AIIDESH AWARDS 2023 : Commemorating the 95th Birth Anniversary of Shri Bhobesh Saikia

The 95th birth anniversary of Shri Bhobesh Shaikia, the founding president of both the Bokakhat Press Club and Assam Press Correspondents Union (APCU), was commemorated on January 16th at the Puwati Sahitya Sabha Bhawan in Bokakhat.

This event was meticulously organized by several local organizations, including the Bokakhat Press Club, Bokakhat Sub-Division Journalists Association, Sandhani Lekhika Samaroh Samiti, Bokakhat Natya Mandir Commitee, Electronics Media Journalists Association Bokakhat, Kaziranga News Network, Assam Press Correspondents Union (APCU), and Aiidesh News. The program commenced with a lantern lighting and wreath laying ceremony at the portrait of the late Bhobesh Saikia.

His wife, Mrs. Chandraprabha Saikia, lit the "Diya" in respect of Shri Bhobesh Saikia. The senior member of the extended family, Mr. Lila Saikia, performed the garlanding. Following this, Apurba Bordoloi, President of Puwati Sahitya Sabha; Putuli Khaund, President of Sandhani Lekhika Samiti; Bhabhananda Kalita, President of Bokakhat Press Club; and Bubul Dutta, President of Bokakhat Journalist Association, lit up “Diya” in his respect.

The memorial function was led by Mr. Apurba Bordoloi and began with a borgeet performance by local artist Rupa Hazarika. In this event, distinguished speakers include Jitu Sharma Rajkhowa, the President of the Assam State Journalists' Union, Bibha Bora, the former principal of J.D.S.G. College, and Shubarna Saikia, the Central Secretary of the Writers' Association ( lekhika Samoaroh ).  The memorial service, led by Geetanjali Kalita, Secretary of Puwati Sahitya Sabha, featured the presentation of the Aiidesh Award 2023 in honor of the late Bhobesh Saikia, as he is also locally recognized and honored as the People's Guardian.

In a formal ceremony, Dr. Sonali Ghosh, the Director of Kaziranga National Park, officially inaugurated digital identity cards for AIIDESH NEWS. These cards designate the holders as official reporters or news aggregators for the AIIDESH NEWS PORTAL.

During the event, various dignitaries and representatives from different organizations in Bokakhat were present. This included Ratneshwar Barua, the Chairman of Bokakhat Municipal Coorporation, Gopika Nanda Saikia, the President of the Chidananda Saikia Foundation, Badan Duora, the President of Kaziranga News Network; Suren Sharma, a colleague of Late Bhobesh Saikia, Professor Dr. Jayanta Das; Prashant Saikia; Monoranjan Sen, the President of District Maina Parijaat, Minoti Doley; Amar Sharma, the Working President of the District Poets' Association; Haribola Kalindi, the President of District Tea Workers' Literature Association; and Anisur Rahman, the President of the Senior Citizens Association. Additionally, representatives from various cultural and literary organizations of Bokakhat were also in attendance.

Later the AIIDESH AWARDS 2023 ceremony was held in honor of the 95th birth anniversary of the late educator, journalist and social activits, Shri Bhobesh Saikia. In the regional category of the awards, Shri Mahendra Nath Hazarika, a seasoned journalist from Dergaon, was recognized for his exceptional contributions to journalism. In the district category of the awards, Mr. Papumoni Hazarika, a local beekeeper residing in Chinakona, Bokakhat sub-division, and an active participant in the agricultural sector, received the Bhobesh Saikia Memorial Aiidesh Awards 2023 for his commendable work as a dynamic young entrepreneur.

In this tribute, a specially crafted memorial, a sculpted award featuring the statue of Late Bhobesh Saikia, and a cash prize of Rs. 10,500/- are presented to both awardees. The awards are conferred by Mrs. Chandraprabha Saikia (wife of Late Bhobesh Saikia) and his elder son, Mr. Gautam Saikia. 

Noteworthy is the achievement of AIIDESH NEWS, an advanced online news platform proudly serving as Assam's first multilingual web portal based in Bokakhat. Over the past five years, AIIDESH NEWS has successfully expanded its services. The journey in this direction commenced with an official launch by the internationally acclaimed environmentalist Shri Jadav Payeng at an event on August 15, 2017.