GUWAHATI, Jan 30 � Over 20 elderly writers and an equal number of poets and novelists of the city today took a pledge to work for the establishment of an enlightened and liberal society purging the present society �crippled with corruption, terrorism, political maladministration and intellectual dishonesty.�
The writers, who assembled at the formal function organized for taking over of charge by the newly-elected executive committee of Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Sahitya Sabha, also made an earnest appeal to over a lakh members of Asam Sahitya Sabha to rise above �all petty considerations and narrow loyalty� and to work with efficiency, determination and goodwill to build up a robust and vibrant tradition for a new and emergent Assamese literature.
The outgoing president, DN Chakravartty, in his valedictory address, called upon the young Assamese writers not to tread the old and hackneyed path of pessimism and frustration but to carve a new path in which a new band of writers would �sing the tune of a new era instead of wailing for the lost heritage�.
Short story writer Riju Hazarika, while taking over charge as president, made a solemn commitment that Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Sahitya Sabha (KMZSS) would hold the �banner of upsurge of the downtrodden community and would try to wean away the tradition Assamese writers from the rut of narrow allegiance to caste community and religion�.
KMZSS secretary Dimbeswar Pathak, who has been re-elected, in his address, dwelt at length on the major achievements of the Sabha during the last two years.
Several members, including Pabitra Kalita, Durgeswar Pathak, Jagadish Sarma, Hemen Talukdar, Karuna Barman, Daso Kalita and Bishnu Deka, in their speeches, expressed the hope that KMZSS would � besides ventilating the hopes and aspirations of the people � would forever strive to uphold the cause of ancient Kamrup in general and undivided Kamrup district in particular.
