GUWAHATI, Aug 8 � Asam Sahitya Sabha president Rong Bong Terang today presented the Gariyoshi-Chandra Prasad Saikia Short Story Award to the winners Shyamajyoti Saikia (first), Girish Saikia (second) and Juri Baruah (third) at a function held at Lakhiram Baruah Sadan here.
The first, second and third winners were honoured with citations, besides Rs 5,000, Rs 2,500 and Rs 1500 respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, eminent playwright Arun Sarma dwelt at length on the work culture of Chandra Prasad Saikia and the soft corner that he had for the young writers. He described Saikia as a hard task master who did not take a �no� from the writers.
Sarma said that Saikia�s way of working compelled the writers to shed their lethargy and concentrate on finishing their work on time.
Sarma further said that Saikia always encouraged young writers and gave their writings the space whichever magazine he worked with as editor including Gariyoshi.
Sarma also pointed out that many Assamese novels first got space in Gariyoshi before being published as books. Throwing light on Saikia�s love for plays, Sarma added that the litterateur considered play writing as an important genre of literature.
On the other hand, Rong Bong Terang recalled his association with Saikia and said that he would be forever grateful to Saikia for introducing him � a writer from the hills of Assam � to readers scattered across the plains.
Terang said that Saikia was keen on ushering in a new age in Assamese literature and that was one of the reasons for his interest in promoting young writers.
One of the judges of the Gariyoshi-Chandra Prasad Saikia Short Story Award, Debabrata Das said that new writers needed to work hard on their technique and expand their reading horizon.
Two other judges of the competition, Suresh Chakravorty and Dilip Bora, while congratulating the winners, advised them to read world literature as that would help them improve their technique. Bora said that the young writers should not consider competitions and awards as the end, and move ahead with an openness to embrace the new.
In his address, noted author and Editor of Gariyoshi Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora advised the upcoming writers to know about life and people to bring depth in short stories. He called Saikia an institution, and said that short story writing in the State was changing in keeping with the upheavals over the years.
The function was attended by many prominent citizens including PG Baruah, Editor of The Assam Tribune and Radhika Mohan Bhagawati, Editor of Dainik Asom.
