GUWAHATI, May 2 � May Day was observed across the State on Thursday. Our Correspondents report:
Mangaldai: International Workers� Day, also called the May Day, was observed in Mangaldai on Thursday along with the rest of the State. Hoisting of the organisational flag, smriti tarpan, plantation, traditional sports competitions among workers and an open session marked the daylong programme organised by the Sadou Mangaldai Nirman Shramik Santha on the Bir Chilarai Bhawan premises.
Speaking in the open session as the chief guest, Dr Rama Kanta Bora, writer, poet and social reformer, highlighted the historical background of May Day, which reflects the supreme sacrifice of the workers. While explaining the relevance of observing the day in the context of the modern times, Dr Bora pointed out that the red colour in the flag stands as a symbol of power and energy. He observed that in a developing country like India, workers, farmers and wage earners would continue to suffer from deprivation if corruption and financial anomalies were allowed to persist. He appealed to the workers to fight unitedly for their due rights.
The session, presided over by Sayedur Rahman, president of the Sadou Mangaldai Nirman Shramik Santha, was also addressed by senior educationist and the retired principal of Mangaldai College, Bisitra Kumar Medhi, who stressed on the need of better working conditions for workers, especially women engaged in construction activities.
The meeting, inaugurated by Jinkul Ali, former ward commissioner, was also addressed by leaders of the local workers� organisation Suraj Ali, Rezzak Hussain, social activist Sekhar Mazumdar, Asraf Ahmed and Tofajul Haque. Earlier, Atul Kalita, secretary of the Shramik Santha, explained the objectives of the meeting, which was attended by hundreds of people belonging to the working community.
NAGAON: May Day was observed in Nagaon under the auspices of the CPM and the Kerosene Hawkers� Association on Thursday. On the occasion, a meeting was held at Barabazar, the main market area of Nagaon town. Addressing the function, Prof Amarendra Sharma shed light on the labour struggle in the world. He appealed to the working class of the society to fight unitedly to get their dues. Abdul Salam, secretary of the Kerosene Hawkers� Association, conducted the function.
The Sadou Asom Gramya Puthibharal Santha, a leading NGO of the State, also observed May Day. A meeting, chaired by Balladev Sharma, secretary of the Santha, discussed the problems of child labour. It may be mentioned here that the Santha is running more than 100 schools for child workers in different parts of the district.
MORIGAON: Along with the rest of the world, International Labour Day was observed at Morigaon by several trade unions. On the occasion, the May Day flag was hoisted by Munin Mahanta, former MLA, Morigaon, at the CPI�s office at Morigaon. A procession was taken out by several workers� unions, which later converged at the Morigaon Bihutoli.
Later, a public meeting was held under the auspices of the Nirman Sramik Santha. Addressing the gathering, CPI leader Munin Mahanta dwelt at length on the significance of May Day. He appealed to the working class to strengthen its struggle against the capitalist forces of the world.
GAURIPUR: Under the auspices of May Day Cerebration Committee, Dhubri, May Day was observed at the Dhubri Children�s Park by organising a huge rally attended by hundreds of organised and non-organised members of different labour organisations.
The rally was addressed by Giasuddin Ahmed, former Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Prof TN Chakrabarty, Prof Pritosh Chanda, Ajhar Hussain and a few others.
The speakers called upon the workers to highlight the 13 demands of the various labour unions for extending the benefits of the ESI Act, Bonus Act, PF Act etc to the motor workers and the workers of the unorganised sector.
Reports of observance of May Day was also received from Bilasipara, Sapatgram, Gauripur and Tarmarhat areas of the district. A big procession was also brought out at Bilasipara to mark the occasion.
