Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 38-39

Mar 7 - Mar 21 , 1999

''Assam Sahitya Sabha's role crucial'' : C.P. Saikia “The need of the hour is to create an environment for permanent peace and creativity with the help of the indomitable spirit and power of the Assamese people.” This was stated by newly elected Assam Sahitya Sabha president Chandar Prasad Saikia at the 65th Asom Sahitya Sabha session at Hajo. Mr. Saikia appealed to the people to make untiring efforts in order to establish Assam in her rightful place at the all-India level. He also said that man cannot achieve greatness without having great cause. During the session, he spoke to North East News Agency. NENA: How do you view the role of Assam Sahitya Sabha? Chander Prakash Saikia: The role of Assam Sahitya Sabha becomes very crucial here. It should serve as a bridge amongst the different languages and attendent cultures of the State. My hope is to create a core team of dedicated writers and translators from all languages in the State to do two things — firstly, to translate major works of Assamese literature to indigenous languages and vice versa and secondly, to publish a link dictionary amongst the languages. NENA: Are you happy with the present trend of development in the Assamese society? C. P. S.: The will is missing and work culture is gone. Everyone seems to have dropped into a deep slumber. NENA: What role do you envisage for the Assam Sahitya Sabha in removing the above problem? C.P.S.: The role of the Sahitya Sabha is to create an environment for creativity in the true sense of the word and in every sphere of life. Those are without doubt difficult times. The political leadership has failed us and the system itself has not thrown up leaders capable of tackling the situation at hand. Present day politics is out of syncs with the life and times of our people. I am, therefore, not ruling out the possibility of creative people —— writers, social workers, scientists, professors —— taking on the onus of charting the path of progress of the State, not in a direct political sense but in philosophical context. Of course, all this is very utopian. NENA: How do you see yourself as the president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha? C. P. S.: I must make it clear that I am a gate-keeper. To claim that I am a servant of the people, would be pretentious and would amount to sloganeering —— an art best left to our politicians. Writers must be absolutely truthful.

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