GUWAHATI, May 14 – The Asam Sahitya Sabha today termed the formal inauguration of its Brahmaputra-Gomti Cultural Centre in Agaratala on May 9 as a historic moment in the chapter of cultural relations between the two States.

Addressing mediapersons here, secretary of the apex literary body Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi informed that the cultural centre would promote comparative studies, translation, research and cultural exchange and would be brought under the University Grants Commission (UGC).

It needs to be mentioned here that the Sabha, in its bid to strengthen cultural and literary ties between Assam and all the other North Eastern States, has taken up a mission to set up cultural centres in different parts of the region. Another cultural centre dedicated to the memory of noted writer Lummer Dai would be inaugurated on June 1 in Kohima.

On the other hand, MP Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal, who was also present at the press conference expressed his willingness to support the progressive initiatives of the Sabha. He also assured that he would do the needful to free the Sabha land at Sachal of encroachment. Of the 100 bigha land of the Sabha, 50 bigha has been encroached till date.

“We all have a responsibility towards the Sabha, including the State government, to ensure that the progressive initiatives undertaken by the Sabha come into fruition,” said Ajmal.

The Ajmal Foundation today presented five computers to the Sabha.

Acknowledging the contribution of the Ajmal Foundation, Dr Rajbongshi said that the Sabha was looking towards generous and similar support of the foundation for 15 of its district units that have own land and building.

Assuring that he would help the Sabha in all possible way, Ajmal said that the other proposals of the Sabha, like construction of an air conditioned conference room in the Bhagawati Prasad Baruah Bhawan, would be discussed at the meeting of his family trust very soon. He also promised that he would help in the construction of a permanent office of the Sabha in Dhubri district.

On the sideline, Ajmal announced that his foundation would start a Ajmal University and the initial work of the university has begun.