New Year revellers throng Sivasagar historic sites

SIVASAGAR, Jan 3 – Welcoming the New Year, thousands of revellers from various parts of the State thronged the historic sites of Sivasagar and its suburbs, the Talatalghar, Rongghar park, Joysagar tank site, Charaideo hills and picnic spots in picturesque Desangmukh, Dekhowmukh and Dehingmukh on December 31 and January 1.

Tourists who visit Sivasagar very often remark that inspite of the potentialities the town has not developed the way it should have over the years. Asked what are the major problems the local tourists face in the town, a group of tourists from Bokakhat told this correspondent that there are no cheap recreation centres where they can refresh and avail of lavatory facilities. The restaurants near Joysagar are not upto the mark and ill maintained ones. The adjacent paddy fields are not suitable places for picnickers as there in no drinking water supply system as well as cooking areas. It may be mentioned here that the Yatri Nivas, built by Sivadol development committee for providing recreational facilities and lodging facilities to tourists and devotees to historic Sivadol is now occupied by the trading communities who had shops earlier in the area. The dol development committee, municipality board and district administration must sort their problems out speedily to free the Yatri Nivas from the traders as the building built at a huge cost is not now under utilised.

DU youth festival: Dibrugarh University inter-college youth festival, 2009 will be held in Sivasagar college, Joysagar on January 9, 10 and 11, the premier college in upper Assam has almost completed preparations for the mega event which will showcase the talents of about 130 colleges students under Dibrugarh University besides the PG classes in the University in 31 art, music and literary disciplines. Briefing a media meet recently in the college, Dr Prakash Kotoky, principal of the college said that more than 1500 participants will participate in the festival besides teachers leading their respective teams.

Dilip Das, convenor, cultural committee said that the maximum numbers of participants in chorus, one-act play and group dance will be 6, 9 and 10 respectively. Siva Singha Konwar, convenor, Finance Committee said in the meeting that the registration fee per participant is Rs 150 while the teams will have to deposit Rs 500 as security money which is refundable. The colleges must have prior permission from the University before joining the festival by depositing Rs 200. The female participants must be accompanied by at least one lady teacher.

The Vice-Chancellor of DU, Dr Kandarpa Kumar Deka will inaugurate the festival which will be attended by hosts of eminent educationists and artists of the State.