Sandip Dutta, head, Calcutta Little Magazine Study and Research Centre, addresses the audience at the inaugural ceremony of Little Magazine Study and Research Centre at the department of Bengali, Pragjyotish College. Dayananda Pathak, Pragjyotish College principal (seated) presided over the meeting. (below) Students of Nirmala Convent School, Damra, display a model of Agni-II at the school’s annual science exhibition Picture (above) by Pranab Kumar Nath

National workshop

A national seminar cum workshop on Rural Development in Assam: Problems and Prospects was held in Dibrugarh University recently, under the joint aegis of Dibrugarh University, Oil India Limited and DRDA. The basic theme of the workshop was the role of self-help groups and NGOs in rural development. Thirty-four research papers were presented during the seminar on rural development. Dibrugarh DC, Niraj Verma, inaugurated the seminar and Sushila Pathak, president, Centre for Development Studies and Action, New Delhi delivered the keynote address.

Eco seminar

The department of Economics of Dibrugarh University organised a national seminar on Rural Indebtedness in Northeast India — Pre and Post Liberalisation scenario on September 24 and 25 at the university campus, which was sponsored by NEDFI, NEC and NABARD. Sixty research papers were presented by researchers, which were inaugurated by Dibrugarh MP Paban Singh Ghatowar. Among those who participated in the seminar were the chief minister’s financial advisor Jayanta Madhav, Prof. R. Mehrotra, renowned economist, Prof. Atul Sarma, vice-chancellor of Arunachal University and economist, Prof. R.K. Choudhury of Gauhati University, Abhijit Sharma of IIBM.

Exhibition

The annual science exhibition of Nirmala Convent School, Damra, held recently laid out a fascinating display of objects and class projects by the students. The models represented different branches of science as well as fine arts and crafts. The exhibition was a reflection of the students’ novel ideas, creative abilities, hard work and dedication. Established in 1977, at present the Nirmala Convent School is run by missionary sisters of Mary Help of Christians. The school has so far made outstanding contributions in academic as well as extra-curricular activities.

Debate

A two-day programme on debate and essay contest and state-level seminar on Role of Khadi and Village Industries in Industrialisation of Assam was held at D.K. College, Mirza, recently. Sponsored by KVIC, Guwahati in association with Speed, a Guwahati-based NGO, the programme was presided over by D. Borah, principal of the college. P.C. Das, director, KVIC, Guwahati, D.D. Mali, chairman, Speed, D.R. Das, field officer of Vijoynagar branch of Central Bank of India and D. Goswami, senior lecturer of Economics, D.K. College, participated as resource persons.

Examination

The Secondary Board of Education, Assam (SEBA) recently decided to abolish the system of repeaters of high school leaving certificate and Assam high madarsa examinations, usually held in December every year. The board has also decided to hold both the regular and repeat examinations at a time in the month of February 2004 by the name of High School Leaving Certificate Examination with effect from 2004 examination. The compartmental examination for 2003 also will be held along with these examinations.

Compiled by
Pranab Kumar Nath
and Ripunjoy Das