Chirang, July 6: The Asam Sahitya Sabha held its second executive meeting of the year in Chirang district on Sunday, where it inaugurated 15 new sections, bringing the total to 914.

During the meeting, members engaged in extensive discussions aimed at closing the cultural divide between Assam’s Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, with a focus on promoting regional unity.

The Sabha also revealed that its next executive session will take place in Silchar, a strategic move to enhance its outreach in the Barak valley.

Dipayan Chakraborty, the MLA from Silchar, commented to the media, stating, "The Asam Sahitya Sabha is actively working to bridge the cultural differences between the Barak and Brahmaputra valleys, and this initiative has been well-received by the community."

Basanta Kumar Goswami, the Sabha president, supported this view, noting that while tensions have diminished in recent years, ongoing efforts are essential.

"In the past, Assamese banners faced vandalism in the Barak valley. We must ensure that such an atmosphere does not return," he emphasized.

Goswami also reminisced about the Sabha's visit to Silchar on May 19, where a 15-member delegation honored those who perished during the 1961 language movement, a significant event in the valley's cultural and linguistic narrative.

Among the seven major proposals approved during the meeting, the Sabha urged the state government to address the developmental issues faced by the Barak valley.

"The valley feels overlooked. We are committed to urging the government for more inclusive development," Goswami stated.

Additionally, the Sabha called for enhanced constitutional protections and cultural safeguards for indigenous populations.

"While inclusion in SC/ST categories is a positive step, much more is required to protect our identity. The decline of the Tripuri language should serve as a cautionary tale," the Sabha president warned.

Concluding the session, the literary organization expressed concerns regarding the increasing smartphone addiction among children and called for policy-level measures to reduce screen time.

Furthermore, the Sabha announced plans for a special event to celebrate the birth centenary of the renowned musician Bhupen Hazarika in the upcoming months.