No signs of Gandhimela in Silchar; DC Hailakandi in talks with Government for Rabindra Mela

This is that time of the year when the excitement of visiting a fair takes over the winter air. With absolutely no presence of theme and amusement parks in this region, the fairs are the only time when the kids and even adults get to enjoy rides.

The mela season generally starts with Rabindra Mela in Hailakandi and then the inauguration of Netaji Mela is done in Karimganj on January 23. Followed by the inauguration of Gandhi Mela in Silchar on January 30.

The Gandhi Mela in Cachar is organised by the Silchar Municipality Board. However, this year, as the Municipality elections are yet to be held, there is no elected board. ADC of Cachar, Sumit Sattavan is the executive officer of the board.

“When there is no elected board, the deputy commissioner becomes the president of Mela organizing committee and the executive officer heads it as general secretary. MLAs are invited in a meeting and the rest of the members are recommended by them,” said a former SMB commissioner.

It has been learned that the current Municipality Board is not willing to organise a fair of Gandhimela’s stature amidst the pandemic situation. “Silchar Municipality Board will incur losses if the mela is organised this year. When the elected board was there, the employees did not get their salaries on time. Why should the board that does not pay salaries on time, organise a mela by incurring losses,” questioned a senior officer in the board.

Speaking with Barak Bulletin, executive officer Sumit Sattavan said that the board has not yet discussed Gandhimela nor did they get any application seeking permission to host a mela.

However, Hailakandi DC, Megh Nidhi Dahal confirmed that the administration has got an application seeking permission to host a fair. “We are discussing the matter with the government,” said Dahal.

A source in the Hailakandi District administration informed that the concerned ministry has replied to Dahal and they mentioned that there is no prohibition on organising fair. However, COVID protocols need to be duly followed.

It is not only administrative permissions but the participation of vendors who travel from other parts of the country is also iffy. Last year, when they traveled from West Bengal, Bihar, they got stuck here in Silchar for months because of lockdowns that were imposed in order to restrict the outbreak of coronavirus.

Overall, there is a cloud of uncertainty looming large over Gandhimela, and in all likelihood, it might not be held this year.