BARPETA, Dec 16 � Formal preparations of the 72nd convention of Asam Sahitya Sabha got under way at Barpeta Road in Barpeta district with the erection of the lai khuta of the convention venue.
Bashishtha Dev Sarma Satradhikar of historical Barpeta Satra erected the lai khuta at Biswaratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Kshetra this morning in the presence of a large gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, the veteran Vaishnavite saint expressed the hope that being held in the holy month of Aghun in the Assamese almanac this convention will be a successful one and will definitely be able to spread new rays in the history of Assamese literary movement.
GL Agarwala, president of the reception committee, said that Barpeta Road is a symbol of integrity among people of different castes and creed living here for years together and this spirit will be strengthened by the successful organisation of the Sahitya Sabha convention. Elated over the huge gathering on the ocassion of the erection of the lai khuta today, Agarwala was very much optimistic of the success of convention and stated that this convention will be remembered in the history of Asam Sahitya Sabha a unique one to be staged.
Participating in the meeting, State Minister of Transport and Tourism Chandan Brahma informed that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has directed all the relevant departments to assist and cooperate with the preparation work of Asam Sahitya Sabha convention.
Similarly, BTAD chief Hagrama Mahilary has also assured all kinds of necessary support to this convention. Brahma assured that he will take necessary steps to run ASTC buses from all nearby places during the days of the convention and requested the reception committee to inform the routes.
�The 72nd Barpeta Road convention of Asam Sahitya Sabha will prove that Assam is a heaven of study of literature,� said Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi, secretary, Asam Sahiya Sabha. Addressing the gathering Dr Rajbongshi informed that the National Book Trust and Sahitya Akademi have agreed to send four reputed litterateurs each to this convention. Besides, Sangeet Natak Akademi has consented to dispatch at least six cultural troupes from across the country to perform in this convention.
He also informed that he had met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi last evening and the latter assured all kinds of help and cooperation from the government side.
MLAs of Barpeta, Sarbhog and Bijni Abdur Rahim Khan, Ranjit Kumar Das and Kamal Sing Narzary were also present and addressed the gathering.
Ranjit Kumar Das and Abdur Rahim Khan donated an amount of Rs 1 lakh each to the coffer of the reception committee.
Earlier, the Sabha flag was hoisted by GL Agarwala and tribute to the departed souls was paid by Sakina Khatun, a well-known literary figure.
