Guwahati, June 12: The state's largest literary body, Asam Sahitya Sabha, has formed the Institute of Translation to materialise its project of translating 100 best books from different languages into Assamese.
The Sabha had earlier announced it would take up the project to mark its 100-year-journey. Dhruba Jyoti Borah, after taking charge as Sabha president, had said the translation project would get major emphasis during his two-year tenure.
The Sabha's first executive meeting took a resolution in this regard in Upper Assam's Sivasagar district a few months ago.
The Sabha formally began the project today with formation of the institute at its office here and asked people willing to join the project to send names and samples of works.
Borah told The Telegraph today that they would form a panel to execute the project with Sahitya Akademi translation award winners or those with published translated books or willing to translate books. He said they would announce the translation panel within two or three weeks.
The Sabha hopes to translate significant contemporary literary works from across the world. Besides, books in various Indian languages, including from the northeastern states, will also be translated. Borah, however, said getting permission for some contemporary books would be difficult because of copyright issues. The Sabha has sought suggestions from people about books they feel should be translated into Assamese.
As there are less than two years left for Sabha's centenary celebration, translating all 100 books would not be possible. The Sabha has targeted to finish the project in five years. The Sabha's executive body will change in 2017, but the institute will continue to work like an autonomous body.
Borah said the state government has promised to provide funds for the project. "Besides, various companies and corporate bodies have promised to help us under their corporate social responsibility module," he said.
The Sabha has decided to conduct research on culture, society, literature and history of the Northeast through small projects. Its general secretary Paramananda Rajbongshi said the research activities would be guided or monitored by its Institute of Assam Studies.
The Somnath Dutta Memorial Trust will provide scholarships for five such projects every two years. Research scholars having Masters degrees and qualifications prescribed by the University Grants Commission for a research scholar will be eligible. The Sabha would publish their works later on. It has asked willing candidates to apply for the scholarship.