GUWAHATI, Dec 22 - �Having a number of cultural and linguistic similarities, Assam and Sri Lanka must take initiatives to strengthen the cultural and literary ties between their people, and books can go a long way in solidifying the bond,� said eminent Sri Lankan educationist and litterateur JB Disanayak.
The 31st Guwahati Book Fair, organised by the Publication Board, Assam, was inaugurated today by Disanayak, also a former Sri Lankan ambassador, and Chief Minister�s Press Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami at the AEI Field in Chandmari here.
The annual event wherein entry has been made free for the book lovers of Assam would continue till January 2.
The Publications Board�s life time achievement award was conferred on the prominent writer from Assam, Atulananda Goswami. As Atulananda Goswami could not attend the ceremony owing to ill health, on his behalf, his son Nayanananda Goswami received the award. The coveted award includes a cash award of Rs 2 lakh, a citation, a memento and a collection of books.
In his inaugural speech, Disanayak said he was amazed to notice the similarities between Assamese and Sinhala languages. �I am sure that the books from Assam, written in English, would help us know this beautiful land better and a cultural exchange would take this bonding forward for the younger generations,� he added.
Hrishikesh Goswami, in his speech, said in view of the approaching diamond jubilee celebrations of the Publication Board, such literary activities hold all the more importance.
Earlier, Board�s Secretary Promod Kalita delivered the welcome speech and gave the details of the programmes to be held during the event.
A total of 40 books are being published by the Board in the year 2017-18.
Commemorating the life and works of eminent Sanskrit scholar and Indologist Dr Biswanarayan Shashtri, a memorial lecture and an extempore speech competition are going to be held on the book fair premises tomorrow. The memorial lecture would be delivered by educationist Dr Deepak Kumar Sarma.