantha Jyoti’, composed by poet-lyrist Jiten Baruah, was presented by vocal artiste Mridul Kumar Baruah.

In connection with the first day agenda of the event, a total of seven books, published by Mangalbodh Jagaran Prakashan Parishad were released in a special programme organized on the occasion under the management of Pankaj Sabhapandit. Sri Sri Sankardev Kathamrit by Gopal Hazarika was released by dramatist Manik Sonowal while Narayan Baruah released Mor Deshatkoi Momai Dangar Nohoy, written by Nripen Phukan. Jiten Baruah’s Bhobishyotor Kobita was released by writer Uday Sankar Hazarika. North Lakhimpur College (Autonomous) Principal Dr. Biman Chandra Chetia released Hemendra Kumar Bori, a book on the memory of the personality, edited by Gopal Hazarika and Sujata Bori. Literary pensioner and novelist Bandhuram Pamegam released Premei Socha: Tumi Premor Chaneki Howa, a collection of poems by Dibyajit Lahon.

On the other hand, two books of Niran Kumar Borah titled Rasarajar Jivan Kotha and Sahitya Kandari Padmanath Gohainbaruah, were released by Lakhimpur Kendriya Mahavidyalaya Principal Dr. Golap Sarmah Baruah. The souvenir of the book fair titled Grantha Baibhav, edited by Dipak Borah and Sweetsri Borah, was released by educationist Gagan Borah.

Many book lovers and literary personalities took part in the interactive session which was held on a topic ‘The joy and dignity of reading books’ that commenced with Bharat Rajkhowa in the chair.

Mangalbodh Jagaran Kendra conferred the Pragyajyoti Award to eminent writer and social activist of Lakhimpur, Uday Sankar Hazarika in an another programme organized on the occasion. A cultural programme was held in the evening wherein a galaxy of vocal artistes and other artistes took part.

On the other hand, the second day agenda of the event will start at 11 am with quiz competition, poetry recitation, drawing and essay-writing competition among the students. It will be followed by a symposium on ‘The future of book in the world of science and technology and roles of the students’, Mangalbodh Jagaran Kendra Award distribution ceremony and another symposium on ‘The search of the pleasure and grace of life amidst the aesthetic beauty of books’. Notably, several noted publication of the State like Bonlota, Bidya Mandir, Asomiya Bhasa aru Software Bikash Kendra, Jagarna Sahitya Praksh along with North Lakhimpur College Publication have taken part in the book fair.

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