Skip to content Skip to navigation

Golok Samman 2023 Announced: Four Young Honourees Recognized

The prestigious Golok Samman for 2023 has been announced, honoring four distinguished young individuals for their exceptional contributions in the fields of art, translation, research, and environmental activism. The award, instituted by the UD Foundation in memory of the noted translator and social worker Golok Chandra Datta, celebrates those who have made significant cultural and social impacts in Assam.

This year’s recipients are Dr. Sanjeev Bora, a renowned artist; Avantika Parashar, a noted translator; Rajesh Dattabaruah, an environmental activist; and Dr. Baburam Saikia, a Sattriya dancer and researcher.

Recognizing Talent in Art and Visual Media

Dr. Sanjeev Bora has been recognized for his remarkable contributions to fine arts. Known for his unique artistic style, Bora has illustrated more than 2,000 books for various publishers, including prominent publications from Northeast India. His expertise spans both traditional and digital media, and he has worked on posters and designs for films as well. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor at Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University. His award reflects his ongoing contributions to Assamese visual arts, enriching the landscape with his distinctive creations.

Celebrating the Art of Translation

Avantika Parashar, honored for her achievements in translation, made her debut with the Assamese translation of Edith Nesbit’s ‘The Railway Children’. Her other works include translations of ‘King Solomon’s Mines’ and Martin Luther King Jr.’s autobiography. Parashar is also an accomplished writer, with several original short story collections to her name. Her forthcoming works include a collection of Rabha folk tales, and the Assamese translation of Devdutt Pattanaik’s ‘My Gita’.

Environmental Activism in Focus

Rajesh Dattabaruah has been recognized for his tireless efforts as an environmental activist. Best known for popularizing the “Mobile Dustbin” concept, Dattabaruah has been working since 2012 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of carbon emissions and single-use plastics. His work extends to conserving Assam’s rivers, protecting the state’s aquatic wildlife such as the Gangetic dolphin, and addressing issues like human-wildlife conflict, especially with elephants.

Honoring Sattriya Dance and Research

Dr. Baburam Saikia has been awarded for his contributions to Sattriya dance and research. A distinguished performer, Dr. Saikia has showcased Assam’s traditional dance on national and international stages, including in France, Germany, and the USA. In addition to his performances, Dr. Saikia is a scholar with a PhD in folklore from Tartu University, Estonia. He has also been a visiting scholar at institutions like Elon University in the USA and the National University of Ireland.

Award Ceremony Set for October

The awards will be presented in a ceremony in Guwahati during the first week of October. Notably, the Golok Award’s symbol and trophy were designed by Kolkata-based artist Sourish Mitra, with the trophies crafted by Assamese sculptor Biju Das.

The ‘Golok Samman’, established to honor individuals who work dedicatedly to developing Assam’s cultural and social heritage, continues to spotlight those making a difference in the state.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

BJP takes out protest in Golaghat

10 Oct 2015 - 3:40pm | Siddhartha Handique
Hundreds of BJP leaders and workers hit the streets in Golaghat on Friday alleging utter misgovernance and cancerous corruption in public life in the entire state. Led by Mrinal Kumar Saikia, party...

Giving something back

17 Dec 2010 - 4:28pm | editor
I believe everyone in their lives at one point or another think about how they can do some social work or contribute money to some cause so that they can generate good karma and sleep a little easier...

Rehabilitation bid to surrendered militants

15 Jul 2012 - 4:53am | Anup Biswas
As a proactive measure to resurrect the life of the persons who bid good bye to militancy and as an effort to amalgamate them with the mainstream, the Haflong based Assam Riffles setup under the...

Steps on to ensure BTAD security: CM

8 May 2014 - 1:47pm | AT News
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday announced a special force in the vulnerable areas of BTAD.Addressing a press conference, Gogoi said that the force would be raised with the help of the local...

Other Contents by Author

Join Our Dedicated Volunteer Team! Assam Times, a volunteer-run news platform established in 2007, is seeking talented individuals to join our team as English to Assamese volunteer translators. Are you: A native Assamese speaker with excellent fluency in written English? Passionate about accurate and culturally sensitive translations? Committed to delivering high-quality content for our readers? If so, we want to hear from you! Responsibilities: Translate a variety of news articles and content from English to Assamese, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Maintain a consistent and high-quality writing style for Assam Times. Meet deadlines and communicate...
Guwahati, September 18: Aaranyak, in partnership with the Namdapha Tiger Reserve Authority and supported by the Arcus Foundation, has initiated a groundbreaking Hoolock gibbon conservation education program in the fringe areas of Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh. This initiative, which commenced on August 22, is the first of its kind in the state and aims to create a community of young conservationists who can actively contribute to the protection of this endangered primate. The program has reached 17 schools in the Miao subdivision, covering students from upper primary to higher secondary levels. The sessions, conducted by the Primate Research and...
Diets rich in ultra-processed foods have long been associated with a myriad of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and even premature death. However, the vast category of ultra-processed foods encompasses a wide range of products, from seemingly benign options like whole-grain bread and plant-based milk to more obvious culprits like hot dogs and sugary sodas. A recent groundbreaking study led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has shed new light on the specific types of ultra-processed foods that pose the greatest risk to heart health. This comprehensive study, published in The Lancet Regional Health-Americas, analyzed data...
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros and diverse ecosystems, is at a critical crossroads. Known for its rich biodiversity and the harmonious coexistence of local communities with nature, Kaziranga's landscape and social fabric are under threat. The Assam government's push to boost tourism by transferring land adjacent to the park to private hospitality industries has sparked significant controversy, raising concerns over the rights of indigenous communities and the ecological future of the region. The Push for Luxury Tourism Today marks a significant step in the Assam government's tourism agenda, with the signing of another...
The mid-20th century in America was a time when smoking was as normal and ubiquitous as eating. Picture this: in 1956, the average American smoked about 4,000 cigarettes a year. That’s a half-pack a day, for everyone—men, women, and even some children were all puffing away, encouraged by a relentless media, celebrities, and even health professionals. Fast forward to 2019, and while smoking rates have plummeted, a new health crisis has taken its place—our diet. Today, the leading cause of death and disability in the United States is not smoking; it's what we eat. The Global Burden of Disease Study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, identifies poor diet as the #1 cause of...
A day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that he "will take sides" and "will not let Miya Muslims take over all of Assam," opposition leaders filed a police complaint on August 27 accusing him of promoting enmity between different religious and ethnic groups. The complaint was lodged at the Dispur police station by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhupen Borah and Assam Jatiya Parishad's Lurinjyoti Gogoi, representing the United Opposition Forum, a coalition of groups opposed to the BJP and its allies. The complaint, supported by Independent Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuyan, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia, and Congress...
During our school days, when the historic Assam agitation broke out, we used to go to Tihu town in western Assam for joining  various protest demonstrations against the outsiders (read non-Assamese Indians) and the movement was initially known as ‘Bohiragata Kheda Andolan’ (literary meaning agitation to deport outsiders) to create a prosperous Assam for the indigenous population. Later it was redefined as the agitation against illegal migrants (read Bangladeshi/East Pakistani nationals) by the intellectuals and media barons in Guwahati, the virtual capital of northeast India. Simultaneously an armed movement also surfaced with an initial trigger from the economic domination of Hindi...
The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), a prominent national social organization representing Gorkhas across India, has expressed its gratitude towards the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for issuing a notification that resolves the longstanding NRC Biometrics-Aadhaar linkage issue. This development is expected to bring relief to nearly 9.35 lakh individuals in Assam, including over one lakh Gorkhas who have been affected by the issue. Nanda Kirati Dewan, the General Secretary of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Assam State Committee, expressed appreciation for the MHA’s intervention. He noted that the BGP has been actively engaging with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)...
Guwahati: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing Meitei-Kuki-Zo ethnic conflict, which began on May 3, 2023. Despite maintaining a stance of neutrality, the NSCN has been closely monitoring developments and is alarmed by the increasing violence, particularly against Christians. In a press statement released today, the NSCN highlighted a disturbing trend of harassment and physical assaults against Christians by the militant group Arambai Tengol. The NSCN identified the group's strong convictions and extreme principles as the driving forces behind its radical socio-political reforms. "The violent extremism followed by Arambai...
Dibrugarh, Assam: In response to the devastating impacts of river erosion at Mohanaghat, Dibrugarh, the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) has launched a comprehensive humanitarian assistance programme. The initiative aims to provide life-saving support to the most vulnerable and marginalized communities affected by this catastrophic event. NEADS is taking proactive steps to address the urgent needs of those displaced by the river erosion, ensuring that aid is specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of different genders within the affected populations. The interventions are multi-layered, encompassing critical areas such as Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (...