Cultural Unity Initiatives by Asom Sahitya Sabha in Northeast India

Promoting Assamese Language and Cultural Ties

Jorhat, June 11: Asom Sahitya Sabha has launched several initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural unity throughout Northeast India. Among these efforts is the proposal to recognize Assamese as the fourth official language in Arunachal Pradesh, alongside initiatives to strengthen cultural connections with Nagaland and the Barak Valley.

During a press conference in Jorhat, Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami, the Sabha's President, discussed the ongoing Setubandhan campaign. He stated, "Our objective is to culturally integrate Assam with its neighboring northeastern states. We have already achieved significant success in Barak Valley and Arunachal, and we are now looking to expand our initiatives to Nagaland and Meghalaya as well."

Dr. Goswami also shared that a delegation from the Sabha is scheduled to visit Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh on June 21.

“Namsai is home to 25 Assamese-speaking villages. While the residents can communicate in Assamese, they often lack literacy in the language. During our visit, we plan to meet with the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh to discuss formalizing Assamese as the state's fourth official language,” he explained.

He emphasized that this initiative is not only about preserving the language but also about empowering Assamese-speaking communities through education and official recognition.

In a further strategic move, the Sabha is organizing a cultural exchange with Nagaland.

“We aim to visit Nagaland before the end of this year. Our goal is to promote mutual understanding and shared cultural experiences,” Dr. Goswami added.

The Sabha also intends to engage with Meghalaya in similar initiatives, continuing its mission to foster cultural solidarity across the Northeast.

Dr. Goswami described the Sabha’s recent visit to Barak Valley in mid-May as a “complete success.”

He noted that during this trip, all police officers in the Barak region were granted lifetime membership in the Asom Sahitya Sabha, symbolizing a deeper engagement with Assamese culture in a predominantly Bengali area.

“In Barak, the Vice Chancellor of Assam University promptly approved the university's lifetime membership, along with several faculty members, during our visit. This level of acceptance highlights our shared values,” Dr. Goswami remarked.

However, he acknowledged the linguistic diversity in Barak Valley and the community's constitutional right to promote Bengali, stating, “It is natural for the residents to learn Bengali, but our initiative ensures that Assamese also holds a significant place in their cultural landscape.”

Dr. Goswami concluded by reaffirming the Sabha’s dedication to “connecting hearts across borders through language, literature, and culture.” The Setubandhan program, which was initiated shortly after the new committee took office, has already made a notable impact with its inclusive and proactive approach.

With the upcoming visit to Arunachal on June 21 and plans for Nagaland in progress, the Asom Sahitya Sabha’s cultural diplomacy is establishing a new standard for regional cooperation and identity preservation.