Lalit Nath
(lalitnath784@gmail.com)
After a long wait, the beloved language of the people has finally received the status of a classical language, marking the beginning of a glorious chapter. This recognition has added a new dimension to Assamese’s rich literature, culture, and intellectual heritage. It is the result of continuous efforts by Assam’s great men, writers, philosophers, researchers, and people from all walks of life. The Assamese language has had a profound impact on our literature, folk culture, and spiritual traditions for over a thousand years. Now, with this recognition, the language has gained the opportunity to be more recognised globally. This is a reflection of our deep respect for the language and culture. As a result of the classical language status, the central government will give special importance to the preservation, promotion, and development of the language. Universities will establish dedicated departments for the study and research of the language, along with increased financial support. Publications, textbooks, and cultural programmes will be organized to promote literature, culture, and history. Special measures will be taken to advance digitalisation, translation, and language technology. To attract the new generation to the language, literary competitions, theatrical performances, and cultural events will be organized. Along with preserving the language, its modernization will also receive attention. Additionally, special grants and benefits will be provided under various schemes to support the language’s development.
With the recognition of Assamese as a classical language, the opportunities to highlight Assamese literature on national and international platforms have expanded. Literary gatherings, translation projects, and research initiatives will now be easier to organise. This recognition will make possible new curricula, the establishment of language research centres, and enhanced educational processes, thanks to special grants and government assistance. As a result, students will have greater opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge of Assamese while ensuring the language’s preservation and promotion. Moreover, national and international awards will be promoted to recognise and encourage achievements in the field of the Assamese language.
The development of the Assamese language and culture is crucial, as they form the core pillar of our identity and heritage. The unity and preservation of language and culture not only keep the past alive but also establish a powerful cultural legacy for future generations. The use of the Assamese language in education needs to be more widespread. At both school and higher education levels, Assamese curricula should be strengthened. Moreover, preparing Assamese content for digital platforms will ensure the language’s presence on a global stage.
In terms of culture, the promotion of traditional festivals, folk culture, dance, music, and handicrafts must also be emphasised. For this, local administration and literary and cultural organizations must work together. It is time to incorporate traditional content and cultural activities into school curricula to generate interest in the language and culture among future generations. Therefore, the active participation of individuals from all sectors is essential for the preservation and enhancement of the Assamese language and culture.
In today’s era, technology has contributed significantly to the development of the Assamese language. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and language processing technologies, for instance, have played a key role in this regard. For example, translation technology and the processing of Assamese data have integrated Assamese into the global language flow. With the help of artificial intelligence, search engines, chatbots and data processing systems in Assamese have been enhanced. Furthermore, Assamese literature is gaining wider recognition through social media and digital reading platforms. Language processing technology plays an important role in keeping Assamese relevant in modern technological fields. It is certain that with the dynamic growth of technology, the prospects for the use and development of the Assamese language will become even stronger. To preserve Assamese’s long-standing tradition, the digitization and conservation of ancient manuscripts will be necessary. With the recognition of Assamese as a classical language, there will be an increased awareness and appreciation of its use among the public. This will lead to greater interest and awareness of the language among future generations, ensuring positive changes in the presentation of the language.
Therefore, it can be said that the recognition of classical language will secure the future of Assamese. However, despite these possibilities, the responsibility does not end here. The important question is whether the recognition of classical language will truly secure the future of Assamese. The recognition of Assamese as a classical language will undoubtedly open new doors in the fields of history, literature, culture and research. This recognition will strengthen government support, research, education and modernization prospects for the language. However, mere recognition will not be enough to fully secure the future of the language.
A language remains preserved through its daily use in society. If the daily use of Assamese declines, if English or other languages become dominant in education, or if the new generation neglects the language, then the recognition of classical status will be like a garden built in a desert. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the proper utilization of this recognition. To secure the future of Assamese, government actions alone are not enough; educators, writers, journalists, students, technologists, cultural workers, and aware citizens must all collaborate. A deep sense of awareness and a practical approach toward the mother tongue need to be developed. In education, Assamese should be used equally in both English and Assamese-medium schools to make students more interested in learning the language.
There is a need to increase Assamese content on digital platforms so that the new generation can easily access content in their mother tongue on the internet. A strong connection between literature and technology will help integrate the language with modernity. The recognition of Assamese as a classical language provides a golden opportunity to secure its future, but if this opportunity is not properly utilized, the language’s situation could become precarious. Keeping the language alive is not the responsibility of the government or educational institutions alone, it can only be preserved through its daily use. By focusing on future generations, fostering thoughts in Assamese and dedicating ourselves to the language, we can strengthen it. To ensure the creative development and sustainability of the language, collective awareness from every level of society is necessary.
When Assamese firmly establishes itself in every field, such as knowledge research, literature, culture, business and technology, then the foundation for the language’s strong position will be set. To enrich the language and drive it towards advancement, continuous innovation and creativity are required.