Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented Literary Pensions to three eminent litterateurs and conferred Literary Awards on 28 others during a commemorative event at Gauhati University on December 7, marking the 93rd birth anniversary of celebrated Assamese litterateur Late Homen Borgohain.
The CM paid homage to Borgohain, lauding his unparalleled contributions to Assamese literature, particularly through initiatives like the introduction of an encyclopedia. Sarma noted, “Late Homen Borgohain provided Assamese society with literary guidance during complex times and infused pragmatism into literature through his thought-provoking editorials.”
The government announced a one-time grant of ₹50,000 for the Literary Award recipients and a monthly pension of ₹8,000 for those honored with the Literary Pension. The three recipients of the Literary Pension for 2024 are Shila Mohanta from Cachar, Dilip Kumar Phukan from Sonitpur, and Khagendra Nath Bora from Lakhimpur.
Sarma reiterated his government’s commitment to preserving and promoting Assam’s diverse linguistic and cultural heritage. “Languages and dialects represent the ancient culture of a state. Their extinction means the loss of associated cultures. The Assam government is taking significant steps to safeguard all languages,” he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the recent achievement of granting Assamese the status of a classical language. He attributed this milestone to collective efforts across ethnic and linguistic communities, with nearly 1.5 lakh meetings held during Bhaxa Gaurav Saptah to celebrate Assam’s linguistic diversity. Sarma thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting this initiative, calling it a moment of pride for all Assamese people.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta, and other dignitaries, including Late Borgohain’s son Pradipta Borgohain, attended the event, celebrating the enduring legacy of Homen Borgohain and the literary excellence of Assam.
Read More: Assam: Manas National Park Sees Record Tourist Boom, Revenue Surges