HAILAKANDI, Nov 30 - The week-long Hailakandi Book Fair-2015 of Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sanmilan got under way on Saturday in the premises of Government VM HS School here. It was inaugurated by the in-charge vice chancellor of Assam University of Silchar, Dr Debashis Bhattacharjee by lighting the lamp.
The Commissioner of Excise and Transport, Samsher Singh attended the inaugural function as chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhattacharjee reiterated the need of reading books for gathering knowledge. He said that the data may be collected from the internet but the knowledge only can be acquired through books of different tastes. He stressed the need of organising more such book fairs frequently to attract the young generation including the students. He said that this will definitely create a bridge between writers and readers and will also encourage the people to purchase the books.
Samsher Singh in his address said that the book is a very good friend of people and it plays an important to mould one�s life. The development of a civilization depends mostly on the books. He urged the people to nurture the habit of reading despite busy schedule of life and also in the era of information technology.
Other speakers also stressed on the need of reading the books and held the view that this may minimise the degradation of the society to some extent in this present critical juncture.
The inaugural function, presided over by the president of Hailakandi district committee of the sanmilan, Dr Paritosh Chandra Dutta, was also addressed by Additional Deputy Commissioner, FR Laskar, veteran educationist, Bijoy Kumar Dhar, president of the central committee of the sanmilan, Nitish Bhattacharjee, general secretary, Gautam Prasad Dutta, Subrata Purkayastha among others. Some government stalls have also been installed in the book fair premises apart from the book stalls of various book sellers and publishers. The fair will continue till December 4 next. Various cultural functions, seminar, discussions etc., will also be organised on the occasion.
Earlier, a procession was taken out on the occasion to create awareness among the common people regarding the reading and purchasing of books.
