Munin Borkotoky awards presented

GUWAHATI, February 24: Noted journalist and litterateur, late Munin Borkotoky, ushered in a modern trend in Assamese literature through his unique style of writing, said Bhabendra Nath Saikia today. Speaking at the sixth Munin Borkotoky Award presentation ceremony here this afternoon, Saikia said that despite his limited number of creations in the genres of short story, poems and drama, each of his creations are landmarks in Assamese literature. Late Borkotoky carried on his creative pursuits also as an impartial critique of the literary and cultural scenario of the state, said Saikia. Saikia, however, expressed concern over the trend nowadays for not according enough recognition by the younger generation to the stalwarts of Assamese literature including Rasaraj Lakshminath Bezbaruah, Ananda Chandra Agarwala who had put Assamese literature on a firm foundation. Saikia said that the up-and-coming generation must also accord proper respect to these personalities, and said that efforts of the Munin Borkotoky Trust would create a conducive atmosphere in this regard. Saikia also gave away the awards to the five awardees for the years 1999 and 2000. For 1999, poet Rajeeb Barua of the All India Radio (AIR) was honoured for his anthology Panir Ghar - while Bitopan Borbora of the Dainik Asom got the award for his short story collection - Moro Eta Sapon Asil. For the year 2000, Mousumi Kondoli was selected for her short story collection - Lambada Nachar Seshat - while Pankaj Jyoti Bhuyan and Deepak Gogoi were jointly awarded for their drama collection Istantik. Renuka Devi Borkotoky, spoke at length about the commitment of the Munin Borkotoky Memorial Trust in encouraging the budding writers in their pursuit of literary activities. The award winners said that the awards would go a long way in boosting their creative endeavours. The Trust has been awarding the prize since 1995. It carries a cash amount of Rs 25,000, a citation and a plaque. The function was presided over by renowned dramatist Satya Prasad Barua.