HT Digital
GUWAHATI, Jan 30: In a bid to promote a culture of reading and knowledge-sharing, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has encouraged people to buy and gift books, especially in light of the upcoming 77th biennial session of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) announced on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the initiative aligns with the government’s decision to celebrate 2025 as the “Year of Books”.
During his visit to Bhattadeva Kshetra in Pathsala on Tuesday, the Chief Minister reviewed the preparations for the much-anticipated literary gathering.
Expressing confidence that the event would draw a significant audience, he emphasized the importance of books in enriching society.
“Every individual—be it journalists, politicians, teachers, or students—should buy books and exchange them as gifts during this session,” Sarma remarked.
Scheduled to commence on January 31, this edition of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, Assam’s premier literary organization, is set to feature a book fair and a science fair, replacing the conventional trade fair.
The science fair, organized in collaboration with Bajali Hat, aims to bridge the gap between literature and science.
Adding to the cultural vibrancy, the event will showcase traditional Assamese performances, with both local and invited artists taking the stage. A major highlight will be a grand japi, an iconic Assamese hat crafted from 1,500 tokou leaves sourced from Arunachal Pradesh, symbolizing the state’s rich heritage and welcoming literary enthusiasts from far and wide.
Students from educational institutions across the district will actively participate, infusing the event with youthful enthusiasm.
The session also resonates with CM Sarma’s earlier call in December 2024 for writers to explore uplifting themes in their works.
Encouraging authors to write about India’s glorious past, societal changes, and bright future, he stressed the need for literature that instills hope in the younger generation.
With its dynamic blend of literature, culture, and knowledge, the 77th biennial session of the Asam Sahitya Sabha is poised to be a landmark event in Assam’s literary landscape.