OUR CORRESPONDENT
MANGALDAI: A jam-packed audience comprising of leading citizens, women activists, writers, cultural activists, media persons and members of different social organizations in Youth Club hall at Mangaldai on Thursday offered heartfelt homage to renowned cultural activist of the State, Dr. Mrinal Choudhury on his 67th birth anniversary. Dr Choudhury was also the president of premier cultural organization 'Yuva Teertha' and a poet, lyricist and a philanthropic medical entrepreneur.
A collection of 258 poems, mostly composed while being bed-ridden during treatment, named Hridayar Spondon, published by his wife Mira Choudhury of Sundaram Publications, and souvenir Herayo Herai Jowa Naai compiled by his close friend Dr. Manindra Das (Tito), were released in the function to mark the birth anniversary. Eminent poet, lyricist and writer Idris Ali released the poem collection while Mukul Chandra Deka –a prominent industrialist and a close friend of Dr Choudhury - released the souvenir. Idrish Ali in his speech described Dr Choudhury as not just an accomplished poet but also a philanthropic doctor and entrepreneur of repute with his active social work. He urged upon the people present to go through the book to feel the poetic expression of Dr Choudhury. Mukul Chandra Deka could not control his emotion in underlining the literary skill and talent of Dr. Choudhury and his nature of achieving the goal without disturbing anybody else.
Offering his homage, a renowned scholar and former professor of both Gauhati University and Tezpur Central University, Dr Pradip Jyoti Mahanta recalled his close association with Dr Choudhury since their youth while working in Akashvani, Guwahati in the popular youth programme Yuva Bani. He also recalled the involvement of Dr Choudhury in preservation and promotion of the traditional Assamese lullabies which are almost on the verge of extinction and the Bon Geets.
Senior journalist Bhargab Kumar Das, secretary of 'Yuva Tirtha Asam', Nilotpal Goswami, secretary of Mangaldai Sports Association, Anupam Deka, and other dignitaries also recalled the philanthropic and creative qualities of Dr Choudhury. In the function anchored by AIR announcer Pranjal Kumar Sharma, senior radio artistes Jibendra Mohan Deba Sharma, Ashim Jyoti Baruah and Debojani Sharma presented three songs composed by Dr. Choudhury.
Earlier, the bereaved wife, Mira Choudhury marked the beginning of the programme by lighting a lamp followed by the welcome speech by senior media person Mayukh Goswami while the function ended with the vote of thanks by the three daughters of Dr. Choudhury, namely Satarupa, Chandramallika and Ruptrishna.