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Sabha�s LN Phookan award to Nitya Bora

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 23 - For his contributions in the field of journalism, Nitya Bora, Editor of Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin, was conferred the Lakshmi Nath Phookan Journalism Award 2017 by the Asam Sahitya Sabha at a function organised here today.

The award, instituted in the name of prominent journalist and the founder Editor of The Assam Tribune, Lakshmi Nath Phookan, carries a memento, a citation, a collection of books and a cash award of Rs 10,000. Earlier, the coveted award has been conferred on eminent journalists Tilak Hazarika, Radhika Mohan Bhagawati and Dhirendra Nath Bezboruah.

Associated with the editing work of a number of small magazines, Nitya Bora started his journalistic career with the magazine Manideep and later became the Editor of the magazine Asomiya Kabita and Sampratik Samayiki. He has also contributed to Asom Bani and Sadin.

Speaking on the occasion, Sabha president Dr Dhrubajyoti Bora said that against the growing concern about the preservation of the Assamese language, the State of Assam, particularly its political class, totally lacks will to work on this front.

�The Union government has taken up the initiative to promote Hindi language in its offices, through advanced software and dedicating two days a week for training the Central government employees in the language. If we have to promote our language, we will have to take the help the technology and the political will is a must to implement it. But, sadly enough, political leaders of Assam do not have the will, goodwill or the vision to do this,� he rued.

In his acceptance speech, Nitya Bora highlighted the deteriorating democratic basis of the country and the rise of autocratic outlook of the elected government.

�Today, the democratic values of the country are facing a challenge like never before. After a glorious chapter of India�s Independence, the country was let open for corruption to spread its roots and affect our democracy under the Congress rule. The present government, on the other hand, brought its own set of troubles in the name of nationalism, religion and a lopsided approach to every issue.

�In reality, both the governments adopted a policy to favour the big corporate, depriving the common citizens. There is discontentment prevailing everywhere from press to the judiciary. Now, with the rest of the country, Assam is also facing the heat with issues like citizenship to illegal migrants, big dams and auction of oilfields, to name a few,� he added. He thanked the Sahitya Sabha for instituting an award in the name of a stalwart like LN Phookan.

Esha Bosoror Nirbachita Asomiya Sahitya Parikrama was released on the occasion. Eminent litterateur and translator from West Bengal Shaktimoy Das, Sahityacharya Upen Sarma and president-elect of the Asam Sahitya Sabha Paramananda Rajbongshi also spoke on the occasion.

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