Sonowal chairs meeting of Assam Cultural Trust, launches website

He also ceremonially launched the website of the Trust which would depict the cultural heritage of the state and inform the public about the Trust’s works.

Urging the Trust members to take steps to boost revenue earnings of the Pragjyoti ITA Cultural Centre Machkhowa by increasing the occupancy of the auditorium, the Assam CM suggested that present 136 days of occupancy of the hall must be further increased instead of hiking the renting fee of the hall.

The nearly Rs 59 lakh income from the hall in the last financial year did not do justice to the hall’s potential and differential pricing must be adopted for commercial and non commercial events, he said.

Sonowal also stressed the need to fully utilise the space available in the premises of the Cultural Centre and he directed the Trust to form a sub-committee to explore the possibility to build a multi story river facing cafeteria just above the parking lot and suggested to hire an architect for the purpose.

“The beautiful river facing Cultural Centre premises must be fully utilised to earn revenue and also to give better experience to the visitors of the Centre. A calendar of regular cultural events must be prepared by the Trust so that traditional festivals and folk cultures of different ethnic groups of the state can be depicted,” Sonowal said.

He urged the Trust to hold six festivals in twelve months to showcase the composite cultural heritage of the state and people must be made aware about the regular fixtures through the calendar.

Sonowal also directed to upload photos of eminent personalities from different parts of the country and the world who attended the various events at ITA Cultural Centre on the website. 

The Assam CM directed to hold the next meeting of the Trust in ITA Machkhowa instead of CM Office where the actual situation can be gauged. The trustees of Assam Cultural Trust also handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh as contribution towards Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.                 

Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, Secretary to the Chief Minister Ranjan Chakrabarty, Secretary of Cultural Affairs Department Madhurima Barua Sen, Director of Cultural Affairs Barnali Sarma, Chairman of Cultural Sub-Committee of the Trust Kirti Kamal Bhuyan were also present in the meeting among others.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)