HT Digital,
Jorhat, Dec 29: Often battling rain, wind and darkness to deliver the morning headlines, newspaper hawkers remain among the most invisible workers in the news ecosystem. On Saturday, a local social organisation decided it was time to change that.
Shikali, a social organisation based in Titabor, felicitated ten newspaper distributors from the wider Titabor and Mariani constituencies at a programme held in central Titabor. The event aimed to recognise the courage, commitment and quiet generosity of hawkers who ensure newspapers reach homes before most alarms go off.
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The programme opened on a poetic note, with young poet Kabyashree Dutta reciting “An Autobiography of a Hawker”, penned by emerging poet Arupjyoti Hazarika. The event was anchored by Hazarika, who is also the chief editor of Shikali.
Among those present were writer Jogmaya Sandikai Saikia, journalist Bikash Sandikai, social worker Asim Barua, Tiok Press Club president Biju Tanuwal, teacher Rohit Bora, and several other journalists, educators and community members. Speakers unanimously stressed the need for institutional and government support for newspaper hawkers, who continue to work without social security or formal assistance.
As part of the felicitation, each hawker was presented with a citation, gamosa, muffler, bag, book hamper, shawl and a raincoat—practical gratitude for a job that rarely pauses for weather.
Those honoured included Nomol Bora, Pabitra Saikia, Dipen Bora, Nirmal Kalita, Sunil Maji, Diganta Bora, Bulbul Chutia, Netra Saikia, Mitul Sharma and Rabina Midha, the only woman hawker among the recipients.
Shikali’s initiative has been widely welcomed by local organisations and institutions, proving that sometimes, the real headline is the person delivering it.
