The stage is set for the three-day long 59th annual conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (Boro Thunali Afad), the apex literary organization of the Bodos in Assam.
The conference will be held at Daoharu Fwthar that lies on the outskirts of Khoirabari town in Udalguri district.
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The annual conference is scheduled to be held on January 20, 21 and 22 next.
The entire place has been decked up and donned a festive look with the residents, irrespective of caste and community, preparing to host the conference.
The session is expected to discuss the development of Bodo-medium institutions, prospects of Bodo language besides issues such as the ongoing peace process with the NDFB factions.
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As many as 3000 delegates and 500 observers will attend the conference of the premiere literary organization besides by gathering of lakhs.
Apart from guests and delegates from the State, those from the neighbouring states of West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Bangladesh and Nepal will attend the mega event.
“The guests, delegates and visitors coming to enjoy the mega literary event of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha will be impressed by the hospitality and warmth of the local people. It will remain etched in their memories,” said the convenor of the publicity sub-committee of the reception committee and senior journalist Bhargab Das.
“The people of the entire locality consider themselves fortunate to host the mega literary congregation as one can feels a sense of unity and fraternity among the various linguistic communities who are working hard to showcase Udalguri to the rest of the world,” he said.
“With the help and service of different communities, this conference is going to usher in a new history,” Das added.
“Issues related to Bodo language and Bodo-medium education and the future course of action will be discussed during the session,” informed executive member of BTC cum president of reception committee Lwmshrao Daimary.
The apex Bodo literary body had been demanding that the government of Assam should take proper steps to conduct and popularise education in Bodo language.
For this, it has demanded creation of a separate directorate for Bodo medium, provincialization of Bodo-medium institutions, appointment of teachers, implementation of the RTE Act and timely distribution of textbooks.
The final day open session will be inaugurated by Asssam chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal and will be graced by Union HRD Minister, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank besides being attended by BTC supremo Hagrama Mohillary.
American linguist Scott DeLancey from the University of Oregon whose work focuses on typology and historical linguistics of Tibeto-Burman languages as well as North American indigenous languages will also grace the event.