By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: “In the last few years with the implementation of RTI in the country, we have big changes in every sphere. India is also on course of a big change from a stage of manipulation to a stage of accountability, transparency, responsibility and organizations like the Central Puja Committee (CPC) which is working unitedly makes this possible,” said Union Minister for State for Water Resources Vincent H Pala who was the chief guest at CPC’s valedictory function held at Bangiya Sahitya Parishad, Jail Road on Saturday evening.
Lauding the efforts of CPC he further said that CPC in its efforts to organize its activities has brought everybody together and that is all because of unity, dedication and hard work. “There is change from single lane to double lane to four lanes now. There is also change in education with RTE and in all other aspects of life. To cope with these changes, we have to be aware and I urge the CPC to work with the local authority and come up with youth training programmes for youth development,” said Mr Pala.
Deputy Chief Minister, Meghalaya Bindo M Lanong, said that the way CPC has handled and organized Durga Puja festival beautifully and effectively in the state for several years is laudable. “Every year the CPC adds something new in organizing the religious festivals and I would like to see if there can be a religious federation involving all religious bodies like we have in politics. I would urge the CPC if they can initiate this,” said Mr Lanong. He also applauded the efforts of CPC’s youth volunteers.
The evening started with opening songs by Gandhar (The Mother’s Creation), a city based socio-cultural organization led by the husband – wife duo of Pinak Hore and Sudipta Hore.
The evening also paid a tribute to Dr Bhupen Hazarika who expired on November 5 in Mumbai. Another city based cultural organization “Nritya Malanchya” presented dances by its artists on various Bengali and one Assamese score of Dr Hazarika as a tribute under the choreography of Devi Dhar.
Mr Hore also presented few scores of the balladeer, out of which one was a combination of Bengali and Assamese. Both these cultural organizations were presented with mementoes, later.
The CPC also conferred its “Sarad Sanman” award on five major personalities from the town. Hironmoy Dhar, an octogenarian and a resident of Jail Road; Dr Sylvanus Lamare, Principal, St Edmund’s College; Afzal Hossain, former theater baron; Uma Purkayastha, former principal, Jail Road Girls’ HS School and BB Chettri, involved with various religious and other organizations were conferred with the prestigious “Sarad Sanman” award.
Mrs Purkayastha was the lone female recipient of the award. The Sarad Sanman award which started last year was given away by the chief guest.
Special prizes were distributed under four categories of “Decoration”, “Illumination”, “Discipline” and “Cleanliness” were given to various Durga Puja pandals in the city in various groups which was decided by CPC’s competition sub-committee.
The judges of the CPC’s cmpetition sub-committee were also awarded at the function. Amalendu Dasgupta, convener, CPC’s competition sub-committee said, “CPC’s Drum Beat Competition which was started in 1993 is now observed in various pandals in Kolkata, too.” Special certificates and gifts were also awarded to the outstanding youth volunteers of CPC.
Others who spoke at the valedictory function were JL Das, General Secretary, CPC who gave the welcome address; presidential address by OP Agarwal, President, CPC and vote of thanks by DP Joshi, Vice-President, CPC.