Madhu Mela opens in Jessore

JESSORE, Jan 26 (BSS): A weeklong "Madhu Mela" in celebration of the 190th birth anniversary of poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt was inaugurated on the bank of Kapataksha river at Sagordari in Keshabpur upazila of the district on Saturday.

Different cultural groups in association with cultural affairs ministry, district and upazila administration have organised the fair to mark the birth anniversary of the poet.

The Mela will continue until January 31. Madhusudan Padak will be distribute on concluding day (Friday).

State Minister for Public Administration Esmat Ara Sadek was inaugurated the weeklong Madhu Mela as the chief guest with Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jessore Jahurul Haque in the chair.

Additional secretary Mohammad Gous, Senior ASP of Jessore Reshma Sharmin and Keshabpur upazila chairman AHM Amir Hossen were present as special guests.

The function was addressed, among others, by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and member secretary of Madhu Mela Udjapon Committee Abu Sayed Mohammad Manjur Alam, Keshabpur Municipality Mayor Abdus Smad Biswas, Awami League upazila unit president SM Ruhul Amin and Press Club president Azizur Rahman.

A series of colourful events like jatra, circus, varieties of grameen sports, seminar on Madhusudan's life and works and cultural programmes were arranged during the weeklong fair.

A total of 200 stalls with traditional textile and cottage industry products have been set up on the mela venue.

Michael Madhusudan Dutt was born in a zamindar family at Sagardari on January 25, 1824, to Rajnarayan Dutt and Jhannabi Devi.