Gauhati Commerce College principal Ghanashyam Nath on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos

Aug. 17: The countdown to mark a glorious phase in the history of commerce education has begun.

The yearlong golden jubilee celebrations of Gauhati Commerce College, a premier institution of the Northeast, will begin with unfurling of the college flag and a cultural procession on September 10.

“It is a matter of pride for us that our college has braved all adversities to reach a milestone — 50 years,” principal Ghanashyam Nath said.

Nath said the celebrations would not affect the academic sessions. A temporary office has been set up to celebrate the jubilee smoothly on the campus. “We are planning to hold three national-level seminars during the celebrations. These seminars will cover themes on creation of reading habits in society, industrial development and students’ psychology,” said Utpal Sarma, a member of the golden jubilee celebration committee.

As part of the celebration, the college is also planning to facilitate interaction of entrepreneurs with the students.

During the celebrations, the college will also become a meeting ground of the alumni. During the past five decades, the college has produced scores of meritorious students who have made a name for themselves in different fields. Many of them are now chartered accountants, businessmen, advocates and bank employees. Some of the alumni of the college like Bhupen Uzir, Gopal Bodo, Anupam Choudhury, Niranjan Kalita have contributed to the state’s music field. “We have also kept provision to contact the alumni of the college. They can register their names through the website of the college,” Sarma said.

There is a prospect of artificial floods playing spoilsport. A smart shower is enough to inundate the classrooms of the college.

“We just hope and pray that the inaugural session of the celebration will not be marred by artificial floods,” said an official of the college.

Set up in 1962, Gauhati Commerce College has established itself as a distinguished education centre of the region. The college currently has more than 3,000 students in its higher secondary, under-graduate and post-graduate courses. It had a humble beginning in the arts building of Cotton College with only 300 students.