MARIA'S PUBLIC SCHOOL

The 24th edition of Mofizuddin Ahmed Hazarika (MAH) Literary Fest came to an end with the Award Ceremony organized for the prize winners in various competitions. Held on August 31, 2024 at the NEDFi Auditorium the ceremony was graced by Mr Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, Ex-DGP, Govt of Assam presently the Chief Information Officer, Govt of Assam as Chief Guest, Mrs Indrani Rai Medhi, a prolific author, poet, journalist and columnist as Guest of Honour, Mrs Asfia Ahmed, former educationist, Mrs Nellie Ahmed, Founder and Managing Trustee, Maria’s Public School, Dr Mahfuza Rahman, retired Professor, Department of Geography, Cotton University, Asad Zaman, the prize winners and their parents, invited guests, Principal, Vice Principal, Academic Director, teachers and students of Maria’s Public School.

The welcome speech on the occasion was delivered by the Principal, Maria’s Public School Mausumi Mahanta wherein she spoke about the literary fest and its journey of twenty four years. Mr Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta spoke at length on various matters such as philosophy of humanism and egalitarianism in the works of Gyan Malini Kobi Mofizuddin Ahmed Hazarika, importance of holistic school education, respect towards one’s mother tongue etc. The Guest of Honour Mrs Indrani Rai Medhi spoke a great deal about creativity saying that ‘Creativity is not confined to only written work’ and that ‘a child must be led to grow on his own light’. She also said that schools like Maria’s Public School lead the child to follow his own path. Mrs Nellie Ahmed, Founder and Managing Trustee in her address to the gathering put emphasis on learning languages. Addressing the participants in the competitions she said, ‘Everyone who has come forward to take part is a winner as you have that creative streak in you. You have faith in yourself. And that’s what really matters.’ Mrs Asfia Ahmed, former educationist delved deep into the works of the Gyan Malini Kobi and spoke about the metaphysical element in his poetry. She also said that children are fortunate to have a platform like MAH Literary Fest to hone and showcase their talents.

The prizes to the elated winners were handed over by the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, the Founder and Managing Trustee, Maria’s Public School and Mrs Asfia Ahmed.

The ceremony was also embellished by scintillating dance, song, recitation and declamation (role play) performances by students of Maria’s Public School. The programme was anchored by Swapnali Mazumdar and Anubrat Borthakur — Head Girl and Head Boy of the school respectively and the prizes were announced by Mrs Irani Sarma Batra, Teacher, Department of English.

Worth mentioning that on August 30 the Mofizuzddin Ahmed Hazarika Memorial Kavya Award 2024 was conferred on much appreciated and celebrated Assamese poet and novelist Mr Nilim Kumar at Guwahati Press Club amidst an august gathering. This award was instituted in 2020, the 150th birth anniversary of the Gyan Malini Kobi to honour celebrated litterateurs in Assam to continue as a part of the annual literary fest.