In a bid to revive and mainstream the culture of reading, the Assam government has officially declared 2025 as the “Year of Reading.” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made the announcement through social media, unveiling a series of wide-ranging initiatives aimed at promoting books, authorship, and literary engagement across the state.
“We are celebrating 2025 as the Year of Reading with a host of initiatives to incentivise reading and bring back the culture of books to the mainstream,” the Chief Minister stated.
We are celebrating 2025 as the Year of Reading with a host of initiatives to incentivise reading and bring back the culture of books to the mainstream. pic.twitter.com/0BNpfBUYj7
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 28, 2025
Key initiatives under the campaign include:
- ₹25,000 each for 1,000 young writers across Assam to encourage budding literary talent.
- ₹5 lakh grants for district-level Book Fairs approved by the Assam Publication Board and ₹2.5 lakh for book fairs at co-district headquarters.
- A ₹1,000 book grant for every government employee in the state.
- Statewide literary festivals, reading marathons, and book-related events to engage communities of all ages.
The campaign is designed to not only support the literary ecosystem in Assam but also to spark a habit of reading among youth and public servants alike. Authorities hope the program will bolster regional literature and publishing while providing platforms for new voices and writers.
The image shared by the Chief Minister shows him reading Assamese literature, symbolizing the state’s cultural heritage and personal endorsement of the initiative.
The Year of Reading is expected to roll out statewide in January 2025, with more details and schedules to be announced in the coming months.
