Governor of Assam Presents Awards for Excellence 2025 at Raj Bhavan

GUWAHATI: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya conferred the Governor of Assam Award for Excellence 2025 to distinguished individuals across various fields during a ceremonial function held at Raj Bhavan, Guwahati. The event was attended by Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, and other dignitaries. The awards, launched on September 17, 2024, to mark the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aim to recognise individuals contributing significantly to Assam's development journey under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Awardees Across Categories

• Science, Engineering, Medicine & Environment: Bapan Das, founder of the startup Graduate Farmer, was recognised for promoting antibiotic-free poultry farming. His venture has been listed among the top 20 emerging startups in Northeast India by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP).
  
  

• Social Work & Public Affairs: Dr. Amar Upadhyaya, Assistant Professor at Dibrugarh University, was honoured for his community engagement initiatives including plantation drives, blood donation camps, educational campaigns, and women’s empowerment programmes.
  
  

• Literature & Education: The late Dr. Nagen Thakur, former Head of the Assamese Department at Gauhati University, was awarded posthumously for his contributions to Assamese literature. His son, Devashish Thakur, received the award on his behalf.
  
  

• Art & Culture: Umananda Dowerah received recognition for his archival work preserving Assamese gramophone records. He also established a unique gramophone museum in Moran, Dibrugarh district.
  
  

• Trade, Industry & Commerce: Abhinash Hazarika from Kakojan Kamar, Jorhat, was honoured for his role as an educator and professional trainer, contributing to skill development across Assam and beyond.
  
  

• Sports: Celebrated footballer Debashish Roy from Guwahati received the award for his notable achievements and for bringing pride to the state.
  
  

Each award includes a traditional gamocha, seleng sador, a medallion, a citation, a japi, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. 

In his address, Governor Acharya congratulated the awardees and praised their contributions to Assam’s growth. Expressing pride in Assam’s rich legacy, he invoked the names of iconic figures such as Lachit Borphukan, Veer Chilarai, Kanaklata Barua, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Acharya emphasized that Assam has immense potential and talent, which he personally observed during visits to various districts. He also highlighted his role as Chancellor of state universities, not just for academic oversight but also to engage closely with students and faculty. The Governor stated that recognising achievers from Raj Bhavan is a symbolic step toward accelerating Assam’s holistic development journey.

The event was graced by Assam’s First Lady, Kumud Devi, North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council CEM Debolal Gorlosa, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council CEM Dr. Tuliram Ronghang, DGP Harmeet Singh, Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor SS Meenakshi Sundaram, among other senior officials and guests.