Assam journalists honoured at Narad Jayanti celebration in Guwahati

By A Representative 

Veteran Assamese journalist Nava Thakuria was conferred the annual Devarshi Narad Jayanti Award at a function organised by Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK) Assam at Sudarshanalaya in the Barbari locality of Guwahati on June 7. Three young journalists—Ranjita Rabha of Pratham Khabar News Channel, Lakhyajit Gohain of NK Television, and Mridul Haloi of Dainik Asom—were also felicitated during the event.

The programme featured an address by Prakhar Shrivastava, senior consulting editor and anchor at Delhi Doordarshan Kendra, who spoke on contemporary socio-political issues, journalism, and historical developments. He observed that the propagation and interpretation of half-truths can be more harmful than outright falsehoods and also reflected on the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during its centenary year.

Shrivastava discussed the historical context of Partition and highlighted what he described as the role played by RSS volunteers in assisting refugees migrating from Sindh and other parts of present-day Pakistan. He also referred to correspondence between then Defence Minister Baldev Singh and Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel regarding rescue efforts during the post-Partition period. In addition, he spoke about demographic changes in Assam linked to migration from erstwhile East Pakistan and later Bangladesh.

Accepting the award, Thakuria said that Devarshi Narad, revered in Indian mythology as a divine messenger and communicator, continues to serve as an inspiration for journalism through his pursuit of dialogue, inquiry and mediation. He argued that Narad's ability to engage with diverse sections of society remains relevant to contemporary journalism.

Thakuria also remarked that the dominance of Western models of institutionalised and individual-centric journalism has affected India's culturally rooted and nature-centric traditions of news dissemination. He called for greater reflection on indigenous approaches to communication and public discourse.

The Devarshi Narad Jayanti Award has previously been presented to several distinguished Assamese media professionals, including Dhirendra Nath Chakrabarty, Dhirendra Nath Bezbaruah, Kanak Sen Deka, Mahendra Barua, Shashi Phukan, Anil Baruah, Gautam Sarma, Rupam Baruah, P.J. Baruah and Shantanu Tamulik.

Thakuria began his career in Assamese journalism in 1990 before moving into English-language media. His articles are published in various print and digital outlets across South and Southeast Asia, and he is a regular participant in television discussions on current affairs. An alumnus of Assam Engineering College under Gauhati University, he has received several awards and fellowships, including recognition from the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign in 2021.

Earlier in the programme, VSK Assam secretary Kishore Shivam presented an overview of Devarshi Narad, describing him as a seeker of knowledge and a remover of social flaws. He suggested that a deeper study of Narad's 84 Bhakti Sutras could provide valuable insights for modern journalism.

The event also saw the release of the souvenir Veena Bani and a rendition of Saraswati Vandana by Tribeni Bujarbaruah. VSK Assam president Gouranga Sarma addressed the gathering. The programme was conducted by Naba Bujar Baruah and concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Guru Prasad Medhi.