HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Jan 30: Emphasising the urgent need to preserve Assam’s rich manuscript heritage, Governor of Assam and Chancellor of Gauhati University, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, on Friday called for systematic documentation and transmission of these treasures to future generations. Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day workshop on “Manuscripts of Assam,” organised under the Governor Assam Bhasha Protsahan Yojana 2025 by Lok Bhavan in collaboration with Gauhati University, the Governor said the manuscripts represent living traditions of knowledge, language and civilisational memory.
“These manuscripts are not relics meant for archives alone,” Acharya said. “They embody centuries of intellectual thought and cultural wisdom. Preserving, studying and reconnecting them with contemporary society is a shared responsibility of academic institutions, scholars and the wider community.”
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Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta highlighted the University’s historic role in safeguarding Assam’s linguistic and cultural heritage, noting its custodianship of Sanchipat and other indigenous manuscripts. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to ensuring that manuscript traditions remain accessible and relevant to future generations.
The inaugural session featured a keynote address by Prof Malinee Goswami, former Vice-Chancellor of Assam Women’s University, Jorhat, who discussed the scholarly and historical significance of Assamese manuscripts. Dr Sangeeta Gogoi, Director (I/C), Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian Studies (DHAS), and Dhanjit Talukdar, Archival Assistant, Krishna Kanta Handiqui Library, Gauhati University, spoke on manuscript conservation, documentation and research practices.
The programme began with an opening address by S S Meenakshi Sundaram, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor of Assam. Other dignitaries present included Prof Bechan Lal, OSD to the Governor; Prof Harbansh Dixit, Adviser, Lok Bhavan and Dr Deepi Rekha Kouli, Director, Directorate of Archaeology, Assam, along with senior academicians, researchers and students.
The workshop will continue over two days with thematic sessions focusing on the study, conservation and dissemination of Assam’s manuscript heritage. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr S N Bhowmick, PPS to the Governor of Assam.
