Bajali: Anundoram Borooah Academy in Assam’s Pathsala introduced the ‘Zubeen Garg Award’ on Teacher’s Day in memory of Assamese singer and musician Zubeen Garg.
The academy conferred the ‘Zubeen Garg Award’ for the first time on two students who secured top positions in their respective examinations. Jyotirmoy Das, who secured the first position in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination, and Arhi Rajkhowa, who secured the first position in the CBSE examination, received the awards.
Each recipient was presented with a gamosa, memento, certificate and a cash award of Rs 50,000. Garima Saikia Garg, wife of the late Zubeen Garg, presented the awards at a programme presided over by Ranjit Deka, Rector, Principal and Managing Director of Anundoram Borooah Academy.
Addressing the gathering, Garima Saikia Garg urged the younger generation to carry forward Zubeen Garg’s creative legacy and work collectively for society. She appreciated the academy’s decision to institute the award in his memory and encouraged Generation Z to draw inspiration from his ideals.
Speaking to journalists later, Garima Saikia Garg also spoke about the need for justice in connection with Zubeen Garg’s death.
She said that if Zubeen did not receive justice, it would be difficult for people to retain faith in the justice system.
“If Zubeen does not get justice, I think there will be no meaning to justice in Assam,” she said, adding that Zubeen was not merely an emotion of the people of Assam but that everyone wanted him to receive justice.
She expressed hope that despite delays, those responsible would eventually be punished and called for a fair investigation and appropriate action against them.
She also expressed hope that the construction of ‘Zubeen Khetra’, a project associated with the memory of the late artist, would progress rapidly and be completed at the earliest while maintaining quality standards.
In the afternoon, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu visited the institution and extended Teacher’s Day greetings to the teaching community.
Addressing the students, he said academic knowledge alone was not enough in the present era and that students must also become socially responsible citizens.
Pegu also spoke about the need to reduce disparities among students in education and the importance of creative thinking, social responsibility, skills and knowledge.
He said students would benefit meaningfully only when knowledge and skills were developed together.
The programme was attended by Bajali Deputy Commissioner Madhumita Bhagawati, social worker Julie Deka Baruah and several other guests.
Meanwhile, former students of the academy’s 2011–13 batch instituted a memorial award in honour of late English teacher Dhruvajyoti Bhattacharya, who passed away prematurely.
The award was presented by Ranjit Deka to Ananya Thakuria for securing the highest marks in English in the Higher Secondary final examination.
Earlier in the morning, the Teacher’s Day programme began with ceremonial activities, including the lighting of the lamp by Amulya Kalita, Principal of the Assamese-medium section.
Nandita Barman, Principal of Anundoram Borooah Academy Senior Secondary School, paid floral tribute to Anundoram Borooah, while Examination Controller Jayanta Das paid tribute to S Radhakrishnan.
Nripendra Nath Das paid floral tribute to Zubeen Garg, while Vice-Principal Prahlad Choudhury paid tribute to Bhupen Hazarika.
A freshers’ welcome programme was also organised as part of the Teacher’s Day celebrations.