MANGALDAI, March 23 - Office-bearers of the three-day centenary celebration of Kalita Janagosthi Sanmilan of undivided Darrang district promised to maintain its non-political character in all spheres of the celebration even though there is every possibility of different political parties trying to use this ready-made public platform for its own narrow political gain in view of the ensuing general elections in the State.
In reply to a question by this Correspondent, president Ramani Kanta Saharia and general secretary Kandarpa Kalita of the celebration committee said that the celebration committee was constituted with office-bearers representing diverse political ideologies and party affiliation though we are united under the banner of the Sanmilan with common objectives and a non-political character.
�We are maintaining our non-political character and have never placed any demand before any political party. We promise to stick to this stand during the days of the celebration.�
�We have nevertheless invited political leaders who may deliver speeches. But they will not be allowed to use this platform for their personal political gain,� the office-bearers clarified.
Meanwhile, the Sanmilan which claims to represent nearly one lakh families of the Kalita community of the erstwhile Darrang district, has organised its centenary celebration at Dhanapati Kalita, Gangaram Saharia and Sonaram Kalita memorial stage at Managaldai Sanatan Dharmasabha with a three-day programme since Saturday last.
The celebration got off to a start on Saturday morning with a cleanliness drive followed by different traditional rituals like lighting of earthen lamps, recitation of the Bhagawat, hoisting of 101 organisational insignia.
The celebration also featured many other social, cultural and academic programmes, including two different open sessions, academic seminar, cultural rally, cultural evenings, exhibition and book fair, and felicitation of selected persons of the Kalita community from different fields.
