It seems that Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is giving a lot of importance to relation with ASEAN countries these days.
In the recently concluded Global Investors’ Summit (GIS), stress was laid on improving the relation with ASEAN countries.
Many of those countries had reciprocated to Sonowal’s call for friendship by sending a minister to lead their delegation in the summit.
Now, Sonowal has extended his fascination for ASEAN to literature also by urging writers to focus on relation with ASEAN countries.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the second edition of the Brahmaputra Literature Festival (BLF), at Srimanta Sankaradev Kalakshetra here, Sonowal said, “Our relationship with the ASEAN countries dates back to the days of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Our literature should also highlight this so that our bond becomes stronger. I urge budding writers to look at this aspect.”
He also invited writers to write more on the pressing issues of modern times such as climate change, degenerating ethical and human values, power of cooperation, harmony and peaceful co-existence so that such literatures could positively cultivate the mind and contribute in building a better society.
He also advocated for translations of literary works. “Translation of literary works would introduce us to hitherto unknown dimensions of human thought and exchange of ideas. The Assamese literature would also be highly benefited from such an exercise,” he opined.
The festival inaugurated by the Chief Minister was attended by noted French writer David Collin and eminent scholar Indranath Choudhury among others.
The festival is being organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) in collaboration with Publication Board Assam.
The festival close to 30 panel discussions, along with book releases, readings and cultural events. It will also have screenings of films based on books, musical and dance performances.