GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal distributed Media Fellowship, one-time grant to journalists, appointments and awards under DIPR in Guwahati today.
Chief Minister Sonowal took to Twitter to talk about the importance of media in good governance. He said that media's role as a watchdog is essential to good governance. He wrote, "Media's role as a watchdog is key to good governance. Our media should continue playing a critical role to keep the Govt machinery always alert and perform better. At distribution of media fellowship & financial grant to media persons and appointment letters & awards for #DIPR."
The Chief Minister distributed the fellowship and awards in a ceremony held at Sri Sri Madhabdev International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.
Eighteen journalists from the State have received the Media Fellowship 2020-2021 which is awarded by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Assam.
The current Assam government has been offering this fellowship from the last three years to the working journalists to undertake research in a selected topic. The Government provides Rs. 50,000 each as fellowship amount.
The following persons have received the media fellowship this year – Amarendra Deka (Pratidin Time), Bivas Bardhan (Nababarta Prasanga), Chandra Jyoti Bora (Dainik Asom), Chandan Sarma (Freelancer), Chinmoy Sarma (Amar Asom), Diganta Saharia (Prag News), Dip Kr. Kalita (The Sentinel), Joonjyoti Dutta Bora (Prag News), Khanindra Nath Deka (Dainik Asom), Kankana Goswami (N.E. News), Lakhyajit Gohain (Pratidin Time), Manash Pratim Dutta (The Assam Tribune), Mitali Konwar (Pratidin Time), Pankaj Saikia (Pratidin Time), Prastuti Gogoi (Prag News), Pritirekha Bhuyan (Freelancer), Retul Bhagaboti (News 18 Assam N.E.), and Ruplee Bora (N.E. News).
Earlier, Chief Minister Sonowal inaugurated the 36th National Junior Athletics Championships at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati. It is the first biggest national-level championship that has been organised after the Covid-19 pandemic that began early last year.