In a significant move, the Asom Sahitya Sabha (ASS) on Sunday launched an Assamese language study centre at south Assam’s Silchar.
Speaking at the launch function, ASS president Pranamananda Rajbongshi said that anyone living in Assam and doesn’t know his or her mother tongue, won’t be allowed to work in any state government run offices.
“To work in government run offices in Assam, the knowledge of one’s mother tongue is an essential condition,” Rajbongshi said.
The lack of knowledge of one’s mother tongue is the root cause of us losing our linguistic and cultural identity, he said.
Rajbongshi further said that from next month onwards the courses in this study centre equivalent to a diploma would be started for students.
He added, “In collaboration with Tezpur University and other private universities in the state, all regional languages of Assam would be taught in the centre. These diploma courses would be of one year as framed by these universities as well as of six months that we have underlined.”
Rajbongshi said the Education department of Assam has also made it compulsory for all its TET teachers to know their mother tongue and a certificate for the same can be issued by Assam Sahitya Sabha.