Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Sabha for the first time in recent years participated in the Assam Book Fair, 2023-24 organised jointly by Publication Board, Assam and All Assam Publishers and Book Sellers Association, Assam at Guwahati from 29th December 2023 to 9th January 2024. Although new publications were very few, but highlights were the “Bishnupriya Manipuri to English Dictionary” by Dr. Kali Prasad Sinha and “Bishnupriya Manipuri Samaj Sanskriti Aaru Itihaas” by Shri Sunil Kumar Sinha.
A number of copies of these two books were sold which were able to grab the attention of many book enthusiasts. Over the period of the 12 days of the event several eminent personalities of social repute visited the stall and quite a few of them were more than happy to leave their notes and remarks. Noteworthy among them are Sumanta Chaliha, Vice-President, Publication Board, Assam, Rabin Bar, Smt. Mridula Barua, Rima Das and a host of others.
On 3rd January 2024 the 87th birth anniversary of Dr. Kali Prasad Sinha, PhD,, D.Litt, Geetacharya was observed in the pavilion in a solemn ceremony. The most famous & decorated personality belonging to the Bishnupriya Manipuri community, a scholar of Sanskrit and Philosophy of international repute, a Linguist and an Educationist. His invaluable works were in display on the pavilion for the day. Unfortunately though, barring “The Bishnupriya Manipuri to English dictionary, which was recently published by Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Sabha, no other books were available for purchase. However, 50 copies of one of his writings published in a booklet form namely “Bishnupriya Manipuris – Their Language Literature and Culture” was distributed free to the visitors on this occasion. The ex-president of Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Sabha was present on the occasion to pay his tributes to the great soul who was also conferred the “Jaatir Janak” title by Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Sabha.
A special display of the works of another luminary of the community, who is considered the doyen of Bishnupriya Manipuri literature, an author of great repute Shri Brojendra Kumar Sinha, who also has many works under his pseudo-name “Dhananjay Rajkumar”. His prolific career in literature includes published works on poetry, drama, short stories and essays not only in Bishnupriya Manipuri but also in Bengali and English.
Shri Sunil Kumar Sinha, the president of the Guwahati Aanchalik Committe of Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Sabha stated that the organisation has plans to publish at least 4 books per year for the readers and help imbibe revival of the reading books within the community. Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Sabha thanks the Publication Board, Assam and the All Assam Publishers and Book Sellers Association for accommodating their participation.