Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday attended as Chief Guest the 63rd Annual Conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha held at Boko in Kamrup district.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said the Bodo community has inherited a rich folk culture and heritage and that the discussions surrounding Bodo literature have enriched the literary landscape of the State. Referring to Bodo Sahitya Sabha as an institution that has been providing a potent platform for deeper analysis of the historical and contemporary consciousness of the Bodo community, he said it has been contributing greatly towards the progressive marches of the members of the Bodo community in recent times. He said that love for one’s mother tongue provides a community with the necessary courage and inspiration to go ahead in the path of progressive marches.
Stating that the Bodo community is now politically secure and stable, he said now is the right time to launch a movement for intellectual and cultural resurgence among the Bodos. The best way to create a climate of intellectual resurgence was to develop a culture of book reading.
During his address, the Chief Minister declared that steps will be taken to ensure the decision to upgrade 50 numbers of Bodo medium high schools to higher secondary schools is implemented at the earliest. He stated that for construction of district-level Sahitya Sabha Bhawans across various locations across the State, a sum of ₹20 lakh each shall be allocated. For construction of an auditorium, the Kamrup district Bodo Sahitya Sabha unit shall be provided with an amount of ₹1 crore, he added.
The event was attended by President of Bodo Sahitya Sabha Surat Narzary, its Vice-President Prashanta Boro, Sitaram Basumatary, Minister of Assam Cabinet UG Brahma, Member of Parliament Queen Ojha, BTR Chief Executive Pramod Boro, MLA Hemanga Thakuria, along with a host of dignitaries.