To nurture literary talent and promote a culture of reading, the Government of Assam recently extended financial assistance to 818 writers under its Year of Books initiative. Each selected writer will receive a grant of ₹25,000 to support their creative and literary pursuits.
The Chief Minister ceremonially handed over the financial grant to the young writers at the inauguration ceremony of Assam Book Fair 2025. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “Book fairs are no longer confined to Guwahati alone and are now being organised in districts such as Bongaigaon, Lakhimpur, Nalbari, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Silchar and Mangaldoi, with the aim of expanding reading habits across the State.”
According to him the Yuva Lekhak Samman has been introduced to encourage writers below the age of 40 who are engaged in literary work in Assamese and other community languages of Assam. Out of nearly 2,300 applications received, 818 young writers were selected.
Reflecting on the rich literary heritage of Assam, the Chief Minister mentioned about the evolution of the Assamese language and its classical recognition and recalled early literary milestones and contributions by great writers and saints, saying that the strength and originality of the language have been acknowledged nationally.
He urged the young writers to focus on originality and warned against over-reliance on artificial intelligence, “While technology may assist creativity, no machine can replace human emotions and lived experiences.”
“Writers should be responsible towards society, the protest or revolutionary writing must ultimately lead to positive change and not social unrest,” he added.
For many recipients, the announcement has come as both recognition and reassurance. Pranab Jyoti Mahanta, one of the awardees of the Yuva Lekhak Samman 2025, described the moment as deeply motivating. Speaking to Asom Barta, Mahanta said that the news, which arrived towards the end of 2025, filled him with joy and a renewed sense of responsibility.
“I have been writing since my childhood, but I never imagined that one day my work would be recognised and honoured by the Government in this manner,” he said. Mahanta added that the recognition had strengthened his resolve to continue writing with greater seriousness. He also extended congratulations to fellow young writers selected for the honour and expressed gratitude to the Publication Board Assam and the State Government for acknowledging literary efforts.
“I sincerely hope such initiatives will continue in the future. This encouragement will surely motivate young writers to remain committed to their creative journeys,” Mahanta said, while thanking the Government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for the support.
Echoing similar sentiments, another writer, Rangman Das, highlighted the practical impact of the financial grant on writers who often juggle creative aspirations with economic responsibilities. “I know many highly talented emerging writers who have been forced to set aside their writing, or have been unable to write regularly, because of the struggle to support their families,” Das said.
He noted that the grant of ₹25,000, along with the recognition under the Yuva Lekhak Samman, has brought a sense of relief and renewed hope. “For those of us whose writing had become irregular due to financial pressure, this honour has inspired us to start writing again. We have found renewed courage to hold on to our pens firmly and fearlessly,” Das remarked.
As the Year of Books unfolds with multiple initiatives aimed at readers, authors, and institutions, the latest announcement is being seen as a meaningful step towards strengthening Assam’s literary ecosystem—ensuring that voices from across the State continue to write, publish, and inspire future generations.
