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Kokrajhar, March 12: Preparations are on to host the 52nd annual conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha at Tipkai under Parbhatjhora sub-division in Kokrajhar district beginning March 16-17.
The local people are making sure that the Sabha is held in a befitting manner and turns out to be a success. The BSS conference will be held for the first time in Tipkai since its formation on November 16, 1952.
Work is on at a hectic pace to complete constructing the pandals and decorations before the scheduled date at the main venue — Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Fwthar.
Batendra Nath Brahma, chairman of the reception committee of the conference and retired principal of Tipkai Higher Secondary School, said almost 90 per cent of the work has been completed and they are all set to host the conference.
The conference is likely to discuss the development of Bodo language, literature, issues of Bodo medium schools besides the socio-cultural and economic aspects plaguing the society.
The 30,000 square feet main pandal with a seating capacity of over 15,000 people has been named after late Sunilal Narzary, a noted social worker. A memorial tomb to remember the people who have contributed to the cause of the Sabha is being erected in front of the conference venue.
Brahma said the estimated budget for the conference is around Rs 45 lakh. More than 300 volunteers will be on hand, he added.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi is likely to inaugurate the open session on the concluding day while Birendranath Dutta, former president of Assam Sahitya Sabha will be the chief guest.
Meghalaya governor R.S. Mooshahary and BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary will grace the occasion as special guest and distinguished guest.
The Sabha will also hand out the Rangsar Literary award, the Sameswari Brahma Literary award and the Sanjarang Lakheswar Brahma cultural award during the conference.
The Sabha has instituted two new awards for students, Subungthini Thandwi Mungkhlong Bineswar Brahma students’ award for orphans and meritorious student which will give Rs 50,000 each to two students and the Hangmashri Brahma students’ award which will give Rs 10,000 to those securing the highest mark in Bodo MIL in the Higher Secondary examination.
A multilanguage souvenir comprising eight languages—Bodo, Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Garo, Rabha, Rajbongsi and Santhali will be released on the occasion.
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