HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Oct 14: Margherita Samabai Samity (Cooperative Society), formed in 1973/1974 on September 8, celebrated its golden jubilee with full gaiety and fervour at the Margherita India Club Auditorium.
The program began with the hoisting of the golden jubilee celebration flag by Rajendra Rai, chairman of Margherita Samabai Samity, followed by smriti tarpan performed by Rubul Phukan, vice president of Margherita Samabai Samity.
After that, saplings were planted by Swapan Nag, secretary of Tingrai Samabai Samity.
A cultural program was held, inaugurated by Nripen Neog, president of the reception committee, where the Mache Gaon Sanmilito Diha Naam group marked the start of the event.
Following this, an open session was presided over by Rajendra Rai, where many renowned and distinguished individuals, including Sailen Baruah, president of Samonboi Rakshi All Assam Samabai Samity, advisor Tarani Lakhar, former registrar CK Hazarika, All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad Central Committee president Kailash Kumar Gupta, Margherita Anchalik Panchayat former president Sukhdev Sharma, Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma’s fan club president, and social worker Jyotish Rai, were present at the Golden Jubilee celebration.
In his speech, Sailen Baruah said that on September 8, 1974, the then chief minister of Assam, Sarat Chandra Singha, first introduced the Samabai Samity system in Assam, which has since expanded to 832 Samabai Samities across the state.
“Earlier, the Samabai Samity used to provide rice, sugar, flour, kerosene, edible oils, and pulses to all beneficiaries. Now, only rice is distributed, and many Samabai Samities have not received their dues from the Assam government for many years. We still hope that all outstanding payments will be cleared one day,” said Sailen Baruah.
Following this, all board members of Margherita Samabai Samity, including the presidents and secretaries of Tirap, Jagun, Ledo, Ketetong, Lailpuli, Talap, Dangri, Borbil, and Tingrai Samabai Samity, were felicitated with a traditional Assamese phulam gamosa and a felicitation letter.
The entire program was moderated by Rubul Phukan, vice president of Margherita Samabai Samity.