HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Jan 20: The historic campus of Darrang College, Tezpur was steeped in nostalgia on Sunday as former students from different generations came together for an alumni reunion organised by the Darrang College Alumni Association.
Among those present were 93-year-old Mahendra Nath Keot and Dr Biswaranjan Kalita, 92-year-old Gokul Goswami and senior former students including retired professor Joy Narayan Luitel, Ananda Barua, Minu Devi and Purneswar Nath. Former Education Minister and ex-student leader Brindaban Goswami, veteran actress Krishna Das Nath, noted singer Loknath Goswami, popular actors Chetana Das, Arun Nath and Jyoti Bhuyan of Birkodar Baruar Biya fame, senior journalist Atanu Bhuyan, Jayanta Deka, noted writer Binita Bora Dev Choudhury, along with former minister and present Mangaldoi MLA Basanta Das were also among the distinguished alumni who attended the programme.
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The reunion was marked by emotional moments as former classmates met after decades, exchanging warm embraces and sharing memories from their college life. The college auditorium came alive with songs, recitations and cultural performances presented by the alumni themselves.
The formal programme began with the hoisting of the Alumni Association flag by its president, retired administrative officer Dhrubajyoti Das. Senior alumni Mahendra Nath Keot and Dr Biswa Ranjan Kalita paid homage to national martyrs by lighting lamps at the martyrs’ altar. As a symbolic gesture of remembrance and continuity, saplings were planted on the campus by former students including retired professor Dr Khageswar Borkakati, Minu Devi, Aswini Sharma and Hemanta Goswami.
The main session at the auditorium was inaugurated by retired professor Ananda Barua through the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The programme opened with a soulful rendition of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s song “Tore More Alokore Jatra… Swagat Satirtha”, led by noted musician Simanta Kakati and collectively performed by the alumni.
In his welcome address, Alumni Association president Dhrubajyoti Das spoke about the enduring bond between the institution and its students. The present principal of the college, Dr Palash Moni Saikia, also addressed the gathering. A commemorative volume titled Smriti Lekha, edited by Mahendra Kumar Nath, Dwijen Nath and Dr Dulal Chandra Das was formally released by senior alumni on the occasion. Several noted alumni, including Gokul Goswami, Mahendra Nath Keot, Biswa Ranjan Kalita, Brindaban Goswami, retired professor Purneswar Nath and Dr Gahan Chandra Mahanta, shared nostalgic reflections on their college days.
An interactive session moderated by Pankaj Barua, Rashmirekha Hazarika, Mayur Gopendra Das and Rupam Jyoti Nath, under the guidance of Shantanu Mahanta, added warmth and intimacy to the gathering.
The evening cultural programme featured group renditions of Borgeet, Jyoti Sangeet and songs of Bishnuprasad Rabha, Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, conducted by alumnus and singer Pranjal Barua. Each alumnus was felicitated with a specially crafted memento designed by noted Tezpur-based sculptor and craftsman Digantaraj Bhuyan, along with a copy of the commemorative volume.
