MUSHALPUR, Aug 26 - The 74th Balidan Divas was observed at Khairani, Nayabasti in Baksa on August 25 to commemorate the martyrdom of Major Durga Malla who was hanged to death by the British at Red Fort on this day in 1944 for his anti-British activities as the Major of Netaji-led Indian Azad Hind Fauz during the Indian Freedom Movement.
The Balidan Divas was organised with a two-day programme which began with mass cleanliness drive and hoisting of flag by Harsha Bahadur Magar, president of Durga Malla Smriti Sangha, Khairani. It was followed by plantation, drawing competition, essay writing competition and singing and dancing contest on August 24.
The concluding day�s programme included mass cleanliness, lighting of wicks at the statue of Durga Malla and garlanding. After poem recitation, the open session started under the chairmanship of Harsha Bahadur Magar. Prithibilash Bhattarai, secretary of Assam Gorkha Sammelan inaugurated the open session which was graced by Sahitya Akademi awardee Bikram Bir Thapa and a host of distinguished guests from ethnic literary bodies, student organisations and social organisations graced the session.
