Journalist Rupam Barua conferred with Narad Jayanti Award 2023

Digital Desk: Acclaimed journalist and editor of the popular Assamese children's magazine ‘Sofura’, Rupam Barua received the prestigious Narad Jayanti award in 2023. Each year, a cash reward of Rs 50,000 is given together with a citation, a memento, a picture of Bharat Mata, and books.

Jitendra Choudhury of Dainik Asom, Samya Bharadwaj of Amar Asom, and Sewali Kalita of Doordarshan Kendra Guwahati were three senior city-based journalists who were honoured at the event as part of the celebration.

Addressing the distinguished gathering, Rupam Barua remembered several distinguished Assamese personalities, who inspired him with guidance in the initial days of his journalistic career, namely Trinesh Barua, Rabijit Choudhury, Diganta Khargharia, Ramendra Narayan Dattabarua, Kamal Gogoi, Dhirenra Nath Bezbarua, Chandra Prasad Saikia, DN Chakrabarty, among others.

Barua mocked the mindset that demands historical evidence for Narad when announcing the award by pointing out that a prominent literary award is presented in the name of Saraswati, sports awards are given the name of Arjun, and occasions opened the way for honouring the European hero Hercules. The speaker argued in his closing remarks that while journalism's format (from print to digital platforms) may vary over time, a practicing journalist should always possess three key qualities: courage, honesty, and humanity.

Gracing the annual Maharshi Narad Jayanti celebration held at Sudarshanalay in Barbori area of Guwahati on Saturday, Narendra Kumar Dev, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said that the role of media is to balance between truth and general welfare of the whole society and it should be the mantra for media personnel as propounded by Devarshi Narad since time immemorial.

In addition, the RSS Pracharak noted that in contrast to Satyam Bruyat and Priyam Bruyat, many media outlets today prefer nurturing fake news to advance their own self-serving agendas. The soft-spoken man argued that the promotion of the Swa Adharit (self-centric) media communication system was necessary because society rejects bad news in general.

Devarshi Narad was an accomplished musician, scholar, and devoted follower of Vishnu. Narad used to solely bring news, therefore disseminating information about his work as a full-time journalist was his primary responsibility. His writings can be viewed in the light of today as impartial journalism, where he distinguished himself as the most effective public communicator for social welfare. Narad encouraged conversations amongst all parties for a successful conclusion with a Veena nearby, as the media should do all the time.

Narendra Kumar revealed that Jugal Kishore Shukla from Kolkata produced India's first Hindi weekly, titled Udant Martand (The Rising Sun), and that it was first published on the auspicious day of Narad Jayanti (30 May 1826). He acknowledged that many media still make an effort to avoid mentioning Narad as the first globally successful communicator. He did note, though, that in recent years, Narad Jayanti celebrations have become more well-liked by the general public in different sections of India.

Organised by Visva Sambad Kendra Assam, the function was also attended by Guru Prasad Medhi, Kishor Shivam, Utpal Dutta, Sunil Mohanty, Khagen Saikia, Paramesh Dutta, Naba Bujarbarua, Jagadindra Raychoudhury, Namrata Dutta, Dwijen Barthakur, Suranjan Dutta, Nava Thakuria, Soumyadeep Dutta among others.