Assamese identity and its composite culture under constant threat: Deven Dutta

From our Correspondent

DIGBOI, Feb 3: “For the  last 58 years since the official adoption and declaration of Assamese language as the State language by the Government of Assam, the objectives are yet to be achieved in true spirit, which itself is a threat to the existence of culture, tradition and language in Assam,” remarked eminent writer and social activist Deven Dutta during his address at the second day open session of 74th edition of the Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) Buridehing-Bordumsa conference which was presided over by the newly-elected president of the AXX.
Dutta, while underlining some of the potential but detrimental factors acting in the way of the development and preservation of the rich Assamese culture and language, was of the opinion that socio-economic, commercial, educatiol and governmental institutions should adopt and use only Assamese as an official language. He laid significant stress on English language too but as a means of effective communication as an intertiol language. According to him, IPS and IAS officers, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary in Assam too should inspire the common people to educate their children in Assamese language to promote the cause. 
Meanwhile, emphasizing that the Assamese identity and its composite culture was under constant threat, irrespective of the political parties in power, he said that a powerful force had been active to elimite the Assamese culture and tradition in the wake of some of the ambiguous socio-political development in the State that favoured Assam to be a grazing ground for the anti-Assamese forces. 
As such, urging all the leaders of different communities to work for the preservation and promotion of their respective cultures and tradition for the greater and composite cultural cause of the State of Assam, Dutta pinned hope that the newly-constituted body of AXX under the leadership of Paramanda Rajbongshi, would act accordingly, embracing all the communities alike and deliver its best for the best cultural interest of the State of Assam.
Meanwhile, Paramanda Rajbongshi, during his presidential address, underlined the need among the diverse communities of Assam to work, promote and protect the indigenous identity of the Assam.
Earlier, as part of the five-day long agenda of the AXX session, various socio-cultural and literary activities were simultaneously carried out at the auditorium of the Singpho Heritage centre at Borsumsa in Changlang district of Aruchal Pradesh. Programmes, including Kuhi meant for the children of undivided Dibrugarh district and Aruchal Pradesh was held while ‘Akash’ for women was organized under the president ship of Chitraleka Bora, the former president of Digboi Sahitya Sabha. Haribhakta Katuwal and Meghraj Karmakar memorial poetry session  was also held on Aruchal jurisdiction.
While at Ritupather, the guests and visitors were seen thronging different stalls, exhibitions and fairs. Security personnel, including the police and traffic police, had to suffer due to electricity disruption, non-availabilty of drinking water, lack of refreshments and shelter-related issues.
The organizers on the Aruchal side lambasted the reception committee for its alleged indifferent attitude so far as fince was concerned. This was causing them a lot of humiliation as vendors, hotel and restaurant owners were chasing them seeking payment of bills.

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