“As we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, there is a need to deeply reflect on how we have contributed to nation building. We must all make efforts towards making India the number one country in the world. In the next 25 years, the onus is on us to build a nation that is free of poverty and hunger”. This was stated by the Governor of Assam and Chancellor of Cotton University Gulab Chand Kataria while addressing an inaugural function of a cultural extravaganza organised to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by Cotton University today. The event was organised by the varsity with support from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Assam and Bengali Sahitya Sabha, Assam. Head of the Bengali Department of Cotton University, Dr. Prasanta Chakraborty was the convenor of the event.
“We are indeed fortunate to be celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Freedom did not come easy to us. It came at the cost of the tireless efforts and sacrifices made by people in their own ways. Cotton College (erstwhile) has also played an instrumental role in not only educating students, but in sowing the seeds of the freedom struggle and motivating them to join the cause for India’s independence against British rule.”
Also present on the occasion, Education Adviser to the Govt of Assam, Nani Gopal Mahanta in his address said, “India’s struggle for freedom was not merely a struggle against colonialism or imperialism. It was a struggle to achieve political justice and a social movement led by people, communities and tribes to unite India”.
“Western scholars had once predicted that democracy would not survive in this nation. But these predictions were put to rest as India proved its strength and resilience. The strength of this great nation lies in the saga of its rich history and cultural traditions and the saga of unity that binds different communities, ethnic groups and people speaking different languages,” he added.
Vice Chancellor of Cotton University Ramesh Chandra Deka, in his address, said, “We are fortunate to be a part of a nation that boasts of a splendid amalgamation of languages and cultures. The cultural program organised to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav will enable us to experience the essence of Assamese, Bengali, l, Hindi and Sanskrit languages”. The inaugural programme ended with a vote of thanks by the Registrar of Cotton University, Dr Arindam Garg. It was followed by a cultural extravaganza in different languages. Invited artists Diganta Bharati, Rupam Bhuyan, Ranjan Bezbaruah, Bhaswati Bharati and Nahid Afrin enthralled the audience with their performances. The programme was well attended by members of the Bengali Sahitya Sabha, faculty members, staff and students of Cotton University.
