Deb abstains from event

TT, Siliguri, Jan. 2: State tourism minister Gautam Deb today said he had resigned as the president of the centenary celebration committee of Siliguri Boys' High School, his alma mater, saying he was preoccupied with a lot engagements.

The minister also stayed away from the launch of the centenary celebrations held on the school premises this morning, citing prescheduled engagements.

"I was told by some ex-students that a committee would be formed to celebrate the 100th year of our school. However, no modalities were discussed and finalised before I was made the president of the committee. Considering my current engagements, I felt I could not deliver my responsibility as the president of the centenary celebration committee. That is why I have decided to quit the post," Deb said.

Along with Deb, Siliguri mayor Asok Bhattacharya, another alumnus of the school, was made the chief advisor to the committee.

Following this development, the minister decided to pull out of the committee and intimated other members of the panel yesterday about his decision.

"I sent a mail to other members of the committee yesterday, mentioning that I was stepping down from the president's post. I feel nostalgic whenever I come to the school. I would visit the school during the celebrations as an ex-student," said Deb.

Asked why he had skipped the launch of the centenary celebrations, the minister said: "I had no inkling of today's programme. I got the invitation around 8pm yesterday and by then, today's programmes had been finalised. That is why I could not make it to the school today," the minister said.

He rejected the suggestion that he was pulling out of the committee because the mayor had been made the chief advisor. "There is no point in drawing such a conclusion. My school is a respectable institution and I don't want any dispute over that. It is entirely the decision of those who are there on the committee," he said.

A flag was hoisted at the school to mark the launch of the celebration. Mayor Bhattacharya and several other former students were present at the event.

"The school has a special place in everyone's heart. It was a nice experience to attend today's programme and revisit the institution," the mayor said.