JALUKBARI, Jan 18 - Governor PB Acharya gave away the first Manju Rani (Goswami) Barkataki Memorial Gold Medal to Puja Baruah, a GU anthropology topper, at a ceremony held today at the Phanidhar Dutta Seminar Hall, Gauhati University under the joint auspices of the Department of Anthropology, GU and Gauhati University Overseas Alumni Association (GUOAA).
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the university, expressed his happiness that awarding gold medals to toppers which was discontinued due to financial constraints, has been resumed this year at the initiative of the GUOAA. In this context, he said foreign universities do not get any government funds to award gold medals to toppers; instead the alumni of those universities donate the medals every year. This practice ought to be started in India also, he added.
The Governor further urged the researchers of GU to focus on the needs and problems of society. He also congratulated Puja Baruah on her achievement.
Prof Mini Bhattacharjya Thakur, HoD, Anthropology, GU, who delivered the welcome address, informed the august gathering that the practice of awarding gold medals which had remained unimplemented for the past several years, was being resumed this year.
She said the family of late Manju Rani (Goswami) Barkataki has decided to award a gold medal every year to the GU student who excels in the masters level in anthropology.
GU Vice Chancellor Dr Mridul Hazarika in his speech said that students who excel in their studies need to be encouraged by way of awards in order to further motivate them to study harder and work for the good of society. He lauded the noble step taken by the family of Manju Rani (Goswami) Barkataki to award a gold medal every year. Such initiatives he said, would inspire the students as well as the teaching community to excel in their duties.
Mrs Allen Barbara, ex-mayor of Seaham, England, who was present as the guest of honour, highlighted the life and works of Manju Rani (Goswami) Barkataki, to whom she was very close. She recalled Manju Rani�s helping hand to everyone in need, encouraging them to achieve something in life.
