Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday inaugurated the Assam Book Fair 2025 at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground in Guwahati. The 14-day event is being organised by the Assam Publication Board in collaboration with the All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association.

During the inaugural programme, the Chief Minister conferred the Yuva Lekhak Samman on 818 young writers below the age of 40. Each awardee received a cash prize of Rs 25,000 in recognition of their literary contribution.

The book fair features more than 135 publishing houses from Assam and other parts of the country, including Delhi, Haryana, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Sarma announced that 2025 would be observed as the “Year of Books” in Assam, with similar book fairs planned in Bongaigaon, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Silchar, and Mangaldoi to promote reading habits and support the publishing sector.

Addressing the gathering, Sarma highlighted the long tradition of Assamese literature, referring to historical accounts from the 7th century, the Charyapadas, Madhav Kandali’s translation of the Ramayana, the works of Srimanta Sankardeva, and later literary contributions by Jnanpith awardees. He also acknowledged the role of literary organisations in the growth of Assamese poetry, prose, drama, and novels.

The Chief Minister urged young writers to focus on originality, particularly in the context of emerging technologies, and stressed the importance of ethical responsibility in protest literature. He said literary works should reflect society honestly while contributing to constructive social discourse.

The event was attended by Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, author Amish Tripathi, Asom Sahitya Sabha President Basanta Kumar Goswami, and other literary figures. Sarma also directed the Education Department and the Assam Publication Board to continue the young writers’ award scheme in the coming years.