HT Bureau
GUWAHATI: The Beltola Bohagi Utsav Samiti has conferred the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Award on, renowned actor George Baker this year.
Renowned singer Samar Hazarika presented the award to Baker during the 45th Bohagi Utsav at Beltola in in the city on April 21. The award included a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000, a citation, a souvenir, a pat gamusa, a cheleng sador, a rhino memento, a phulam japi, and a bust of Dr Bhupen Hazarika among other items.
The Beltola Bohagi Utsav Samiti organized the 45th Bohagi Utsav with a three-day colourful programme from April 19 to 21 at the Beltola School Ground.
The Samity has been presenting awards to stalwarts of the literary and cultural world since 2012 in honour of Bharat Ratna Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika. This year, renowned actor George Baker, a prominent figure in the Assamese film industry, was conferred with the award.
Upon receiving the award, Baker expressed his gratitude to the committee and acknowledged the contributions of individuals like Nirodh Chowdhury, Abdul Majid, and Bhupen Hazarika.
Baker fondly recalled an instance when Bhupen Hazarika invited him on stage and introduced him as his son.
Eminent social worker and renowned physician, Sushil Kumar Jain, who was selected for the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Award for the year 2021, received the award this year. He graciously accepted the award and expressed his gratitude to the committee, pledging to continue his social service in the future.
Chief patrons of the Beltola Bohagi Utsav Samiti, Ratul Barua and Narayan Deka, along with general secretary Sanjay Goswami, cultural secretary Jayanta Gogoi, treasurer Pradip Das and other office bearers were present at the ceremony.
The Patmadoi title for 2024 was awarded to Nirjuma Kakati of Nagaon, who received a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000 along with a citation and a memento.
Similarly, the award for the best Bihu Husori team was won by the Rangman Anajori Bihu Husori team, which received a cash prize of Rs 1,00,001. The second prize was awarded to the Ranghar Bihu Hunchri Team, who received a cash prize of Rs 51,001.
Singer Rupam Bhuyan was awarded the Manmath Baishya Memorial Award on April 19.
