The Assam government has stepped up its efforts to strengthen the digital presence of the Assamese language and create new opportunities for the state’s film and creative industries by reviewing the progress of two major initiatives at Janata Bhawan.Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah chaired two separate meetings on Thursday to assess the progress of work on the standardisation of the Assamese script in Unicode and the proposal to launch a dedicated over-the-top (OTT) platform for Assamese films and digital content.In the first meeting, the minister reviewed the work being carried out by the expert committee constituted by the state government to facilitate the inclusion and standardisation of the Assamese script in Unicode. Senior officials of the Cultural Affairs Department and members of the committee participated in the discussion.
During the review, Borah examined the progress made so far and discussed ways to speed up the standardisation process. He said proper Unicode recognition for the Assamese script is important not only for preserving the language but also for expanding its presence across digital platforms in India and abroad.He noted that Unicode standardisation would make the Assamese language easier to use across computers, mobile devices and other digital systems, helping improve accessibility while ensuring the language remains relevant in a technology-driven world. The minister directed departmental officials to provide regular progress reports so that the work moves forward without unnecessary delays. Later in the day, Borah chaired another meeting to review a proposal for developing a dedicated OTT platform for Assamese films and digital content. The proposed platform is intended to provide filmmakers, artists and content creators from Assam with a dedicated digital space to showcase their work and reach wider audiences.
Officials presented an audio-visual demonstration of a prototype model of the proposed platform during the meeting. After reviewing the presentation, the minister discussed its potential to strengthen Assam’s creative ecosystem and support the growth of regional entertainment.The proposed platform is expected to help Assamese films and original digital content reach viewers beyond the Northeast, while also creating greater visibility among national and international audiences. It is also expected to open up fresh opportunities for filmmakers, producers and other creative professionals associated with the state’s cultural sector. Additional Chief Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department B. Kalyan Chakravarthy, Director Rahul Chandra Das, senior departmental officials and members of the expert committee attended the meetings.
