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Sabha seeks UNESCO nod

By Staff Reporter - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

GUWAHATI, Sept 9 � The apex literary body of the State, the Asam Sahitya Sabha has decided to approach UNESCO for recognition as the biggest literary institution in the world and has launched the initial process in this direction.

Announcing the decision of the Sabha before media persons here on Thursday, Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi, secretary of the Sabha said that the Asam Sahitya Sabha can stake the claim as it is an unique institution flourishing on the love and goodwill of the people.

On the other hand, the Sabha has also decided to file a PIL in connection with the failure of the authorities concerned to implement the official language in true spirit. It needs to be mentioned here that the literary body has been since long pushing for implementation of the official language and calling upon the educational institutions to teach the mother tongue.

Of late, for the promotion of language and literature, the Sabha has taken up many projects including publication of an encyclopedia, setting up cultural centres in the North East States, workshops on the folk performing arts etc. Already 10 parts of the encyclopedia have been published and the next part, an edition on health and medical treatment will soon hit the stands. The Sabha has been giving incentives to young writers and in the next three months 30 books of young writers would be published by the Sabha. The writers would be presented Rs 3000 each.

�The Asam Sahitya Sabha is a people�s institution. But a section has been trying to sling mud at the Sabha by raising doubts about its transparency and accountability. This is very unfortunate,� said Sabha president Rong Bong Terang asserting that the Sabha has always stood by the people and worked for the people.

The tenure of the present executive of the Sabha will complete in 2011 and the election process for the Sabha�s next executive has been initiated with the senior most member being entrusted with the job of the election officer and four other members as assistants.

Dr Rajbongshi said that the district units of the Sabha will elect the next executive for the 2011-13 term in a democratic manner. He warned against mud slinging and appealed to the district units to identify the elements that indulge in malevolent propaganda and apprise the election officer.