Guwahati, Feb 14: : Researchers and literature enthusiasts around the globe can now have access to rare and invaluable Assamese literary works, published since the 19th century, with the formal launch of Assam Sahitya Sabha’s digital archive of 500 rare, ancient books and journals here on Sunday.
The oldest literary cultural organisation of the state, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with state-run public sector undertaking, Assam Electronics Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON), in December 2020 to provide a dedicated online platform for Assam’s literary treasures.
Readers have to register on the website, www.granthakosh.
Cotton University vice-chancellor Bhabesh Chandra Goswami, vice-chancellor of Cotton University, launched the digital platform
Sabha president Kuladhar Saikia said that the literary body has stepped into the internet world for the first time with the launch of the digital archive, which would help take Assamese literature worldwide.
“Adoption of advanced technology will also help the Sabha spread and promote Assamese literature among the tech-savvy generation. Apart from the books preserved in the literary body’s central and city offices, digitised books of students of various educational institutions of Assam can also be accessed in the digital archive,” he said.
The literary body, Saikia said, has also taken an initiative to take Assamese folk tales and those of different tribes, including Karbi, Mising and Deori, through podcasts among youths.
Earlier, after initiating the project with AMTRON, Saikia said that the first phase of the project would include the works of Srimanta Sankardev and some contemporary writings as well.