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.

  • 552933 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

A Grand Welcome for Gaurav Gogoi in Jorhat

Thousands of party leaders and workers gave a warm welcome to Gaurav Gogoi as he set foot in Jorhat for the first time since becoming the Assam Pradesh Congress President. Gogoi, son of the late former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, visited his personal residence in Jorhat district. Reflecting on his father's political beginnings in Jorhat, he remarked, “I feel my father’s blessings from wherever he is today. This is a moment of immense joy and gratitude for me. I am thankful to the people of Jorhat.” Gogoi told the media, “Had I not won the Lok Sabha elections from Jorhat, I don’t think our central leadership would have given me this significant responsibility.” Upon his arrival from...

Roll back arms license move: Gogoi to Govt

New Delhi: The Assam Government’s recent policy for arms license for the indigenous people might lead to the spike in the fake encounter case if one goes by Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi.    Gogoi on Friday strongly slammed the criticised government's decision to grant arms licenses to civilians near border regions and demanded steps to halt the move. According to Gogoi, the policy is detrimental to Assam and its people which instead will serve the interests of the ruling party.. The people of Assam, he said, want water, employment, education and healthcare.  He further said the genuine shopkeepers and traders might face difficulties and that the guns would...

No chance of immediate let-up in weather

Guwahati: There is no chance of an immediate let-up in the weather that dampens Assam.   According to what the weathermen say the weather pattern was anticipated to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds to many parts of Assam. A low-pressure area was located over the Northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast and it is expected to move northwards and concentrate into a depression over the North Bay of Bengal. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has predicted unrelenting downpours in the city of Guwahati which might aggravate waterlogging situation resulting in slow traffic movement with increasing landslides. The authorities have urged...

Rains wreak havoc in Guwahati

Guwahati: More than half of the areas in the city of Guwahati have come under the rain waters wreaking no less havoc since Thursday. There is no let up in the situation following incessant rainfall during the last 24 hours. Key areas in the gateway of the north eastern region such as Anil Nagar, Nabin Nagar, Beltola, Rukminigaon, Hatigaon, Wireless and B. Borooah Road have been submerged where streets----big and small have turned into flowing water channels disrupting normal lives. Hundreds of vehicles have been stranded on the road as homes, offices, shops and markets have submerged in the rain waters. Assam State Disaster Management workers have been engaged to deal with the...

B’deshis missing from detention!

Guwahati: Amid concern over the allegations of arbitrary detention of two ‘identified Bangladeshi nationals’, the Gauhati High Court has asked the  Assam government to disclose their whereabouts fearing illegal pushbacks across the Indo-Bangladesh border. A division bench of Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Malasri Nandi directive Dispur as they were hearing a writ petition. According to the petitioner, the duo namely Akbar Ali and Abu Bakkar Siddik were taken into custody by the Nagarbera police station in Kamrup district on May 25 without any information to the families. It is further alleged that the duo at risk of being "illegally pushed into Bangladesh" without...

A Heartfelt Review of Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq — Through the Eyes of a Young Reader

Based on YouTube Review by: Priyanka Saha, English Literature Student, Bangalore. A day before the world would learn that Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq had won the 2025 International Booker Prize, a young voice from Bangalore shared a moving, deeply personal review of the book on YouTube. That voice was Priyanka Saha, a literature student who not only read the book but met the author in person, received a signed copy from both Banu Mushtaq and translator Deep Bashi, and offered her sincere wish that Heart Lamp would win the prize. Priyanka’s review stands out—not for its technical analysis or literary jargon—but for its vulnerability, clarity, and emotional honesty. Her words are not...

Arms for citizens in border areas

Guwahati: The Assam Government is clearing the decks for arms licenses to the people dwelling in the border areas. Same would be applicable in case of the vulnerable areas of the state to boost self-defence capabilities in the sensitive areas. This was what Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters in Guwaahti on Wednesday after the cabinet meeting presided over by him in the capital Sarma said, " We will issue arms licences to eligible individuals living in vulnerable and border areas and we will encourage local indigenous citizens to apply for arms licenses under the provisions of the Arms Act.” According to information, the government will soon issue detailed guidelines...

Gaurav Gogoi to lead Cong in poll bound Assam

Defying an aroused allegations of ISI-link, Congress has appointed MP Gaurav Gogoi as the new Assam party giving the party in rank and file an occasion to rejoice from Monday. Gogoi, the deputy leader of Parliament on Monday replaced Bhupen Bora whose term expired less than a year ahead of the assembly polls in 2026.  In his reactionGaurav Gogoi wrote on X that he is grateful to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal for trusting him with this responsibility. Acknowledging the contributions of his predecessor, Gogoi praised former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhupen Kumar Borah for his leadership...

Akhil urges Gaurav for Opp unity

Guwahati: Rajor Dal’s sole MLA from Sivasagar Akhil Gogoi, on Tuesday welcomed the Congress party’s decision to appoint Gaurav Gogoi as the state president.  He also urged Gogoi to unite the opposition parties to take on BJP in the next assembly polls. “We welcome Gaurav Gogoi as the state president of the Congress party in Assam. We earlier gave a deadline of May 30 for commencing alliance talks with the Congress for the next year’s Assembly elections. However, as Gaurav Gogoi has been newly appointed to take charge of the party, we would like to give them some more time to begin alliance talks.”  

Successfully combating child marriage: Sarma

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday claimed that Assam alone has been combating the child marriage to be followed by many other states. According to Sarma, his government's ambitious scheme, Nijut Moina, to support girl child by providing benefits, has proven hugely beneficial for eliminating child marriage from society. He said, "The #NijutMoina Achoni is helping girls across Assam to realise their aspirations by saving them from the curse of child marriage and allowing them to pursue their education. Let's hear from our little Bhagins on how this scheme has touched their lives." According to him, beneficiary schemes like the Nijut Moina initiative have...