HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 27: Goalpara College announced the institution of Prof. Kula Bhusan Das Award for Academic Excellence in Botany, an annual award to encourage the pursuit of knowledge, higher education, and academic excellence on Thursday. Kula Bhusan Das (86), despite his poor health, was also present at the ceremony to personally bless the first two awardees.
In the first ever award ceremony held at Goalpara College, Habiba Yasmin and Raja Saikia were felicitated for securing the highest-grade points in the Botany (major) class of 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Goalpara College Botany Department first instituted the award in 2021 to honour the legacy of its founder head of the department, Professor Kula Bhusan Das. The goal of this award is to support and encourage meritorious students, push for academic excellence and lend wings to their aspirations. It is awarded to the department’s graduating topper with Botany major, securing the highest-grade point in their batch.
Funded by Prof Das’s children, it includes Rs 25,000 in cash as well as a merit certificate. Commenting about the award, Dr Subhash Barman, principal, Goalpara College, said, “We are thrilled to give away the Professor Kula Bhusan Das Award for Academic Excellence to Yasmin Habiba and Raja Saikia, today. Heartiest congratulations to both of them, and we wish them a bright future and successful careers! We are deeply grateful to Professor Das and his family for this noble initiative, encouraging academic excellence amongst our students. This paves the way for others in our society to also come forward with such initiatives. This will go a long way in strengthening our college, serving the entire region since 1955.”
Expressing happiness, Professor Kula Bhusan Das, retired HOD, Botany department, Goalpara College, said, “I am delighted to be here today amidst the students and faculty members, 26 years after my retirement. It’s been a matter of great pride and privilege for me to set up the Botany department and lead it for 30 long years. I am deeply grateful to my daughter, Barnali, son Diganta, and wife Renuka for partnering with Goalpara College in setting up this award! My family and I sincerely hope that it’ll work as a humble contribution towards Yasmin and Raja’s brighter future.”
