GUWAHATI, Nov 10 � The Kamal Kumari National Awards for the year 2009 and Siva Prasad Barooah Award for Journalism 2009 were bestowed on three eminent personalities in a solemn function held in the city today. The recipients of the prestigious awards conferred by the Kamal Kumari Foundation were Begum Parween Sultana Khan, Professor Roddam Narasimha, and journalist Radhika Mohan Bhagawati.
Each of the awards comprise a citation, a trophy, a shawl and a draft of Rs 2 lakh, which were handed over by HP Barooah, chairman of the foundation.
The Kamal Kumari National Award for Art and Culture 2009 was awarded to Parween Sultana Khan for her immense contribution in the field of music. The citation mentioned that her style �is a rare mix of abandon and control� and �her trademark taans are swift as quicksilver, but always flawlessly accurate�.
The singer in her acceptance speech thanked the Kamal Kumari Foundation and said that it was a proud moment to receive such an honour in her motherland.
The Kamal Kumari National Award for Science and Technology 2009, was conferred on Prof Roddam Narasimha, an internationally acclaimed aerospace scientist. The award recognised his achievements in several spheres, which include scientific breakthroughs as well as academic distinctions in top aerospace facilities.
Prof Roddam in his acceptance speech recalled his parents, teachers as well as his students who gave him encouragement and support. He also mentioned a few institutions like Caltech that created great learning opportunities for him.
The Siva Prasad Barooah National Award for Journalism 2009, was presented to senior journalist Radhika Mohan Bhagawati, currently the editor of Dainik Asam newspaper.
The Kamal Kumari Foundation recognised his knowledge of regional, national and international affairs, as well as his �ability to see the larger picture through developing events, and his forceful and impartial interpretation of them�.
Accepting the award, Bhagawati appealed to the media of the region to realise the strength of their excellent roots, and said that a time has come to act responsibly and with restraint. He said that the early tradition of excellence in journalism in Assam has to be revived, and a process of awareness and introspection should inform the work of media persons.
Earlier in his welcome address, HP Barooah, Chairman of the Kamal Kumari Foundation spoke briefly about the awards, and highlighted a few charitable deeds of the foundation that instituted the awards in 1990. The Siva Prasad Barooah National Award for Journalism was instituted in 1999.
