Assam is now renamed Asom

Assam was renamed Asom by the State Government on Monday, bringing to an end perhaps the last symbol of British colonial rule. The State Cabinet has formally approved the change. British rulers, some 180-years ago, changed Asom (pronounced Ahom) to Assam, unable to pronounce the word correctly. “The Cabinet discussed the matter and accepted the suggestion made by renowned Assamese litterateur Chandra Prasad Saikia that the State’s name should be changed to Asom from Assam,” State Finance and Planning Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said. People have hailed the decision to revert to the State’s original name.