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SILCHAR, Jan 30: The 67th Gandhi Mela and exhibition, organized by the Silchar Municipality Board, was inaugurated by well–known teacher and an educationist, Sumitra Dutta here this evening. Traditionally every year the fair flags off on January 30 in remembrance of the day when the father of the Nation was gunned down.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Sumitra Dutta dwelt on the history of the fair. She said that the fair was one of the biggest and popular in the north east region. In the present moment of unrest and restlessness across the country, Dutta underlined the importance of adequate security in the premises of the fair to avoid any possibilities of any untoward incidents.

She took the opportunity to throw the light on the life of the 'father of the nation' who sacrificed his life in service of the nation. Dutta further expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for inviting herto inaugurate the prestigious fair. Sushmita Dev, chairperson, Silchar Municipality Board and the incumbent MLA, said that unlike other years the Mela would fully get started by February 1. Earlier, the fair, which is supposed to get started from January 30, is used to begin by last week of February which earned strong criticism from all the quarters. Dev said that this time she took firm standpoint to ensure the full fledged beginningof the fair by due date and conclude it within a limited time frame. Otherwise, the high school and higher secondary examinees faced lots of problems due to the loud sounds of microphones, blaring out sizzling Hindi and Bengali songs, in the fair.

Among others present at today's inaugural functionincluded Badal Dey, president, District Sports Association, Silchar, DipakBhattacharjee, former MLA, Babul Hore, secretary, Silchar DSA, Sourindra Bhattacharjee, former lecturer, Sampa Dhar, ward commissioner and the secretary of the fair. At the outset, all the dignitaries offered floral tribute to the temporary statue of Mahatma Gandhiin the fair premises. From a hairpin to cosmetics andornaments, besides all sorts of items and goods, as well as sweet and sumptuous dishes, a visitor will have everything to see and relish. The fast food and cuisines of all tastes will be there like every other year to add to the variety of a fair. (SentinelAssam)