The celebrations witnessed the participation of over 80 people including tiny tots from the Emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. The programme was also enjoyed by a few guests who were in UAE visiting their relatives and friends – they were Hari Narayan Borah & his son Trailokya Borah, Syed Tahsinul Haque and his wife Syeda Sadika Haque, Chandra Majinder Baruah and his wife Anjali Baruah – all from Guwahati. The guests also included Tajgir Rahman, his wife Yasmin and daughter Tisha from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The idea of a college in upper Assam was first mooted at the 13th session of the Assam Students’ Conference held at Tezpur way back in 1928. Education doyen Tulsi Narayan Sharma pursued the fledgling concept to its fruition two years later. Under his initiative some citizens espousing the cause met at the Chandrakanta Handique Bhavan and resolved to start the ‘Upper Assam College’ in 1930. The name was subsequently changed to ‘Jorhat College’ by which the institution was known till June 25, 1938.

Scores of Assamese students staying at different places in Delhi celebrated Sri Sri Saraswati puja in the Sewa Kutir Complex of North Delhi on the 4th of February. Following the rituals of Assamese society, the students assembled at the puja venue to offer worship to the goddess of Knowledge. As the sun rose lighting up the world for a new day, the students decorated the Puja venue with colourful flowers creating an aromatic environment full of fragrance that magnatised the passers by to turn their heads

Speaking on the topic ‘Regional aspirations in national media,’ Goswami was of the view that issues from some parts of the country did not figure in the priority list of national media. This was because of the inability of mediapersons to effectively ‘push a story.’

He cited the recent violence perpetrated by security personnel in Kamakhya and said that the incident was not highlighted the way it should have been. Placing the blame on opinion-makers and political leaders, he said that they have failed to project regional concerns in the national limelight.

Dr. H.T. Sangliana , Member of Parliament was present on the occassion as a chief guest. The event commenced with mezi projwolon, followed by games like tekeli bonga, koni juj etc. The cultural programme preceded immeditely. It comprised of bihu songs & dance, modern song, drama and western dance. People were mesmerized by the amazing performance of Jitul Sonowal, one of the pioneers of modern assamese songs. The program was concluded by a rock concert by a group of talented artist.

The inaugural film was Kaalsandhya by latre Bhabendra Nath Saikia , other films which were screened in the festivals are Jahnu Barua's "Firingoti'', Santwana Bardoloi's "Adajya'' (The Flight), Manju Bora's "Laaz'', Sanjib Hazarika's "Matsyagandhya'' (Outrage), Jwangdoa Bodosa's ``Hagramayo Jinahari'' (Rape in the Virgin Forest) and Sanjib Sabhapandit's ``Juye Poora Xoon'' (The Self Triumphs). All the film had English sub title during screening.

The armed forces in Assam and other areas of the North East are protected by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA). To call this Act merely unreasonable or undemocratic would amount to praise it. It is so savage and atrocious that it is difficult to find any adjective to describe it. The powers that it gives to security personnel are immense. It is currently in force in the northeastern States like Assam and Manipur declared as ‘disturbed area’. That dec! laration is done by the Governor (or the Administrator of a Union Territory or the Central Government).

Today was the grand finale and for the last time in Andheri Sports Complex, the two ‘SaReGaMaPa’ finalists, Debojit and Vinit, fought in the musical mahayuddh and Debojit emerged victorious
North voted 1 crore 55 lakhs, East Zone voted around 3 crore, West and South less than 1 crore !!

Although the English spelling of the State had been a matter of contention for some time, the Cabinet took a decision to hold a discussion on it following the article written by litterateur Chandra Prasad Saikia in a recent issue of the magazine Goriyosi. In the article Saikia advocated a change in the spelling and proposed Axom in place of Assam.
As far as the letters ‘s’ or ‘x’ in the spelling is concerned, the Cabinet informed that it would be open to suggestions from all quarters. But for the time being ‘Asom’ will be the effective spelling, it added.

Assam has its own identity whenever we talk of tradition and culture. It is a land of many tribes and all of them have different folk dances. To showcase some of the folk tradition of the state a programme titled ' Brahmaputra Beats' was organized in India International Centre , New Delhi on 25 th and 26th February. The programme includes dances on folk orchestra and an Ankiya Naat titled Parijat Haran.