Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Presents Literary Pensions, Literary Awards

‘Classical language status for Assamese language is achievement of everybody’

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented literary pensions to three litterateurs and literary awards to 28 litterateurs on the occasion of the 93rd Jayanti of eminent litterateur Late Homen Borgohain at a function at Gauhati University.

The Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the late Homen Borgohain on his birth anniversary for his role in enriching Assamese literature. He extended his best wishes to the recipients of literary pensions and awards for the year 2024. Literary awards: a one-time financial grant of Rs. 50,000 will be given to the awardees, and under the Literary Pension, a monthly pension of Rs. 8000 will be given to the litterateurs.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that in a true tribute to late Homen Borgohain, who enriched Assamese literature, the state government has decided to confer literary pensions and literary awards on his birth anniversary. He also said that in the 20th century, those personalities who contributed immensely to the forward march of Assamese literature, like late Homen Borgohain, were very prominent. He also said that Late Home Borgohain’s contribution in enriching Assamese literature through the introduction of encyclopaedias is unparalleled.

The Chief Minister said that when Assamese society was confronted with a complex situation, Late Borgohain gave the way out with his literary creations. With his editorials in different newspapers and magazines, Late Borgohain brought the element of pragmatism to literature.

Stating that at present, instructions through mother tongue have increased throughout the globe, the Chief Minister said that his government accords top reverence to all the languages and dialects spoken as mother tongue. He said that the languages and dialects of the ethnic people represent the ancient culture of the state. He said that if a language or dialect faces extinction, the associated culture also experiences disappearance. Therefore, the government of Assam is taking steps for the promotion of all languages.

Speaking on granting classical status to the Assamese language, the Chief Minister said that all the xahitya xabhas representing different languages and dialects welcome the decision. He also said that the conferment of the classical language status to the Assamese language is the achievement of all. During Bhaxa Gaurav Saptah, around 1.5 lakh meetings were held across the state where litterateurs from different ethnic communities took part. Thanking the Prime Minister for his initiative in granting the classical language status to the Assamese language, the Chief Minister said that everybody who belongs to Assam feels proud of this achievement.

It may be noted that altogether 31 litterateurs have been selected for literary pension and literary awards for the year 2024; among them, three have been conferred with literary pension and the rest are literary awards. Shila Mohanta of Cachar, Dilip Kumar Phukan of Sonitpur, and Khagendra Nath Bora of Lakhimpur have been honoured with literary pensions.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Gauhati University VC Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, and others were present at the function.

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