Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation Area: Appeal by Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha to Use Assamese Language on Nameplates of Businesses, Financial, and Educational Institutions; 15-day Ultimatum by AASU

M. Hashim Ali ,Dibrugarh,Rongili Barta- The esteemed Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha has reiterated its demand for the use of the Assamese language on the nameplates of all businesses, financial, and educational institutions in the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation area. A delegation led by the Vice-President of Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha, Mr Bibhas Duara, and Secretary Ratul Gohain met with the Mayor of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation, Dr. Saikat Patra, and submitted a memorandum. The memorandum stated that Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha, the first Sahitya Sabha of Assam established in 1893, has been tirelessly working for the promotion of Assamese language, literature, arts, culture, and heritage. The Sabha firmly opposes any distortion, ridicule, or mockery of these cultural assets.    Furthermore, Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha has observed that despite decades of formation, the nameplates of several business establishments, some educational institutions, financial institutions, and both government and private offices in the newly formed Dibrugarh metropolis are still using languages like English and Hindi instead of Assamese. While everyone living in Assam should take pride in the Assamese language and have it inscribed on nameplates, this has not been the case. The Sahitya Sabha perceives this as a lack of allegiance to the Assamese language and a possible mockery of Assam and its people, despite benefiting from its resources. Hence, through the memorandum signed by Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha’s President Dr. Sashikanta Saikia, Vice-President Bibhas Duara, and Secretary Ratul Gohain, the S Sabha has urged the Mayor to take necessary steps to ensure the use of the Assamese language on the nameplates of all small and large business establishments, financial institutions, educational institutions, and both government and private offices in the Dibrugarh metropolis. They also requested the Mayor to issue an immediate directive in this regard, encouraging respect for the Assamese language by its usage on nameplates. Present during the submission of the memorandum were the Publicity Secretary of Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha, Jesim Ahmed, Office Secretary Hiranya Bora, Thomas Burhagohain, Iftikar Hussain, and other members.  On the other hand, the Dibrugarh District Students’ Union (AASU) has also raised the demand for the use of the Assamese language by submitting a memorandum to the Mayor, asking that the nameplates in all corners of the metropolis be illuminated with the Assamese language within the next 15 days. The Students Union had previously submitted a memorandum regarding the use of the Assamese language, but as no action was taken, they have now set a 15-day deadline for the Municipal Corporation.