Skip to content Skip to navigation

Golok Samman 2023 Announced: Four Young Honourees Recognized

By AT News |

The prestigious Golok Samman for 2023 has been announced, honoring four distinguished young individuals for their exceptional contributions in the fields of art, translation, research, and environmental activism. The award, instituted by the UD Foundation in memory of the noted translator and social worker Golok Chandra Datta, celebrates those who have made significant cultural and social impacts in Assam.

This year’s recipients are Dr. Sanjeev Bora, a renowned artist; Avantika Parashar, a noted translator; Rajesh Dattabaruah, an environmental activist; and Dr. Baburam Saikia, a Sattriya dancer and researcher.

Recognizing Talent in Art and Visual Media

Dr. Sanjeev Bora has been recognized for his remarkable contributions to fine arts. Known for his unique artistic style, Bora has illustrated more than 2,000 books for various publishers, including prominent publications from Northeast India. His expertise spans both traditional and digital media, and he has worked on posters and designs for films as well. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor at Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University. His award reflects his ongoing contributions to Assamese visual arts, enriching the landscape with his distinctive creations.

Celebrating the Art of Translation

Avantika Parashar, honored for her achievements in translation, made her debut with the Assamese translation of Edith Nesbit’s ‘The Railway Children’. Her other works include translations of ‘King Solomon’s Mines’ and Martin Luther King Jr.’s autobiography. Parashar is also an accomplished writer, with several original short story collections to her name. Her forthcoming works include a collection of Rabha folk tales, and the Assamese translation of Devdutt Pattanaik’s ‘My Gita’.

Environmental Activism in Focus

Rajesh Dattabaruah has been recognized for his tireless efforts as an environmental activist. Best known for popularizing the “Mobile Dustbin” concept, Dattabaruah has been working since 2012 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of carbon emissions and single-use plastics. His work extends to conserving Assam’s rivers, protecting the state’s aquatic wildlife such as the Gangetic dolphin, and addressing issues like human-wildlife conflict, especially with elephants.

Honoring Sattriya Dance and Research

Dr. Baburam Saikia has been awarded for his contributions to Sattriya dance and research. A distinguished performer, Dr. Saikia has showcased Assam’s traditional dance on national and international stages, including in France, Germany, and the USA. In addition to his performances, Dr. Saikia is a scholar with a PhD in folklore from Tartu University, Estonia. He has also been a visiting scholar at institutions like Elon University in the USA and the National University of Ireland.

Award Ceremony Set for October

The awards will be presented in a ceremony in Guwahati during the first week of October. Notably, the Golok Award’s symbol and trophy were designed by Kolkata-based artist Sourish Mitra, with the trophies crafted by Assamese sculptor Biju Das.

The ‘Golok Samman’, established to honor individuals who work dedicatedly to developing Assam’s cultural and social heritage, continues to spotlight those making a difference in the state.

  • 545782 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Shameful act by Assam police is a blot to the Government: TMC

Assam TMC chief and AITC national spokesperson Ripun Bora on Thursday strongly condemned the shocking incident reported from Ghograpara Police Station in Nalbari district where an underage girl in lock up was stripped by a police officer and being photographed. Bora alleged that the actions of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to empower Assam Police personnel against controlling crime resulted in extreme Police Raaj in the state. The shameful incident which happened at Ghograpar Police Station on the unfortunate night of June 21 is reported by the girl on June 26 at Nalbari district head police station, however no action was taken on that complaint till 28th June. Commenting on this, Ripun Bora...

Tata Institute of Social Sciences celebrates 10th Convocation ceremony

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati Off-Campus celebrated its 10th Convocation ceremony on June 23, 2023. The event was held at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre Auditorium, Guwahati and was graced by the presence of Prof. Manorama Sharma, Professor (Retd.), Dept. of History, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), who served as the Chief Guest. The Director of the Institute, Prof. Shalini Bharat and Officiating Registrar, Prof. Sasmita Palo were also present at the ceremony. During the convocation ceremony, 154 students who graduated in the year 2023 were awarded their degrees. One student was conferred with a PhD degree in Social Sciences while 112 students obtained their...

State TMC dead opposed to delimitation draft

The TMC Assam unit has opposed the draft delimitation proposal published by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday evening. The proposal is prepared based on the 2001 census, which the TMC claims is not correct as there has been a change in the population pattern in the state. Assam TMC chief Ripun Bora has alleged that the ECI is following the dictates of the BJP party and that the delimitation process on such short notice reflects the assurance of electoral gains through voter division. Bora also stated that the delimitation cannot be accepted without the completion of proper NRC and that TMC has been demanding delimitation on the latest census. The TMC has rejected the draft...

Appeal to stop violence in Manipur

We are deeply concerned about the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur between the Meitei community and the tribal Kuki and Zo communities. We demand an immediate halt to this violence that is causing large scale disruption of lives, livelihoods and properties and unleashing even more terror among people. The immediate trigger to this violence was an April 2023 Manipur High Court order advising the state government to grant the Meitei community (members of which now have either OBC or in some cases SC status) the status of Scheduled Tribe. Thereby, the Meitei community would have access to land that is currently reserved for tribal communities. Several spates of violence broke...

Himanta must step down as NEDA convenor: Ripun Bora

Assam TMC chief Ripun Bora on Thursday in a couple of tweets expressed his angst for the inaction of the Central Government in not taking any steps to investigate into the alleged links between Assam CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP leader Ram Madhav with terrorist outfit. In a tweet, Bora questions the credibility of the Government of India as it has been using central agencies like CBI & ED against opposition leaders all the time. Then why is GOI silent on the allegations of Assam CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma being involved with Kuki militants in the Manipur election in 2017? Bora demanded a NIA probe into the allegations and arrest of Sarma under NSA Act. Meanwhile, he also stated...

Support Relief Efforts in Manipur

Here's an appeal for donations for the relief effort currently being undertaken by  by Rural Women Upiftment Society, Manipur. Online donations can be made to the organisation through at https://milaap.org/fundraisers/support-rural-women-upliftment-society . Dear friends, The devastating ethnic violence and arson that unfolded in Manipur since May 3rd, 2023, have left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of over 100 people, injuring more than 5,000, and displacing an estimated 70,000 individuals. Numerous homes, villages, and churches have been reduced to ashes, leaving families without shelter or land to return to. The situation is dire and urgent...

Balasore train accident: why Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw must resign?

In a devastating incident on 2 June 2023, three trains collided near the city of Balasore in Odisha, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life and a large number of injuries. The collision involved the 12841 Coromandel Express, the 12864 SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express, and a goods train near the Bahanaga Bazar railway station. The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the country, and questions are being raised about the safety measures in place within the Indian Railways. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has previously published an audit report exposing the neglect of crucial rail safety by the Modi government and Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The report revealed...

Boundary wall to AEC need of the hour: AAEA

Guwahati: The All Assam Engineers' Association (AAEA) has strongly called for the demarcation of the Assam Engineering College campus and the construction of a solid boundary wall to safeguard the prestigious institution in Jalukbari, Northeast India. The organization, while expressing condolences for the recent tragic incident that claimed the lives of seven AEC students, emphasized the need for a secure residential campus where hostel residents cannot venture out after specified evening hours. Following the incident, concerns were raised regarding security measures at the college. The AAEA's statement highlighted the fact that the AEC campus is no longer isolated as it was decades ago...

Tough time for Biren Singh in Manipur

An undying orgy of violence in Manipur puts Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a tough time to continue his second consecutive term.  Highly placed sources have said the escalating tension in the BJP-ruled north eastern state is forcing the party leadership to consider a change in the state government leadership as an urgent measure to help the state bail out of the crisis that has left 53000 people homeless so far. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a four-day visit to the restive state, is learnt to have been considering all  possible aspects to quell the situation.  The symbolic anthem “We Shall Overcome” reverberated the air filled with tears and fears. All...

AAEA condoles AECians’ death, insists on disciplinary measures

Guwahati: Expressing profound grief at the demise of seven brilliant students of Assam Engineering College (AEC) in a tragic late-night accident on 29 May 2023, All Assam Engineer’s Association (AAEA) urges the college authority to impose some basic disciplinary measures urgently. The forum of graduate engineers (many of them AECians) also wishes an early recovery to all the injured students and others in the fatal road mishap.  The AEC Hostel 7 boarders were returning to the residential college campus from western part of the city and faced the accident near the Jalukbari overbridge. The luxury car carrying ten students hit the divider first and then a goods carrier on the other...