HT Correspondent
BISWANATH CHARIALI, Jan 4: The Samar Dalani branch of Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha (ANSS), under the Biswanath district unit, celebrated the 53rd foundation day of the organisation with a day-long programme at the conference hall of Dakhin Nagsankar HS on Saturday.
The celebrations began with the hoisting of the ANSS flag by branch president Churamoni Sarma, followed by a plantation drive and smriti tarpan. The open session, chaired by Churamoni Sarma, commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by village headman Premlal Dahal, accompanied by a devotional song performed by Damudar Baral. Dr Dhundiraj Upadhyaya, graced the occasion as a guest speaker.
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During the event, the branch committee felicitated four recipients of the recently awarded Yuva Lekhak Sanman—Anjan Baskota, Dr Dhundiraj Upadhyaya, Puja Acharya and Jugal Kishor Sarma. The Bani Ratnakar awardee Narad Upadhyaya and recipient of the state government’s literary pension award Purna Kumar Sarma were also honoured. ANSS life membership certificates were distributed to Churamoni Sarma, Ashok Dahal, Rishiraj Sarma, Hira Sarma, Lakhima Upadhyaya, Lila Kanta Sarma, Kamal Sarma, Puspa Dahal, and Narad Upadhyaya.
The open session was followed by a poets’ meet, featuring readings of self-composed poems by Gupta Sarma, Puspa Dahal, Sova Devi, Lakhima Upadhyaya, Parismita Devi, Debaki Bhandari, Padma Devi, Someswar Dhakal, Puja Acharya, Dr Dhundiraj Upadhyaya, Anju Devi, Rashmi Devi, Trishika Devi, Yuvangshi Devi, Premlal Dahal, and others.
Kamal Sarma’s Nepali short story collection ‘Khoji Priyako’ was unveiled by Shitya Akademi translation prize awardee Purna Kumar Sarma. The open session also featured addresses by Ananta Goutam, former vice-principal of Chhayduwar College, and other dignitaries.
Cultural programmes were presented by Devangshi Sarma, Parishmita Devi and Anushka Sarma.
