2025 – Year of Books

Himangshu Ranjan Bhuyan (himangshur1989@gmail.com)

 Declaring 2025 as a year of books and literature by the Assam Government is a vision to revive the cultural and intellectual fabric of the state. This is at a time when reading habits are going down and digital consumption is taking over, coupled with the challenge of saving and relevance of the literary heritage of regions like Assam. By focusing on books, the government has taken a decisive step toward a culture of knowledge, imagination, and unity.

Books are more than mere sources of information; they are containers of history, identity, and inspiration. Assam, with such an illustrious literary lineage, has contributed much to Indian literature. Such personalities as Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, and Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami have etched immortal marks in the arena of Assamese literature and helped the region create an identity with the country. This 2025 literary revolution wants to follow this legacy and transform it as per the demands and changing situations in this world that moves at lightning speed.

It will be a year-long festival, all-inclusive and multi-dimensional, to revive reading in all sections of the society—from the intellectual mind in the urban space to the rural communities. Book fairs, literary festivals, and workshops will run one after another to take literature to one and all. These events will serve as incubators for spotting new writers and storytellers, besides providing an outlet for already established authors. Especially the festivals will create opportunities for conversation among writers, readers, and critics for fostering a rich literary ecosystem.

Public libraries are the other transforming features of this programme. Most of the Assam libraries, which once throbbed with learning and community engagement, have turned into neglected buildings. They will be rejuvenated with modern collections, digital access, and amiable spaces. There also remain on wheels mobile libraries specifically conceptualized for reaching remote areas to deliver the benefits of such a revolution to every part of the state. There goes all the effort and motivation for democratizing the medium of knowledge and promoting every citizen through books and education.

Schools and college campuses are at the nerve centres of this revolution for literacy. The breeding grounds of intellectual curiosity, educational institutions should introduce activities such as book clubs, essay competitions, and storytelling sessions to be able to inspire a new generation of readers. Through Assamese literature as part of school curricula, it will not only enhance students’ academic repertoire but also strengthen their relationships with their cultural roots. Through celebration of regional authors and encouragement for the students to engage with such authors, this initiative would give a sense of pride in Assam’s literary heritage.

Besides education, this movement holds great potential to energize Assam’s publishing industry. It is common for local publishers and authors to fight for visibility and market access amidst an ecosystem dominated by the English-language publications. With an emphasis on enhancing demand for Assamese literature and opportunities for publication, the Year of Books can provide much-needed impetus to regional literature. The translation efforts can be enhanced further, bringing world literary classics to Assamese readers and vice versa, thus further enriching the literary landscape and enhancing cultural exchange.

Inclusion of indigenous languages and oral traditions is also a valuable part of this initiative. Many aspects are being seen in the linguistic diversity of Assam, and many of the languages and dialects are already endangered. In such a context, oral traditions recorded in written forms will ensure they are preserved for future times and thereby showcase cultural richness within the state. It makes the revolution by authors from the tribal and marginalized communities be inclusive and representative of the diversity in Assam.

This literary revolution is not confined to traditional formats. More than that, embracing e-books, audiobooks, and digital libraries might help bridge the gap between tradition and modern reading habits. The use of digital platforms will ensure the reach of literature to a large number of young readers in whom the light of reading is alive. The global visibility offered by online platforms hosting Assamese literature will also allow people worldwide to read the great literary heritage of the state.

However, this initiative is not without challenges. Gaps in literacy rates and access to learning resources in urban and rural areas pose significant barriers. Closing the gaps will call for creativity in approach and persistent efforts. Coordination with local non-governmental organizations, private players, and community-based groups can ensure that no corner of the state goes without the programme’s interventions. Again, financial constraints, which many families feel are deterring them from buying books, must be dealt with on a critical basis. Programmes involving free or subsidised book-distribution schemes—especially to children and those economically challenged—will enhance wider coverage.

This initiative has deep economic and cultural implications. This is an investment in Assam’s intellectual capital, cultural preservation, and promotion. A well-read society is better prepared to meet the challenges of society, embrace diversity, and make contributions toward sustainable development. The economic benefits of Year of Books can be found in tourism through literary festivals and book fairs in positioning Assam as the hub for literary and cultural activities. It may also create opportunities for local writers, publishers, and artisans, thereby strengthening a strong creative economy.

This is the literary revolution of 2025 that celebrates stories—the timeless art form connecting all of us. Stories are a glimpse into our past, bring light to our present, and spark our future. For Assam, it is the reassertion of the land as being rich in intellect and culture. A reminder of self-reflection, imagination, and thinking, all that books develop.

In dedicating 2025 to books and literature, Assam is speaking of a vision for its future—a vision that considers cultural heritage, intellectual growth, and the transformative power of knowledge. This initiative is not just a commemorative event; it is a movement to restore the significance of books in society. Assam has the potential of becoming a model for all of India in the entire process of commitment towards cooperation, innovation, and a steadfast commitment towards being inclusive.

With every page of this literary revolution, Assam embarks on a journey that will honour the past but also build for the future. This is a revolution of minds and hearts, a renaissance of culture and intellect, and a testament to the great power of literature in bringing change to societies.