By Mayukh Goswami (PNI)

Mangaldai :The centenary celebration of Mangaldai Sahitya Sabha  , one of the premier  wings of  Asom Sahitya Sabha  formed in 1918 got under way at Mangaldai for the second day on Saturday as various literary, social  and cultural programmes including poet meet , cultural procession , felicitation of prominent persons etc marked the second day. Earlier the celebration got off to a colourful start on Friday with the hoisting of altogether  one hundred flag of  its parent body Asom Sahitya Sabha by equal no of  prominent leading local citizens , former office bearers of  the literary body and office bearers of different public organizations in the morning at District Library premises . Jiten Bhatta , President of Mangaldai Sahitya Sabha  as the chief guest unfurled the flag while choir group of the sister organization “Akash” presented the the Asom Sangeet “ O’ Mor Aponar Desh…” adding more flavor to the whole ambience . This was followed by the tribute paying ceremony which was initiated by  Dr Amarendra Narayan Deb , former President of Darrang Zila Sahitya Sabha . Similarly  Pratap Bordoloi , Chairman , Mangaldai Municipal Board formally started the event of planting of one hundred no of saplings across the Mangaldai .

This was followed by a book release function where two books authored by Harendra  Rajbongshi , a State Government employee were released . Gurujyoti Das , Mangaldai Legislator released his book with  collection of stories titled “ Bakular Subashere Subashit Karangajanar Rati” while his other book “Sapon Kunwarir Sadhu” , a collection of tales for children was released by prominent cultural activist Swapan Kr Ghosh . The function compeered by Prafulla Deva Sarma , Secretary of the Publication committee of the organizers was attended by Dr Ram Chandra Deka , President , Darrang Zila Sahitya Sabha , Jatin Bhatta , President and Kalindra Barua , Chief Secretary of the centenary celebration committee among others . The first of the three day celebration also featured district level “Biya Naam”(wedding song) presentation contest  among women groups and lighting of one hundred no of lamps . Veteran singer Dr Anima Choudhury formally inaugurated the “Biya Naam” contest while the lighting of lamps ceremony was initiated by Khanindra Rajbongshi , President of AASU , Darrang District unit .

The open session scheduled from 11 am on December 23 in the district library auditorium will be graced by President of Asom Sahitya Sabha ,Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi  as the Chief Guest while Dr Samujjal Kr Bhattacharya will address the session as the appointed speaker . Several other  prominent persons including Padum Rajkhowa , Chief Secretary of Asom Sahitya Sabha , Dr Ram Chandra Deka , President , Darrang Zila Sahitya Sabha  , Deputy Commissioner , Darrang Ashok Kr Barman etc  , Superintendent of Police , Sreejith.Thiraviam , distinguished poet Neelim Kumar etc are going to attend these programmes as the invited guests as stated by Kalindra Barua , Chief Secretary of the organizing committee .