“Bangla Sahitya Sabha, Asom” formed
“বাংলা সাহিত্য সভা, অসম” গঠিত

July 15: A new state level literary association was started with the Bengalis belonging to both Barak and Brahmaputra valleys. Named as “Bangla Sahitya Sabha, Asom,” this will serve as the meeting point of the Bengalis of Assam. Eminent litterateur, writers, cultural activists and those aspiring for a meaningful existence of the Bengali speaking populace of Assam has come under one umbrella to work relentlessly for the overall development of their community. It is to be noted that this is the first time, that such a large group of the Bengalis has been formed involving the people of both Barak and Brahmaputra.

Eminent educationist and Vice Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University, Hojai, Dr Amalendu Chakraborty, renowned writer & former professor of Cotton University, Dr Muktidev Choudhury and Prof Niranjan Roy of Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar have become the adviser of this association. Apart from them, Padmashree Ajoy Dutta has also been inducted as special invitee adviser.

Eminent litterateur Atin Das and Khagen Chandra Das has been unanimously made the President and Vice President of “Bangla Sahitya Sabha, Asom” respectively. Dr Prashanta Chakraborty, Head Department of Bengali, Cotton University has been entrusted the onus of honorary General Secretary of this association. Further, two joint secretaries from the two valleys were selected. They are artist Sandipan Dutta Purkayastha from Barak Valley and Rupam Chakraborty from Brahmaputra Valley.

For the post of Vice President, a coterie of educationists, cultural exponents and literary experts were included. They are Dr Pannalal Goswami, Dr Debashish Roy, Dr Nandita Bhattacharjee Goswami, Dr Mukta Biswas, Dr Sedeshna Bhattacharjee, Amal Gupta, Subrata Das, Tridev Choudhury, Samarbijoy Chakraborty and Chandan Bhaduri. Eminent writer Sishir Sengupta was made the Treasurer.

Others who have been assigned important responsibilities in the new formed association are: Editor of ‘Majlish Sanklap’ Tusharkanti Saha, Head- Deptt of Bengali, Pragjyotish College Dr Jyotirmoy Sengupta, Dr Barunjyoti Choudhury from Deptt of Bengali, Assam university, Dr Mampi Gupta from Deptt of Bengali, Arya Vidyapeeth,  Dr Mithilish Chakraborty from Maibong College, Sudarshan Gupta, Journalist Pijushkanti Saha, Tablist Debashish Bhattacharjee, Singer Bikramjit Kar Baulia, journalist Arup Chakraborty, Dr Swapna Nath, Prof Sheli Dutta, Prof Nipon Das, Dr Mausumi Nath, Prof Rakhal Das, Prof Pran Krishna Kar, poet Ratish Das & Manoj Kanti Dhar, Dr Rajib Saha, Dance artist Swagata Mitra, Prof Shibasish Chattaerjee, writer Subhrangshu Prakash Deb, student leader Kunaljit Deb among others.

Further, a powerful state executive committee was formed with 8 members from Brahmaputra Valley and 7 members from Barak Valley. Apart from this, two separate committees were formed in the two valleys. Decision was also taken to form town based committees in different parts of Assam.

Informing about the prime identity of the association, the members of “Bangla Sahitya Sabha, Asom” said that it was a conglomeration for upholding ‘identity’ and ‘harmony.’ In addition to the study of Bengali literature and culture in Assam, the association will work in harmony and friendship with Assamese and other ethnic literary trends. There will be translation workshops, joint literary programmes, cultural exchange programmes etc. It was further opined that the association will focus on collective social interest rather than on individual pursuits.