A national-level seminar organised by the Sadou Asom Matak Yuva–Chatra Parishad on the theme “Development, Growth Prospects and Challenges of the Matak Community in Assam” concluded successfully at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi.
The seminar witnessed in-depth deliberations on the historical background, socio-economic conditions, educational progress, cultural preservation, political participation and the overall development challenges faced by the indigenous Matak community of Assam. Speakers highlighted the need for focused policy interventions to ensure the community’s inclusive growth.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, attended the programme as a distinguished guest and underlined the vast development potential of the Matak community. He emphasised the importance of appropriate policy measures by both the Central and State governments to address longstanding issues affecting the community. The programme was welcomed by Prastuti Neog, a meritorious student and emerging singer from the community, while the inaugural address was delivered by David Chetia, Chief Executive Councillor of the Matak Autonomous Council.
Retired Chief Justice of Manipur, Siddhartha Mridul, addressed the seminar as the keynote speaker. Rajya Sabha MP Birendra Prasad Baishya, who attended as an invited guest, stressed the urgent need to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Matak community, preserve royal-era historical monuments, and take immediate steps towards educational and economic empowerment.
Senior advocate of the Delhi High Court and legal adviser to the Matak Yuva–Chatra Parishad, Manish Das, also spoke at the event as a distinguished guest. Assam Tourism Development Corporation chairman Ritupon Barua, in his goodwill message, said that holding such a seminar on a national platform like New Delhi was a significant step in drawing the attention of national policymakers to the demands and problems of the Matak community. He added that the resolutions adopted at the seminar would be submitted to the Central government and concerned authorities in the coming days.
The organisers expressed hope that the national-level seminar would further strengthen unity, awareness and organised efforts within the Matak community. Among those present were central president of the Sadou Asom Matak Yuva–Chatra Parishad Uday Shankar Mohan, vice-presidents Ananta Barua and Dibyajyoti Gogoi, general secretary Ujjwal Barua, All Assam Matak Students’ Union New Delhi president Palash Gogoi, and All Assam Students’ Union Delhi unit general secretary Rishikesh Kalita.
