GUWAHATI, May 7 � Announcing a number of new initiatives to encourage research-based quality literary works in Assam, the State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today released the first issues of revived Assamese monthlies, Prakash and Mukuta.
The publication of both the magazines of Publication Board Assam was stopped for several years due to financial crunch.
�The re-publication of Prakash, a torchbearer of the Assamese literary world, is a proud movement for us. The thrust would now be on maintaining the quality of the literary works, so that it can guide the generations to come,� he said, addressing the gathering at the Assam State Museum.
Started in 1975, the publication of Prakash was stopped in 2001. Children�s monthly magazine Mukuta was started in 1987 but was discontinued since 1994.
Sarma further said that the objective of re-publishing Prakash is to promote good literature to enrich Assamese language and not profit making. He further added that well-researched articles would find priority in the magazine.
The State government has also decided to provide literary fellowship of Rs 1 lakh to 100 litterateurs to produce well-researched books. Further, six awards would also be instituted this year in various fields of literature. For overall contribution to Assamese literature, an award would be given to a litterateur every year with a cash amount of Rs 5 lakh. Awards would also be given to the exceptional works in the fields of historical research, science literature, ethnic literary work and creative literature.
President of Asam Sahitya Sabha and chief editor of Prakash, Rong Bong Terang also said that maintaining the quality and the continuity of Prakash would be a big challenge before him. �I would try to incorporate the literary works of the entire North East so that the magazine could be a true representative of the region,� he added.
Hrishikesh Goswami is the editor of Mukuta. Eminent writer Promod Chandra Bhattacharyya, while expressing his views, lauded the initiative to re-launch the magazines and said that the revival of Publication Board, Assam would give a new ray of hope to the people.
Editor of the Dainik Asam and noted litterateur Radhika Mohan Bhagawati also said that through Prakash all aspects public life and literary world of Assam should come to light and for this meticulous planning is required. He also said that it is very important to encourage the new writers.
