A CORRESPONDENT
DOOMDOOMA: The 22nd biennial conference of Tinsukia District Journalists Association (TDJA) held at the Late Parag Bhuyan Xuoroni Kshetra, Anchalik Sanskritik Sangha auditorium, Kakapather under the auspices of Kakapather Press Club and with active co-operation of various parties and organizations, concluded recently with open session held under the president ship of Dr Rishi Das.
The programme got underway with inauguration of the Late Parag Bhuyan Xuoroni Kshetra by Xatradhikar Chakreswar Mahanta of Hatigarh Mayamora Molani Xatra, which was followed by various competitions on art, sculpture and news writing inaugurated by leading cultural and social activist Bipul Phukan. After that, as a part of the programme on 'Oh Amar Gaon', the journalists made a tour of the neighbouring villages. On second day of the conference, a marathon race from Dirak Chariali to Kakapather was inaugurated by child sculptor Hemantaraj Moran of Bishnu-Jyoti Child Development Centre, Rongajan. Thereafter, Dr Rishi Das, president of TDJA, hoisted the flag while Ranajyoti Neog, secretary of TDJA, paid tribute to the martyrs.
Kamal Talukdar, vice-president, Assam Union of Working Journalists (AUWJ), South-east zone, offered floral tributes to the life-size cut-out of journalist Parag Bhuyan. The old and new poets' meet was inaugurated by Arjun Baruah, president of Tinisukia Zila Xahitya Xabha. Dr Meena Devi Baruah, a leading poet, addressed the gathering as appointed speaker. The delegate session held thereafter with the president of TDJA in the chair, was inaugurated by Keshab Kalita, president of AUWJ. The delegates were addressed by Tutumoni Phukan, secretary of AUWJ, who apprised the delegates about various aspects of the four latest wage codes passed by the Central Government. A new executive committee for 2021 - 2023 was elected with Anuj Kalita as president, Ranajyoti Neog as secretary and Dinesh Goyal as treasurer.
On the concluding day, besides holding various competitions on song and dance, the open session that was held under the president ship of Dr Rishi Das was inaugurated by Keshab Kalita, president of AUWJ, while Tutumoni Phukan, secretary of AUWJ, addressed the gathering as appointed speaker. In the meeting, Dipak Bora, the Netaipukhuri correspondent of a vernacular daily, was awarded the Bhadrakrishna Goswami Memorial Award. Goswami was the founder president of TDJA.
Rina Kakaty Gogoi was awarded the Parag Bhuyan commemorative award and Krishna Kanta Gohain was awarded the Forest Conservation and Protection Award by Kakapather Press Club. Saroj Gohain, newly-appointed chairman of Muttack Autonomous Council, who was the president of Tinsukia Press Club, was felicitated in the meeting for his new assignment.