Guwahati: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria conferred State’s civilian awards namely Assam Baibhav, Assam Saurav and Assam Gaurav on 21 personalities at a solemn function held at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in the city on Friday. In presence of State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the awards were given to those personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions in the field of health, art & culture, sports, science, agriculture, tourism, entrepreneurship etc.
Assam Baibhav award was presented to Dr Tapan Kumar Saikia in recognition of his contribution in the field of cancer care and public service. Hails from Naharkatia in Dibrugarh district, Saikia is a renowned oncologist and an alumnus of Assam Medical College. Starting his career in Tata memorial hospital in 1981, Saikia served as head of medical oncology and research director at Prince Aly Khan hospital and he is currently the director of Oncology science at Jaslok hospital and research centre in Mumbai.
Assam Saurav awards were presented to Krishna Roy for his contribution in the field of art & culture (mobile theatre), Gilbertson Sangma for sports (football), Nayan Moni Saikia (lawn bowls), Dr Binoy Kumar Saikia (science) and Dr Sashidhar Phukan (healthcare). Assam Gaurav was given to 15 personalities namely Dhritimala Deka (public service), Debajit Barman (agriculture), Rustom Basumatary (tourism), Manje La (agro-tourism), Binanda Hatibaruah (environment and forest), Atul Chandra Barua (social work), Kalyani Rajbongshi (SHG), Shila Gowala (public service), Dr Jogesh Deuri (sericulture), Dr Pankaj Lal Gogoi (entrepreneurship), Sarbeswar Basumatary (agriculture), Manthang Hmar (agriculture), Dr Dhruba Jyoti Sarma (agriculture), Dayal Goswami (mask making) and Dr Syed Iftikar Ahmed (anti-drugs campaign).
Privileges of the awards include free medical treatment in government hospitals and stay in paying cabins wherever available, free accommodation in State government circuit houses, guest houses and Assam bhawans, regular invitations to official functions as distinguished guests along with Rs two lakh as medical expenses for treatment of critical diseases and free travels in ASTC buses subject to the 24 hour prior information of journey.
