By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: President of India Pranab Mukherjee on Monday hailed the works of film personality Sharmila Tagore and renowned Assamese litterateur Mamoni Raisom Goswami for their contribution for the society and especially for the uplift of women, as he gave away the coveted Srimanta Sankardeva Award and Asom Ratna award to these distinguished ladies.
Sharmila Tagore was handed over the Srimanta Sakardeva Award for the year 2008 which was instituted by Assam government while Asom Ratna was given to Jnanpith awardee Mamoni Raisom Goswami posthumously.
“It felt great to be associated with this event in my first visit in Assam as president as it recognizes the contribution of two most distinguished ladies of the generation,” said the president after giving away the award at ITA Machkhowa in Guwahati in Monday.
He also highlighted how these two eminent figures of contemporary time towards the empowerment of women and other downtrodden section of society. “Woman is the symbol of power, peace, love and humanity. They have proved that,” he added.
He further thanked Assam government for their effort to keep alive the messages of great Vaishanivite saint Srimanta Sankardeva. Dedicating the award to her mother Sharmila Tagore said that she felt privileged to be honoured by Assam government.
“Besides the 100th year of Indian cinema, Assamese cinema has completed 78 years. I pay tribute to pioneer Jyoti Prasad Agarwala for his wonderful ‘Joymoti’ and also for Aideu Handique for her path-changing role,” Tagore, whose career spanned more than five decades in Bollywood, said after receiving the award. Sankardeva award carries Rs 3 lakh, hand-woven tradition wear and a citation.
While, Asom Ratna was conferred upon noted author Mamoni Raisom Goswami posthumously who passed away on November 29 in 201. Satyabrata Goswami, the author’s elder brother received the award on behalf of her from the president. On May 14, the president will leave for Silchar in south Assam to address the 13th Annual Convocation of Assam University.