Assam: Punya Saikia chosen for Dr Moidul Islam Bora Xahitya Award 2025

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR: Renowned Assamese litterateur Punya Saikia has been selected for the prestigious Dr Moidul Islam Bora Xahitya Award for the year 2025. The announcement was made on Sunday at a meeting of the award selection committee held at the Sibsagar Press Club. The meeting was presided over by noted writer and President of the Dr Moidul Islam Bora Smriti Rakshya Committee, Prema Gogoi.

The award, instituted in memory of Dr Moidul Islam Bora, the first Assamese Vice-Chancellor and the first person from Assam to earn a doctorate, has been jointly conferred annually since 2011 by the Arunudoy Xakha Xahitya Xabha and the Dr Moidul Islam Bora Smriti Rakshya Committee.

This year’s awardee, Punya Saikia, was born in 1945 in Gomotha village under Silakuti Mouza in Sivasagar district. A brilliant student since childhood, he began his education at Gomotha Primary School, completed his matriculation in first division from Nazira Higher Secondary Multipurpose School, and later graduated from Gargaon College. He obtained his Master’s degree in Assamese from Dibrugarh University with distinction.

Saikia began his teaching career at Saumar Vidyapith Higher Secondary School in Tinsukia district and retired as its Principal. Even after retirement, he served as the Principal of Jatiya Vidyalaya in Digboi. Alongside his teaching career, he remained deeply involved in Assamese literature and language.

A prolific writer, Punya Saikia has enriched Assamese literature through his wide-ranging contributions in poetry, stories, songs, plays, and essays. His major works include Nepathyar Gun-Gunoni, Shabdar Cartoon, Ejon Swopnodrista Manuh, Bhinnasuri Tathya, Khirikire Dekha Etukura Akash, Punya Saikiar Nirbachita Kabita Chayan, and Koishorar Brindaban. Through over a hundred literary creations, he has made a significant mark in Assamese literature. The award will be formally conferred upon him at a ceremony scheduled to be held on September 22 at the Sibsagar Press Club. The award will be presented by Dr Basanta Kumar Goswami, President of Axam Xahitya Xabha.

Sunday’s meeting also included a special prayer for the speedy recovery of Dr Nagen Saikia, former President of Axam Xahitya Xabha, who is currently unwell. Arunudoy Xakha Xahitya Xabha Secretary Mujahid Ali provided a detailed overview of the event’s significance. Vice-President of the smriti rakshya committee Safiqur Rahman, President of Arunudoy Xakha Xahitya Xabha Monirul Islam Bora, Assistant Secretary Azad Alam, Office Secretary of the smriti rakshya committee Pranjal Rajguru, Acting General Secretary of Sibsagar Press Club Himanshu Neog, and Babul Khan, General Secretary of Rangpur Jyoti Club, were also present in the meeting and shared their thoughts and suggestions.

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