JAGIROAD, May 7 - The Morigaon district unit of Asom Nepali Sahitya Sabha in association with the Sitajakhala Milk Producers� Cooperative Society organised a commemorative meeting on Karmayogi Nandalal Upadhyaya on his 86th birth anniversary on May 5.
The meeting, which was chaired by Krishnalal Sarma, president of the district unit of the Sabha, began with offering of floral tributes before the portrait of late Upadhyaya by the invited guests and the audience present.
At the outset, the organisers also offered special felicitation to Iswari Upadhyaya, spouse of late Nandalal Upadhyaya.
Speaking on the occasion as the guest of honour, Durga Khatiwara, president of Asom Nepali Sahitya Sabha and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award for translation, recalled the sterling contributions of late Upadhyaya to the socio-cultural life of the people around him and his stewardship in giving shape to the Sitajakhala Milk Producers� Cooperative Society, which has already carved a niche for itself in the state�s economy.
He fondly recalled the role played by late Upadhyaya in strengthening the current landscape of the Nepali literary movement in the state by bringing both the Nepali Sahitya Parishad and Nepali Sahitya Sabha on a single platform.
Tarun Chandra Talukdar, an eminent drama director, speaking on the occasion as the invited guest, recalled a number of anecdotes relating to late Upadhyaya as ample testimony to his involvement with the social and cultural landscape around him. He was the chief architect behind the formation of a number of institutions in and around Jagiroad, including the Jagiroad College, the Sitajakhala Milk Producers� Cooperative Society and the Jagiroad Sports Association. The society owes a lot to him and the void left by him can never be filled, he felt.
The meeting was also addressed by Dr Dipak Jyoti Baruah, secretary of Jagiroad Sakha Sahitya Sabha as a special guest. In his speech, Dr Baruah commented that more than a political personality, Upadhyaya was a social activist and involved himself in social activities passionately. He could draw support from all sections of people cutting across party affiliation, sex and faith.
Others who spoke at the meeting included Mitradev Sarma and Dr Indu Prabha Devi.
Ram Upadhyaya, secretary of Morigaon district unit of Asom Nepali Sahitya Sabha subsequently offered the vote of thanks.
