Assam: Tiwa Sahitya Sabha Convention Concludes in Morigaon District

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MORIGAON: The 13th Central Convention of the Tiwa Mathanlai Takhra (Sahitya Sabha) was held from March 21 at Jemon Chandra Bardoloi Kshetra, Oujari, Morigaon District, which concluded today. Addressing the people, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the role played by the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha for the development of language and literature of the community since its inception has encouraged the younger generation. He congratulated Harsing Khalak, the newly-elected President of the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman Award.

The Chief Minister said that the development of written literature in the Tiwa language started in the 1970s and the newspaper Rinchang of the Sadao Assam Tiwa Yuva Chhatra Sammelan published in 1973 played a major role in this regard. He added that the glorious history, culture, Tiwa language, and literature of the tribe were expressed in Rinchang which encouraged the writers of Tiwa literature. He said that the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha was renamed as Takhra on 15 November 1980 by the Tiwa Bhasha Unnayan Parishad and later by the Sadao Tiwa Sahitya Sabha and later by the Tiwa Mathanlai.

The CM said that the Tiwa Mathanlai Takhra sessions have been playing an important role in the development of Tiwa language and literature and that the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha has always made efforts to promote the Tiwa language among the younger generation. Sarma further said that the Tiwa people are rich in their heritage and culture and the heroic story of the Tiwa king Jongalbalhu and the remains of the Jongalbalhu fort near Raha still remind us of the glorious days of the Tiwa kings.

CM Sarma reiterated that the Central Government and the Government of Assam have been making continuous efforts to preserve the language, arts, culture and religious customs of every ethnic group. He informed that the Governor of Assam has already issued a notification to ensure that Tiwa language can be taught up to class V through the National Education Policy. The CM said that the SCERT has already developed textbooks under the initiative of Tiwa Mathanlai Takhra and that the state government will make every effort to promote the Tiwa language and culture. He also assured that the Tiwa dance performed by 1,000 artists today would be performed at the Saroshjai Stadium in Guwahati. He also called on the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha to compile a history of the Tiwa community and promised that all the expenses would be borne by the state government. Sarma said that it is very important to preserve the religion of the ancestors along with the language and culture of the ancestors and that it is the responsibility of everyone to preserve the religion of their ancestors. He said that like language, literature, dress, arts and culture, our seven-generation religion is also our identity. He appealed to the community not to allow anyone to take away the land beneath their feet. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi as saying that windows and doors should be kept open and the wind will come, but you must never allow anyone to take the foundation of your house no matter how dear he is.

The Chief Minister also said that the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha has accepted the proposal to build an art gallery on 3 katha land in front of Charan Beel and promised to provide all the funds. He said that the proposal would be approved within three months. He also said that the tourist attraction at Jongalbalhu Fort will be opened by this year. Sarma also confirmed that the Tiwa language teachers would be appointed if necessary as per the proposal made by the Tiwa Sahitya Sabha. He also insisted that all land in tribal belts and blocks would be freed from foreign clutches.

The meeting was attended by Morigaon MLA Ramakant Deuri who paid tribute to the sages who contributed to the preservation of Tiwa language and literature. He stressed on creating awareness among the younger generation for the preservation of Tiwa language and literature. He said that the future generations will not forgive us if we do not make efforts to preserve the Tiwa language and literature now. He highlighted the rich Tiwa language, literature and culture and urged the Tiwa people to continue their efforts to take Tiwa culture to the world.

The event was also attended by Assam Government Minister for Water Resources, Information and Public Relations, Social Justice and Empowerment Piyush Hazarika, Tiwa Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Jeevan Chandra Konwar, Morigaon District Commissioner Devashish Sharma, Tiwa Sahitya Sabha officials, and a large number of people.

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