Daoharu Fwthar near Khoirabari town in Assam’s Udalguri district has been decked up for the three-day annual conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, the apex literary organisation of the Bodos, which will kick-off on Wednesday.

The 59th edition of the event will discuss the development of Bodo-medium institutions, prospects of Bodo language, besides issues like the peace talks with NDFB factions, among others.

As many as 3,000 delegates and 500 observers will attend the conference, besides lakhs of visitors, at the venue spread over 300 bighas.

Guests and delegates from across Assam, Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and countries like Bangladesh and Nepal will attend.

“The guests, delegates and visitors coming to enjoy this mega literary event will be impressed by the hospitality and warmth of the locals. It will remain etched in their memories,” said Bhargab Das, convener of the publicity sub-committee.

“The local residents consider themselves fortunate to host this mega literary congregation as one can feel a sense of unity and fraternity among the various linguistic communities who are working hard to showcase Udalguri to the rest of the world. With the help and service of different communities, this conference is going to usher in a new history,” he added.

“A massive dining hall has been built, which can accommodate at least 5,000 people at a time and 500 have volunteered to cook meals for delegates and visitors,” said Lwmshrao Daimary, Bodoland Territorial Council executive member and president of the reception committee.

Kalaigaon legislator and working president of the reception committee, Maheswar Boro, said a budget of Rs 1.5 crore has been approved for the event and various individuals and organisations have extended their support and cooperation.

Over 300 stalls will exhibit handloom and other products of indigenous communities.

Several places of historic and religious importance in and around Khoirabari like the Hirimba Bathou temple, Mungkhlong garden and Tamreswar Devalaya, have been decorated for the event.

The open session on January 22 will be inaugurated by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal in the presence of human resource development minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, Asam Sahitya Sabha president Paramananda Rajbongshi and Central Institute of Indian Languages director D.G. Rao. Linguist Scott DeLancey, from University of Oregon, whose work focuses on typology and linguistics of Tibeto-Burman languages and North American indigenous languages will also grace the event.

Singer Kalpana Patowary will perform at the cultural night on the concluding day.