Uncertainty looms large over holding of Rabindra Mela

Hailakandi, December 26, 2018:

A meeting was convened by Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan with the Rabindra Mela Organizing Committee in attendance of principals, head teachers and other prominent citizens on Tuesday to sort out pertinent issues that have acted as stumbling blocs to holding the fair.

The meeting discussed threadbare the Gauhati High Court order asking for holding of the fair after board, HS and other exams get over by mid March next. On a case filed by a local resident, the high court passed the order.

The principals and head teachers of different government and provincialised educational institutions opined that holding of the month-long fair would cause disturbance to the students preparing for matriculation, higher secondary and other examinations. They pleaded for holding the fair in mid-March when the examination season is virtually over. However, the members of the organizing committee insisted on holding the fair in January citing various reasons.

The meeting also discussed the constitution of a new organizing committee, as the term of the present committee headed by former MLA Rahul Roy has expired. DC Khan made it categorically clear that election be held to constitute a new committee before the fair, as it would otherwise lead to controversies. He said the administration will extend all possible support and cooperation for conducting the fair if a new committee is elected by then.

Conceptualized by former MLA of Katlicherra, late Santosh Kumar Roy more than three decades ago, the fair is organized annually to perpetuate the ideals of literary icon Rabindranath Tagore. The fair has turned out to be a symbol of integration as it cuts across the barriers of caste, creed and religion.