Sahitya Akademi holds a programme at Dhekiajuli

HT Correspondent
BISWANATH CHARIALI, July 7: A national symposium and ‘Meet the Author’ programme of Sahitya Akademi was held at LOKD college, Dhekiajuli on Sunday. The inaugural session of the day-long programme began with kindling a lamp and reciting some Vedic hymns, by Him Sagar Upadhyaya which was followed by a chorus presented by the Gorkha Women Group. The president of Sonitpur Nepali Sahitya Sabha, Dilliram Khanal presided over the session. Dr Khemraj Nepal, member of the Nepali Advisory Board and coordinator of the event offered the welcome address on behalf of Sahitya Akademi. During his speech, he explained the aims and objectives of the programme initiated by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with Sonitpur district committee of Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha. He also pointed out some of the salient features of the symposium as well as the papers to be presented there. Guest of honour of the session, Guru Prasad Upadhyaya, former president of Sonitpur district committee, Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha, appreciated the organisers for undertaking the discussion on ‘Modern Indian Nepali Poetry’ as well as the ‘Meet the Author’ programme of the eminent poet Chhabilal Upadhyaya, the recent recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award in Nepali. Debraj Upadhyaya offered a vote of thanks at the end of the inaugural session. The first academic session started with three papers of Dr Daibaki Devi Timsina, Chandra Prasad Ghimire and Sudakshina Devi respectively while Gyan Bahadur Chhetri was in the chair. The second session was chaired by Dr Jamadagni Upadhyaya wherein three papers were presented by Mohan Subedi, Rebati Upadhyaya and Navaprabha Devi. Both the sessions were followed by an interactive session. The last and interesting session of the day-long programme was the ‘Meet the Author’ with Chhabilal Upadhyaya. At the outset of the session Dr Khemraj Nepal along with Biswajit Roy felicitated the author with a gamosa, khada and topi, etc. Dr Nepal also described in brief the life sketch of the author and recalled his contribution towards various aspects of Nepali literature as recorded in the brochure prepared by the Akademi. Author Chhabilal Upadhyaya expressed his gratitude towards the Akademi, Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha.