GUWAHATI, March 2 � Seven outstanding persons of the state were honoured for their unstinted work for promotion of peace, brotherhood and understanding among people at a function organised at Phanidhar Dutta Auditorium of Gauhati University on Sunday. Two of the recipients of the honour got it posthumously � Syed Abdul Malik and Dr Mohammad Taher. The other recipients are litterateur Homen Borgohain, poet Nalinidhar Bhattacharyya, novelist Arun Sarma, educationist Prof Chandra Mohan Sarma and social activist Birubala Rabha,
The organisers of the event were the Justice & Equity Demand Samiti (JEDS) and the management of the Assamese monthly magazine Ayna. The event also marked the completion of three successful years of Ayna.
Prof Abdul Mannan of Gauhati University in his speech emphasised the importance of education for the inclusive development of people living in the fringe areas of Assam. Prof AC Bhagawati, former Vice Chancellor�of Rajiv Gandhi University�in Arunachal Pradesh, who presided over the event, lauded the role of Ayna in fighting injustice in the society and appealed to all sections of the people to support this initiative.
The plaque and the award for Syed Abdul Malik were received by his three daughters Zinaida, Farzina and Manna. Manna also sang a few stanzas from Malik�s eternal song Jiwone morone moi Asomiya.
Homen Borgohain mentioned the name of Osman Saudagar who had set up an Assamese medium school in Nagaon way back in 1902 even though his ancestors were immigrants to Assam.
Amiyatul Nesa, a budding singer from Manikpur of Baghbar area in Barpeta District delighted the audience with her heart-touching rendition of self-composed songs that portrayed the trouble and turmoil afflicting the people living in the char areas of Assam. The daylong programme came to an end after a panel discussion on the present scenario in Assam and the need to create awareness for facing the challenges.
