GUWAHATI, Dec 13 - Veteran journalists Radhika Mohan Bhagawati and Tilak Hazarika were presented the Lakshmi Nath Phookan memorial award and the Harendranath Barua memorial award respectively by the Golaghat Press Club here today.
The awards commemorating the lives of two veteran journalists have been instituted to honour dedicated journalists of the State. Each award carries a citation, a cheleng chador, a gamosa, a japi and cash award of Rs 10,000.
While Bhagawati was awarded in a function organised at the Guwahati Press Club, the organisers went to the Silpukhuri residence of veteran journalist Tilak Hazarika to present the award.
In his acceptance speech, Bhagawati, editor of the Dainik Asam, said he was honoured to receive the award instituted in the name of an eminent and most respected journalist of the State. �Though I have always tried to assess my role in maintaining the journalistic accountability, the social recognition from time to time definitely give a moral support,� he said.
Observing that journalism has undergone a sea change in recent times, specially after 1990, he said that the responsibility of media houses are far more complex in nature now. �With social media making inroads and revolutionary Acts like the RTI being in place, media has to be far more responsible and accountable to prove its worth,� he added.
Receiving the award, Tilak Hazarika said he had imbibed the ideology of Harendra Nath Barua in his journalistic career. �Though age has put some restrictions on my physical activities, I am mentally still very active,� he added.
Eminent Gandhian and social activist, Bhagawati Prasad Ladia, was also remembered on the occasion of his birth anniversary today.
While speaking as the chief guest of the functyion today, Kanak Sen Deka remembered the contributions of the eminent personalities of Golaghat, including Bhagawati Prasad Ladia.
�Though we are always conscious about our Assamese identity, a very few of us really contribute towards the community. For a community to grow and prosper, compassion among its members is a must, and we should learn it from the Marwari community, who contribute liberally for social causes and support institutions like schools, colleges and hospitals,� he said.
Lauding the role of Radhika Mohan Bhagawati, he said that Bhagawati has been the leading light in the field of journalism for the past several decades.
A book published by Bhagawati Prakashan, Depression: Ek Ashirvaad, written by Premlata Khandelwal, was also released on the occasion.
Journalist Nava Thakuria was also present in the programme.
