Thongchi receives Assam Valley Literary Award

By A O News Service

ITANAGAR | Mar 24 | The prestigious Assam Valley Literary Award- 2017 was conferred on three Assamese literature stalwarts – Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, Dr Rita Chowdhury and Sananta Tanti by distinguished author and literary critic GN Devy at a function at Guwahati this evening.

The Award was conceived in 1990 by Williamson Magor Education Trust (WMET) to honour outstanding creative writers, who have enriched Assamese literature. The award has been presented to three recipients for first time this year since its inception.

The award carries a citation, a trophy designed by late artist Sobha Brahma and Rs 4 lakh.

Thongchi, an eminent Assamese writer from Arunachal Pradesh, has to his credit has eight popular novels, including Mouna Outh Mukhor Hridoy, Saw Kata Manuh,Bih Konyar Deshot. He had served as DC in five districts and had held many important portfolios in the GoAP but is the second longest serving DC in India. A recipient of more than 15 literary awards, including Sahitya Akademi Award, Bhasha Bharati Award, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Literary Award, etc.

Reciprocating the gesture, Thongchi thanked the WMET  for bestowing the honour on him.

Presently serving as National Book Trust director, Dr Rita Chowdhury is a prominent Assamese novelist. Her oeuvre includes Makam, a poignant portrayal of Assamese Indian community of Chinese origin, Deo Lankhui (on glorious Tiwa kingdom of Assam), Ei Somoy Sei Somoy, written in the backdrop of the Assam agitation, among others.

A recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Award and Asam Sahitya Sabha’s best manuscript award, Dr Chowdhury is also well known social activist.

While accepting the award, she said that she was thankful to the readers for giving her a place in their hearts. “Throughout my life, I have received the love and admiration of my readers, who have made me what I am today. I have always tried to give my best to the readers. However, during the course of my literary journey, on several junctures I had to face the obstacles, which only helped me to come out stronger,” she said.

The third recipient Sananta Tanti is a poet who is originally Odia, educated in Bengali and writes in Assamese. Tanti has 14 collections of poetry to his credit and all are highly acclaimed by the readers and critics.

His collections include Ujjwal Nakshatrar Sondhanot, Moi Manuhar Amal Utsav, Nizor Biruddhey Sesh Prastab and Moi. He is a recipient of Mrinalini Devi Goswami Award, Beer Birsa Munda Award, Osman Ali Sodagar Samannaya Award, among others.

“As an ordinary person, I have little knowledge of politics and other important social matters. My only strength is my hope for a better world and a beautiful future of humanity. I am a small person with big dreams, which helps me in my creative pursuits,” Tanti said in his acceptance speech.

GN Devy, a Padma Shri award-winning writer and critic, as chief guest, said that at a time when words are under attack everywhere in the world, the writers, who raise dissenting voices, still reassure us that all is not lost and there is still a hope.

“Apart from its inherent beauty and richness, the Assamese language is a language of great philosophical knowledge. I wish and hope that the dignity attached to this award continues in the future as well,” he added.

The prestigious award has been instituted by Williamson Magor Group, a tea major. Dr Bhabendranath Saikia was the first winner of this award. Including today’s recipients, 30 state litterateurs have been honoured so far.

RS Jhawar, earlier spoke on behalf of the trust while McLeod Russel India Ltd corporate advisor Prabhakar Choudhury was also present.

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