GUWAHATI, Aug 9 � Eminent oncologist Dr Tapan Kumar Saikia received the journalist Kamala Saikia Memorial National Award instituted in the memory of martyred journalist and freedom fighter Kamala Saikia, on the occasion of his 23rd death anniversary today.
Dr Saikia, a renowned name worldwide in the field of cancer treatment and research, has a career spanning 33 years. He has served at the Tata Memorial Hospital and presently he is the Head of Medical Oncology and Research Director at the Prince Aly Khan Hospital and oncologist and transplant physician at the Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.
The award, instituted by the Journalist Kamala Saikia Memorial Trust, carries a citation and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh.
Accepting the award on behalf of thousands of doctors working in the field of cancer care, Dr Saikia said that with improvements in medical science, it is possible to increase the life span of cancer patients or cure the disease in some cases, provided the problem is diagnosed in its early stage.
Lauding the role of the Dipshikha Foundation in helping cancer patients, he donated his cash award to the Foundation, which was received by
Debashish Sarma, Deputy Resident Commissioner, Assam House, Mumbai.
Delivering the 13th memorial lecture, educationist and journalist Dr Arabinda Mazumdar, who headed the Department of Communication and Journalism of Gauhati University for more than 20 years, highlighted the struggle for freedom of the Press in different parts of the world with special emphasis on the role of the Press during India�s freedom struggle.
�A common factor dominated the history of the Press across the globe; more the clashes in society, more newspapers came up attracting the young scholars of the time. During the pre-Independent period, the aim of the Press was to liberate the people from age-old prejudices and liberate the nation from the British imperialism,� he said.
�Today, journalism has become a profession rather than a mission, but the fate of journalists has remained the same, with journalists facing threats to their lives. The only way to deal with it is a global unity among the journalists, where the plight of one journalist is highlighted in every corner of the world. To solve their problems, journalists have to emerge as one strong global community,� he said.
Speaking about Kamala Saikia, he said Saikia was an indomitable spirit who stood by his principles against all adversities.
Speaking as president of the function, journalist and former president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha Kanaksen Deka said that with the concept of �welfare State� fading away gradually in present times, journalists have a bigger responsibility to ensure that the democratic nature of the country remains intact.