Volunteers at the conference venue at Tipkai on Saturday. Picture by Preetam B. Choudhury

Tipkai (Kokrajhar), March 16: The two-day 52nd annual conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha began today at Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Fwthar, Tipkai in Parbhatjhora sub-division of Kokrajhar district.

While BTC member Rahindra Brahma inaugurated the Upendranath Brahma Memorial main gate, the president of All Rabha Sahitya Sabha, Jagat Kama, opened the Sunilal Narzary Memorial main pandal.

More than 300 volunteers wearing traditional attire (dokhna and aronai) ensured the smooth functioning of the conference. Delegates and observers from different districts of Assam and West Bengal began arriving since morning.

The Sabha has instituted two new awards for students — Subungthini Thandwi Mungkhlong Bineswar Brahma award for two meritorious students and the Hangmashri Brahma award for the student who secures the highest marks in the higher secondary examination in Bodo medium. While the first award carries prize money of Rs 50,000, the second award is of Rs 10,000.

The Sabha will also present Rangsar Literary Award, Sameswari Brahma Literary Award and Sanjarang Lakheswar Brahma Cultural Award tomorrow.

Sabha general secretary Kamalakanta Muchahary said the delegate session discussed the development of Bodo language and literature and issues pertaining to Bodo medium education like provincialisation of Bodo medium institutions and appointment of teachers.

He said the demand to implement Bodo as the official language in BTC as well as the state would be put forth during the conference.

Though the government had taken the initiative to provincialise schools and colleges in the state, 70 per cent of Bodo medium schools were still at the “venture stage” as even the minimum requirements to ensure their development had not been met, Muchahary added.

The delegates will also discuss the violence in lower Assam districts of Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Chirang and try to find an amicable solution to the problems.

A souvenir comprising writings in eight languages — Bodo, Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Garo, Rabha, Rajbongshi and Santhali — was released later in the day.

There will be a marchpast by over 180 volunteers in traditional attire after the hoisting of the Sabha flag tomorrow.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi is also scheduled to inaugurate the open session tomorrow. Dr Birendranath Dutta, former president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, will be the chief guest while the president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Dr Kameswar Brahma, will chair the session.