Assam Literary Translation Award Announced. Distribution Ceremony On October 9, 2011.

Amulya Kumar Chakravarty Memorial Trust, Guwahati will present the fifth Literary Translation Award-2011 on October 9, 3pm, at the Veterinary College Auditorium, Khanapara,Guwahati. The honors will go to another well known author-translator of Assam--the final winner is being selected by a distinguished panel of writers  from a few worthy nominations.

Official announcement has already been made and this year's Award goes to noted author-translator Prafulla Kataky. The Award consists of certificates and a cash prize.

My father, Amulya Kumar Chakravarty, had been our greatest teacher  in principles of honesty, efficiency and simple living-high thinking since our childhood days.  Today we are very grateful and thankful to him, and are proud to be able to lead our lives the way he so ardently desired. At a time when corruption is ruling the roost and movements launched against this evil, we remember our father for enabling us to live with our head held high. My younger brother, Jyotirmay Chakravarty, who is presently the Additional Director General of Police, Assam, has had a career known for efficiency and brutal honesty. He is also the winner of the President's Medal for distinguished service this year.

We hope this biennial Award, constituted and financed solely by our family efforts, will go on promoting the standards of literary translation works in Assam and also inspire everyone with values and principles held so dearly to heart by Amulya Kumar Chakravarty.

On his twentieth death anniversary today--the sixth of October-- we remember Amulya Kumar Chakravarty with fond and tearful memories.

Mumbai...32 Bucks...Happy Living!

It's indeed time to rejoice and celebrate! Well, don't you know? The authorities have declared a brand new program! As per that if you manage to earn 32 rupees a day...you are rich! Okay, little moderation...you are not poor at least! Now you must be feeling a carefree mood. Just what are you planning to do with new-found richness...sorry not poor!

Have your day out! Go for a morning tea. Take a cutting at 4 rupees at the most dilapidated joint. Then plan your breakfast. Go to the same place and have Bada-Pao snack and again a cutting. At the most you will part with only 15 rupees.

Now plan your most important meal--lunch. Want to go for a better place and non-veg? But how much you have left? Still 13 rupees? You are best advised to group with other 'rich' mates and have a feast on any street side bowl kitchens. Nothing left for supper? No problem! Most of rich people fast often for making their bodies slimmer and trimmer. What? You are rich, man! Thinking of another day? Rest assured, tomorrow never comes!

Oh good god! You have a family too? No problem! Your wife must be earning 32 bucks a day too. Leave it to her to feed clothe and educate your children.

Hark! Make way for the new-rich please!

The Destroyer of Evil is Descending on Earth Tonight!

The female Goddess of the Shakti cult in the forms of Amba Devi and Durga Devi is descending on earth tonight to mark the beginning of the illuminated lunar fortnight.


Today is the  the new moon day called Amavas and the last and most important day of dark lunar fortnight called Pitru Paksha which belongs to dead ancestors of all Hindus who pay homage to their forefathers.(Pitru)  As this fortnight has everything to do with the dead it is termed inauspicious and no crucial decisions are taken during this period.

From tomorrow Navratri festival in worship of Amba Devi will be celebrated in mostly western India with singing and dancing every night till late for nine days. This form of dancing is called Dandiya Raas.

From the sixth evening of this fortnight Durga Puja will start. Goddess Durga, the most powerful form of the shakti cult, is worshipped in India in terms of 'Durga Puja' during Sept-Oct every year. This puja covers five days including the day of installing the idol. It is the biggest festival in Eastern India.

Durga Devi is the destroyer of all evil forces. In the composite idol consisting of Lakshmi Devi, Saraswati Devi, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartika there is one image a 'danava' or demon being killed by Goddess Durga. Devotees around India worship her throughout the year calling out on her to conquer evil which manifests itself in numerous forms.
On the last day of Durga Puja devi idols are taken to rivers or lakes and immersed amidst joy and fulfillment.

For 2011, Durga Puja starts on October 2nd that is sasthi or the sixth day of the illuminated lunar cycle when idol is installed. It will continue till 6th that is the Dashami (the tenth day) or Dasera when symbolic forms of evil are ritually burnt amidst joy and togetherness and idols are immersed. For both Navratri and Durga Puja Dasera is the climax moment.

The festivities and celebrations are set to start from tonight till the ushering in of the New Year.