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Asam Sahitya Sabha signs MoU with USTM for research and promotion of
indigenous languages
GUWAHATI, 28
September, 2018: With the objective to work together in the field of
literature, culture, heritage, diversity and ethnicity in the north-eastern
region and carry documentation and research work on indigenous languages, the
Asam Sahitya Sabha, the apax literary body of Assam signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) at
Guwahati today. The MoU was signed by Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi, President of
Asom Sahitya Sabha and Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM. A host of literary
and academic personalities, including former Asam Sahitya Sabha president Dr
Dhruba Jyoti Borah, Prof Nirmal Kumar Choudhury, former Vice Chancellor of
Gauhati University, RS Mooshahary, former Governor of Meghalaya and prominent
litterateurs and members of Sabha as well as academicians from USTM.
Signing the MoU, USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque said that the University has a
social commitment and is keen to work for establishing harmony, brotherhood and
integrity among different sections of society. “We are determined to contribute
to the language and culture of the region and want to offer fellowships to do
research work on 20 former presidents of Asam Sahitya Sabha. The MoU with
Assam’s largest and oldest socio-literary organization will pave the path to
reach our objectives which will further nurture unity in diversity of the
north-eastern states, especially Assam and Meghalaya”, he said. On this
occasion, 100 USTM employees became members of Asam Sahitya Sabha for lifetime.
This will be followed by another 500 membership from USTM, said Hoque.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi, President of Asam Sahitya
Sabha said that by contributing to the protection of language and culture, USTM
can assume a significant place among the universities of the world. He also said
that Assam needs a language policy and support of the Government for the
intellectual development of the region is very important. According to the MoU,
the Sabha and USTM will jointly organize Workshops, Seminars, Symposia on
language, literature and culture on mutual consultation and will honour literary
stalwarts and achievers from time to time to encourage and inculcate literary
culture among the future generations.
Addressing the august gathering, Meghalaya Governor RS Mooshahary said that USTM
is a growing and happening university and will be reckoned as one of the best
universities in the future. Former Asam Sahitya Sabha president Dhruba Jyoti
Borah said, “Today’s MoU signing is a significant moment in the history of USTM
and Asam Sahitya Sabha. The University is creating a research environment and we
really appreciate it.”
A significant decision taken in the MoU is that, USTM will offer two fellowships
for researchers at the initial stage to carry out research on the life of two
literary stalwarts of Assam—Dr Maheswar Neog and Syed Abdul Malik. The
Fellowships may also be extended for further research leading to award of Ph.D
degree.
According to the MoU, special importance will be given to Char areas, the Barak
Valley and other economically underdeveloped areas, including some areas of
Meghalaya where the two organisations will take up developmental activities
within their capacity. Villages will be adopted by both the organisations to
promote educational activities including literature and culture. The initial
target will be to adopt two villages on mutual consultation.
It was agreed that both the organisations will strive for protection and
preservation of ethnic languages in the region, specially the endangered
languages and find out ways and means to revive and promote such language and
culture. To take it further, USTM will create a Directorate of Language and
Cultural Studies where the Sabha will provide necessary inputs, expertise for
various compilation and research. Different diploma and certificate courses will
be launched and Sabha will help in preparing the Syllabus, Course Design and
Training of Trainers Module. Authorised persons of both the organisations will
avail the facilities and infrastructure including library as and when required.
USTM and Asam Sahitya Sabha will jointly organize a North East Writers’ Conclave
or Literary Fest from time to time to promote literature and culture from the
region by providing a broad platform. It was also agreed that both the
organisations will jointly work for publication of Books, Journals etc. Earlier,
the welcome address was made by Padma Rajkhowa, General Secretary, Asam Sahitya
Sabha while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Sanjib Kumar Sharma,
Secretary, Asam Sahiya Sabha Guwahati.
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