The venue being prepared for the Dergaon session. Picture by Sanjoy Kr Hazarika

Jorhat, Jan. 31: The Asam Sahitya Sabha has initiated a move to bring all the tribal groups of the state closer.

The initiative will be highlighted at Jatiya Matri Bhasha Abhivartan (regional mother tongue convention) organised on the first of the sabha’s four-day 71st biennial session at Dergaon in Golaghat district from tomorrow. It will discuss ways to promote and preserve the mother tongues of over 30 ethnic groups along with Assamese language by working jointly with the communities.

The biggest literary event of Assam will be held on a 300-bigha plot, named after the doyen of Assamese language, Hem Chandra Baruah, and located along National Highway 37.

The principal secretary of the sabha, Paramananda Rajbongshi, told The Telegraph that this was the first time that the sabha was trying to bring all the tribal communities of the state under one umbrella. The initiative is in tune with sabha president Rong Bong Terang’s plan to have closer ties with all the tribes of Assam and neighbouring northeastern states, he added.

Representatives of literary organisations of about 35 tribes like Misings, Bodos, Tiwas and Rabhas and non-political organisations like the All Assam Students’ Union and the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad will participate.

After the deliberations, the convention will draft a resolution by incorporating the views of all the participants and urge the government to take steps to preserve and promote the mother tongues of all the indigenous communities.

The general secretary of the session’s reception committee, Parag Thakur, said four literary persons from across the country — Bengal poet Aloke Ranjan Dasgupta, who is an expert in German language, Marathi poet Satish Kaleshkar, Malayalam short-story writer Paul Jakaria and Hindi litterateur Ratan Singh — would attend the open session of the convention. He also said 14 books published by the sabha and the 520-page souvenir Dishoi Doriya brought out for the occasion would be released at the session.

A cultural evening will be organised on the first day of the meet to commemorate 100 years of the sabha’s anthem. Artistes of all tribal groups will perform at the function.

Over 2,000 sabha delegates and about 10 lakh people from across the state are expected to attend the session. The third day will see the customary colourful procession with top sabha office-bearers riding on elephant back.

Publicity adviser Debajit Bora said a huge pandal to accommodate 7,000 people had been set up. The event will also boast of a 200-stall book fair, and exhibitions on science, art, sculpture and trade. A symbolic namghar (Assamese place of worship), marung ghar (traditional community hall of the Misings) and an Assamese village are being put up at the venue.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi is expected to address the open session on the concluding day, Bora said.