Himalayan Times (1952)

Six SUmnlanau (Lim.o October 12, 1052

DR. MOOKERJEE OPENS
DARJEELING MELA

Darjeeling, Oct. 1

In performing the opening ceremony
of the Darjeeling Mela at the Victoria
Park here on the 27th September, Dr.
H. C. Mookerjee, Governor of West
Bengal said that the prosperity of Dar-
jeeling town and of the district depen-
ded to a large measure on the visitors
coming from Calcutta and other parts
of the country. But due to the parti-
tion of the country the position of Dar-
jeeling was not what it was during pre-
partition days. Considerable time was
taken in reaching Darjeeling at present
and therefore Darjeeling was getting a
smaller number of visitors.

The Governor said that in order
to attract more visitors the Darjeeling
Welfare Association was trying its best
to give as many amenities to them as
poesible. This Mela had been organised
by this Association to offer some ameni-
ties to the visitors. Another equally
important factor in holding this Mela
was to bring to the notice of the
visitors thp local Cottage Industries which
were original, striking and beautiful. Dr.
Mookerjee then implored and appealed
to the visitors to make purchases of
such articles as much as possible, so
that the poor and needy peo| le of the
district could be helped. The Governor
then added that half of the proceeds of
the Mela would go to the ‘Governor's
Darje-ling District Welfare and Benevo-
lant Fund” and the other half to the
Darjeeling Welfare Association, in either
case for the benefit of the people of
the district who deserve our fullest sym-
pathy. Dr. Mookerjee then observed that
the West, Bengal Government was spen-
ding four times more than the revenue
income of the district ns it required a
special treatment from the Govt. Con-

cluding his speech the Governor gave
an assurance that the West Bengal
Government would never fail to enhance
the prosperity of the people and the
industries of this district. , >

The Governor and Mrs. Mookerjee
went round the stalls and also enjoyed
physical display given by the Behar
Regiment and the visiting team of N.C.C.
Mrs. Mookerjee then presented prizes to
the winner of the I.tidies’ Musical Chair,
who was Mrs. S. Dutt Mazumdar. wife
of the Deputy' Commissioner, Darjeeling.

On the previous day, tho Governor
and Srimati Mookerjee attended a Drill
and Skating display given by the girls
of the Loreto Convent, Darjeeling.

In a short speech the Governor
congratulated tho Sistcrs-in charge and
tbo girls on the excellent display which
was cleverly and efficiently done by the
school-girls. He said that the Constitu-
tion of India, in the shaping of which
he had played soma part, granted full
treedom in the matter of professing and
propagating one’s faith, whatever faith
it might be. He added that India believ-
ed in absolute freedom in matters of
religion. Dr. Mookerjee assured the foreign
Missionaries that as long as they confi-
ned themselves to the spreading of high
ideals and doing social services such
self-sacrificing men and women would
be welcome in India.

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