Sanjoy Ray
DHEMAJI, Feb 15 - The 70th conference of Asam Sahitya Sabha, the apex literary body of the State, began here at Sukapha Pathar Samannay Khetra today with thousands of people making a beeline for the venue since morning. Over 5,000 delegates from India and outside the country are expected to participate in the conference, of whom around 1500 have already reached the venue today. The rest who are expected to arrive on Sunday, include delegates from Japan, Thailand and China.
The session started with holding of 8th executive committee meeting around 11:30 am today which was followed by the inauguration of delegates camp by Dhemaji Deputy Commissioner Dr P Ashok Babu in the evening.
A cultural programme was also organized later in the evening. Various other programmes including staging of drama and Bhaona were organized throughout the evening.
Amiya Kumar Bhuyan, secretary general of the reception committee informed that the five-day Sabha session would see the release of as many as 18 books, besides some other literary works.
"We are leaving no stone unturned to make the event a successful one," said Bhuyan, adding that a budget of over Rs 1 crore has been earmarked for the event.
"People have already started pouring in, large numbers and we are expecting over 10 lakh visitors every day," said Bhuyan.
Dr P Ashok Babu, DC, Dhemaji, while talking to this correspondent, informed that fool-proof arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth functioning of the five-day Sabha session.
He further informed that over 300 additional police personnel have been deployed in view of the event.
A senior police official further informed that vehicular traffic movement is also being regulated to avoid any chaos and inconvenience of the delegates and the visitors.
Meanwhile, a reception committee member informed that Asam Sahitya Sabha president Kanak Sen Deka, who also attended the executive meeting today, would hoist the Sabha's flag tomorrow at 8:30 am.
The flag hoisting programme would be followed by Smriti Tarpan, inauguration of entrance gates of book fair, exhibition, trade fair, science fair, model village, art exhibition etc.
Our Dhemaji and Silapathar Correspondents add: So far 73 publishers of North-east - apart from National Book Trust and Standard Literature of Delhi and Suban of Calcutta had booked stalls for the session. The stalls of Assam Tourism Department, NF Railway, Handloom and Textiles Department, Department of Fisheries, Veterinary Department, Sericulture, DRDA, local NGOs, SHGs attracted large numbers of visitors.
Around 100 gates of associations, organisations, SHGs and local organisations along with main gate of the session and pandals of the session have attracted visitors, delegates and litterateurs.
Gelatine sticks recovered: Police today recovered five gelatine sticks from a Tata Sumo (AS-01 AC 8560) at Gilaguri under Dhemaji PS. This has created sensation among public here.
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