The Department of English, Dibrugarh University celebrated its Golden Jubilee on November 3 and 4, 2017 with immense spirit and enthusiasm. Various competitions and events were organized to mark the occasion with a special focus on celebrating literature as a field of study that continues to hold relevance in addressing many contemporary concerns.
The celebrations were flagged off on a rousing note with an inaugural session where a talk on 'Literature and Reality' was delivered by eminent writer Shri Arup Kumar Dutta, author of works such as ‘The Ahoms’, 'The Anagarikota's Swansong’, among other works of fiction and non-fiction. Professor Karabi Deka Hazarika, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dibrugarh University, inaugurated the session.
This was followed by a number of events comprising of Literary Quiz, Poetry Slam and Flash Fiction Competition, Poetry Recitation Competition, Art Competition, Short Story Competition, Street Play Competition, Unplugged Music Competition, as well as a Debate Competition on the topic 'Literature is not Merely Personal Expression, but Involves Social Obligation'. Noted Assamese poet, Shri Jiban Narah presented an impassioned discourse on 'Literature, Society and Identity'. A Cultural event was also organized in which students of the Department showcased their talents in various ways.
A local band Meraki performed cover versions of some popular Assamese songs including some self compositions. The function rounded off on a scintillating note with the staging of a few memorable scenes from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', including improvised renditions of the immortal 'To be or not to be' soliloquy, enacted by students of the Department under the active guidance and mentoring by noted award-winning Assamese playwright, Shri Ashim Sharma.
