Assam University secures UGC nod for Assamese department, confirms Sahitya Sabha

Jorhat: The Assam Sahitya Sabha on Tuesday announced that Assam University has received formal approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a full-fledged Department of Assamese Language. The confirmation came during the centenary celebrations of Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan in Jorhat, where a two-day programme kicked off with strong public participation and heritage-themed events.

Sabha president Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami said the development marks a proud moment for language enthusiasts across the state. “Assamese once had minimal space in Assam University. Today, with UGC’s approval, the university is finally getting its own Assamese department. This is a milestone for all who love the language,” he stated.

Reaffirming the Sabha’s focus on strengthening Assamese identity in academic spaces, Goswami also announced that the university will soon introduce two academic chairs named after literary icons Lakshminath Bezbaruah and Padmanath Gohain Baruah.

The centenary celebrations began with members hoisting 100 flags at the Sabha’s historic headquarters, followed by floral tributes to cultural legends Zubeen Garg and Bhupen Hazarika. A colourful procession featuring diverse ethnic groups moved through Jorhat city, reflecting unity through culture and language.

Calling the occasion “historic for every Assamese”, Goswami highlighted the emotional significance of Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan. “It is not just a building, it is the heartbeat of Assamese literature, language and cultural unity,” he said.

Goswami added that the Sabha now operates over a thousand branches in India and abroad, including a newly opened branch in Moscow, underscoring the global connection Assamese communities maintain with their roots.

Stressing the organisation’s role in bridging divides between the Barak and Brahmaputra valleys, Goswami said a 50-member artists’ team from Barak Valley will join Wednesday’s events. He also announced plans to install a statue of renowned language scholar Hemchandra Barua in Silchar.

Jorhat MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami, who attended the ceremony, praised what he described as a renewed energy within the Sabha. “There was a time when the Sabha seemed to lose its spark. Today, it has revived its stature. Under Basanta Kumar Goswami’s leadership, the organisation has found new purpose,” he said, urging the Sabha to continue embracing the linguistic diversity of Assam’s ethnic communities.