Indus Valley Times

By Dalim Phukan

Guwahati/Assam , Sep16 : Renowned educationist, writer and journalist Akshay Kumar Mishra said that love, trust and peace are gradually declining in society, describing the Paresh Baishya Foundation as “a shelter of hope” in such a situation.

Mishra was speaking as the chief guest at the 19th Education-Journalism Day organised by the Paresh Baishya Foundation at the Guwahati Press Club on Monday. The foundation was established with the objective of promoting education, the advancement of journalism and social change.

Mishra said teachers have failed to provide leadership to society and that journalists must now shoulder this responsibility.

Eminent poet and orator Dr. Nanda Singh Barkala, who attended the programme as a guest of honour, highlighted various aspects of social development. Addressing the younger generation, he said, “A mobile phone can give us information, but it cannot give us knowledge and wisdom.” He also cautioned journalists that progress would be impossible if they compromised their principles.

Renowned educationist Dr. Dayananda Pathak, speaking at the meeting, said Paresh Baishya has been serving as a guide in the field of school education in Assam.

General Secretary of the Assam Journalists’ Association and senior journalist of Asomiya Pratidin Anjan Kumar Sharma appreciated the positive initiatives undertaken by the Paresh Baishya Foundation.

As part of the programme, Class X student Darshita Banikya of Nilachal Jatiya Vidyalaya, Kamakhyagate, Guwahati, delivered a speech titled “My Dream Education System” under the “Students’ Dreams” segment.

She said the present education system does not provide students with an environment conducive to learning through enjoyable methods. Instead of a marks-oriented system, she advocated an education system focused on skill development, saying it would be more beneficial for students. She also stressed the importance of receiving education in the mother tongue.

The Paresh Baishya Foundation conferred several awards during the programme. Retired Gauhati University professor and practitioner of Sankari literature Dr. Bhupendra Raychaudhury received the Sankardev Study Award. Jogendra Nath Dutta of Narayanpur in Lakhimpur received the Madhavdev Study Award, while Mahendra Nath Deka of Ramdia was presented the Assam History Study Award.

Niva Deka Mahanta, Assistant Teacher of No. 29 Murara Balika Primary School in Rangia, received the Best Teacher Award, while journalist Dalim Phukan of Morigaon was honoured with the Best Journalist Award.

The award recipients were presented with phulam gamocha, seleng, sarai, japi, certificates of appreciation, trophies and bundles of books.

The foundation also awarded children’s literature writer Jugal Lochan Das a fellowship for children’s literature, along with Rs. 20,000 and a certificate.

Five winners of an all-Assam postal drawing competition on the theme “Flood Havoc” were also felicitated. They were Kasturi Priyam Oja and Rodashi Oja of Barpeta, Debansh Nath, Gitumoni Deka and Ranjan Bharali of Guwahati.

Three books were also released on the occasion. They included the second issue of the Paresh Baishya Foundation’s annual research-oriented publication “Educare”, whose theme is “The Rise of the People’s Voice on Social Media”; the printed edition of the manuscript “Assamese Children’s Literature: 2001–2025”, prepared by Jugal Lochan Das under the foundation’s fellowship on children’s literature; and “Sannidhyar Sourav”, edited by Dr. Hemanta Hazarika, featuring assessments of educationist Paresh Baishya’s life and contributions by various writers.

Popular singer Iman Choudhury enthralled the audience with performances of Bhupen Hazarika songs and songs by Zubeen Garg. The programme was anchored by Prangan Sahariya.

Explaining the aims and objectives of the Paresh Baishya Foundation, Managing Trustee Paresh Baishya said the foundation’s “Pohar School” has so far provided educational guidance to more than two lakh students across Assam.

He said the foundation does not accept donations or contributions from anyone. According to him, it is run entirely on the principle of sacrifice, using his pension and income earned from writing books.

“Loving oneself means making sacrifices for the welfare of others,” Baishya said.

Foundation trustee Purnima Das Baishya was also present at the meeting. The award recipients also spoke briefly on the occasion.