HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 13: The state Government on Tuesday conferred the state’s highest civilian awards upon 22 outstanding personalities for their exceptional contributions to society.
The award ceremony was held at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra and was graced by Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The distinguished awards, namely Assam Baibhav, Assam Saurav, and Assam Gaurav, were bestowed upon individuals who have left an indelible mark in their respective fields.
Former Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, received the prestigious Assam Baibhav Award 2023 for his remarkable contributions to the field of law and justice. Gogoi, hailing from Assam, made history as the first judge from the region to serve as the Chief Justice of India.
In a noteworthy comparison, the Assam Civilian Awards mirror the prestigious Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards, reflecting the highest civilian honors bestowed by the Government of India. The number of awards conferred each year varies based on the decision of the Award Committee.
During his address, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar commended the transparent selection process of the Assam awards, emphasising the evolution from a system driven by “patronage and event management” to one focused on merit and contribution to society.
The Assam Saurav was presented to Dr. Kishan Chand Nauriyal, Elvis Ali Hazarika, Hima Das, and Nadiram Deuri, recognising their exemplary achievements. Additionally, the Assam Gaurav was bestowed upon 17 individuals, including Ranjit Kumar Gogoi, Parvati Barua, Debojit Changmai, and others, for their significant contributions across various domains.
The ceremony not only celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of these individuals but also highlighted the state’s commitment to honoring excellence and fostering a culture of meritocracy and service to society.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and a host of other dignitaries attended the ceremony. (With PTI inputs)