Silchar: Two new books—Chorar Khoje by Archana Das and Shaheeder Jama Akashe Uddin by Ashutosh Das—were released on Wednesday evening at the Madhyashahar Sanskriti Samiti Hall. The volumes have been published by Natun Diganta Prakashani, run by Mita Das Purkayastha.

The books were unveiled by senior journalist Haran Dey, ophthalmologist Dr. Shishir Kumar Biswas, Assam University professor Dr. Biswatosh Chowdhury, Prof. Bela Das, Prof. Alauddin Mandal, social worker Kasturi Home Choudhury, and Matri Bhasha Suraksha Samiti president Sunil Roy.

Prof. Bela Das lauded the poetic richness of the works and said book release functions are uplifting occasions that celebrate creativity, though lamented that fewer people now read or purchase books. She stressed the need to cultivate reading habits and highlighted the challenges faced by writers and publishers.

Dr. Chowdhury spoke on the difficulties publishers once faced and described the process of book printing. He urged people to support literature by buying and reading more books and praised Mita Das Purkayastha for her dedication. Dr. Biswas also commended her role.

Haran Dey called the publication of new poetry and rhyme collections in the Barak Valley “a courageous step,” given the financial constraints and limited readership in the region. He expressed hope that Natun Diganta Prakashani would continue to nurture fresh voices and strengthen the area’s literary tradition.

The programme opened with an inaugural song by Debasmita Purkayastha. Poet Satadal Acharjee also praised the publisher’s initiative. The event was conducted by Mita Das Purkayastha.

Among those present were Sujit Kumar Das, Parimal Karmakar, Jayanti Karmakar, Ashutosh Das, Kallol Choudhury, Satananda Bhattacharjee, Sharmistha Das, Srabani Sarkar, Ipshita Deb, Manashi Sinha, Mohajir Hussain Choudhury, Samar Bijoy Chakraborty, Taz Uddin Barbhuiya, and Shanku Sharma.

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