BHASAR UJJA HEMCHANDRA BARUAH KSHETRA (Dergaon), Feb 4 � �The Asam Sahitya Sabha, even though it is facing various problems, must continue to lead the people of the State because literature, which is an assimilation of various cultures, fosters unity in diversity,� said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi while delivering his speech as the chief guest of the open meeting of the 71st session of the Sabha, here today.
�With the Asam Sahitya Sabha leading, the Assamese language and the Assamese nation will continue to thrive,� Gogoi added.
The Chief Minister also released the fifth issue of Asam Lekhok Kosh, published by the Asam Sahitya Sabha, and presented a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to the Sabha and another cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the Reception Committee.
The CM also revealed that the government will arrange for
preparing a compilation on the works of Padmanath Gohainbaruah and set up a seat on lakshminath Bezbaruah.
The meeting, held with Asam Sahitya Sabha president rang Bong Terrang in the chair, was inaugurated by noted journalist Radhikamohan Bhagawati, Editor of Dainik Asam. In his inaugural speech, Bhagawati opined that in spite of rapid development of electronic media, the attraction for books has not yet been lost.
The noted journalist also urged the Sabha to take up the project for publishing technical books in Assamese.
Popular writer Anuradha Sarmah Pujari, who was present in the open meeting, received the kala Guru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Award of the Asam Sahitya Sabha for her work Mereng. The award carries a citation and Rs 10,000 in cash. Indeswar Goswami was presented the Asam Keshari Ambikagiri raichoudhuri Award. Other awards were also presented in the meeting, which was attended by a large gathering.
The Sabha has accepted the Barpeta Road Sahitya Sabha�s offer to host the next session of the Sabha, and Ledo Sahitya Sabha�s offer to hold the annual special meet.
Earlier, the history sanmilan on �Relevance of History in the Context of 21st Century� was inaugurated by Mridupaban Goswami, while Dr Shritidev Goswami chaired it. Dr Ramesh Ch Kalita and Dr Rajib Handique took part in the session as the appointed speakers.
The Raseswar Saikia Barbayan and Tafajjul Ali memorial cultural nite was held in the evening which was inauguarated by Kahagen Mahanta.
