Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, Dr Rita Chowdhury and Sananta Tanti were conferred with the Assam Valley Literary Award for the year 2017 on Saturday.
Each of the award carries a citation, a trophy designed by the late artist Sobha Brahma and a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh.
An eminent Assamese writer from Arunachal Pradesh, Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi has to his credit eight popular novels. He has served as the DC in five districts and had held many important portfolios in the Government of Arunachal. A recipient of more than 15 literary awards, his work has been honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award, Bhasha Bharati Award, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Literary Award, etc.
Currently the Director of National Book Trust, Dr Rita Chowdhury is a prominent Assamese novelist. A recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Award and Asam Sahitya Sabha’s best manuscript award, Dr Chowdhury is also well known social activist.
Sananta Tanti is a poet who is originally Odia, educated in Bengali and writes in Assamese. Tanti has 14 collections of poetry to his credit and all are highly acclaimed by the readers and critics. His collections include Ujjwal Nakshatrar Sondhanot, Moi Manuhar Amal Utsav, Nizor Biruddhey Sesh Prastab and Moi. He is a recipient of Mrinalini Devi Goswami Award, Beer Birsa Munda Award, Osman Ali Sodagar Samannaya Award, among others.
Assam Valley Literary Award was conceived in the year 1990 by the Williamson Magor Education Trust to honour the outstanding creative writers who have enriched the Assamese literature.
The chief guest of the function, Padma Shri award-winning writer and critic GN Devy said that at a time when words are under attack everywhere in the world, the writers, who raise dissenting voices, still reassure us that all is not lost and there is still a hope.
“Apart from its inherent beauty and richness, the Assamese language is a language of great philosophical knowledge. I wish and hope that the dignity attached to this award continues in the future as well,” he added.