[Assam] Defying boycott call, scribes celebrate R-Day

[Nava Thakuria]

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jan2808\City4

Defying boycott call, scribes celebrate R-Day
By A City Correspondent
 GUWAHATI, Jan 27 — In a dauntless show of determination to uphold the dignity of the tri-colour and defying the ULFA-KLO backed militant boycott call, the journalists fraternity celebrated the 59th Republic Day with great enthusiasm. Many writers and senior citizens joined the scribes at the Guwahati Press Club in observing the Day.

It may be mentioned here that a group of journalists and eminent writers of the State had appealed to the people a few days ahead of the Republic Day not to bow down before the militant diktat.

Veteran journalist Dhirendra Nath Chakravorty hoisted the tri-colour at the press club premises and appealed to the militants to give up violence and come back to the mainstream to ensure Assam’s smooth march to peace and prosperity.

Chakravorty said that the Republic Day had great relevance for the Indians as it symbolised the country’s resolution to script its own destiny. “The Indian independence also paved the way for the liberation of other Asian and African countries as a result of which about 150 crore of the world population could free themselves from colonial bondage,” said Chakravorty.

Chakravorty called upon the people to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs and inculcate love for the motherland.

The participants of the press club programme later took out a procession, which went through the main areas of the city.

The residents of the capital city hoisted the tri-colour in various localities. At Kumarpara Pachali, former judge of Gauhati High Court Jitendranath Sarma hoisted the National flag and urged the people not to comply with the orders of the militants. “Cowardice never pays,” said Sarma and added that the State was in need of brave people to march ahead. The programme here was organized by the Jai Hind Club in association with the local people. The students of Angels’ English school presented the National anthem on the occasion.

At Athgaon Pukhuripar, the Nagarik Committee of GMC ward no 19, Kumarpara Shanti Sabha Mahila Samity, Ward number 19 Women’s Cell and Athgaon Pukhuripar Youth Club jointly organized the celebrations with a day long programme that included various competitions amongst school children, felicitation of senior citizens and a cultural evening. The tri-colour was hoisted on the occasion by NK Choudhury, a social worker of the locality.