Guwahati: In a historic effort to preserve and promote Assamese literature, over 1.28 million pages of rare manuscripts, journals, and books in the Assamese language have been digitised. The initiative marks a significant milestone for the global Assamese community and future generations.
Narayan Sharma, President of Assam Jatiya Bidyalay (AJB) Educational and Socio-Economic Trust, announced that the digitisation project, completed over 36 months, is a vital resource for researchers, students, and cultural enthusiasts.
Key highlights of the project include:
• Rare Manuscripts: 26,000 Xasipats covering Vaishnavism, Buddhism, and Assamese traditions.
• Historic Publications: Digitisation of Orundoi (Assam’s first magazine), Bahi, Abahan, and Ramdhenu.
• Expansive Collection: 33,970 books and 41,071 journal issues now freely accessible.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Nanda Talukdar Foundation (NTF) and AJB Educational and Socio-Economic Trust, with support from Asam Sahitya Sabha, Dibrugarh University, Oil India Limited, NRL, and ONGC.
In the next phase, OCR-AI technology will be integrated, enabling advanced keyword-based search functionality. According to NTF Secretary Mrinal Talukdar, this technological upgrade will revolutionize access to Assamese literature, offering unprecedented convenience for researchers and scholars.
This digitisation project ensures the timeless legacy of Assamese literature is preserved while embracing modern technology for global reach and academic enrichment.