President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday urged the Bodo Sahitya Sabha to encourage women writers. To keep any literature alive and relevant, the participation of the younger generation is very important. Therefore, special encouragement should also be given to young writers by the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, the President said.

The President was speaking at the 61st annual conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha at Tamulpur in Assam on Wednesday. President Kovind noted that many women are writing in different genres of Bodo literature. But only two women are among senior writers who have received the Sahitya Akademi Award for original works, the President said while urging the 'Bodo Sahitya Sabha' to encourage women writers.

The President appreciated the Bodo Sahitya Sabha for making invaluable contributions for past 70 years in strengthening the Bodo language, literature and culture. He said that founder-president of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha Joy Bhadra Hagzer and general secretary Sonaram Thosen had made commendable efforts in recognition of Bodo language.

So far 17 writers have been awarded Sahitya Akademi Awards for their works in Bodo language. And out of that 10 have been awarded for poetry work. This shows the natural inclination towards poetry among Bodo writers, the President noted.

May is very important for the Bodo people as they remember Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma on May 1 which is his death anniversary. Bodofa had spread the message of "live and let live". His message of maintaining harmony with all communities while conscious of Bodo self-pride will be forever relevant, the President said.

The President added that the conservation and promotion of local languages is the responsibility of the society and the government and appealed to the government of Assam to make efforts to promote the Bodo language.