Literary Award “Bandhu-Chaki” for 2026 Conferred on Eminent Poet Dr. Pranoy Phukan
M. Hashim Ali,Dibrugarh,Rongili Barta- The eminent poet Dr. Pranoy Phukan was today conferred the “Bandhu-Chaki Literary Award for the year 2026.” The award was presented by the Bandhu-Chaki Literary Organisation at a solemn function held at Bordoloi Bhawan of the Duliajan Sahitya Sabha.The award comprises a gamosa, a cheleng (traditional shawl), a citation, and a bundle of books. Renowned poet and translator Hiten Sharma formally handed over the award to Dr. Phukan. While speaking on the occasion, Sharma said, “The significance of the organic connection between the timeless and time itself is what keeps a poet relevant for all ages.”Accepting the award, Dr. Pranoy Phukan remarked, “The primary responsibility of a poet is to speak the truth through poetry. The era of obscurity in poetry has passed.” The programme was compered by poet Meera Dutta, while the felicitation address was delivered by noted thinker and writer Dr. Satyakam Barthakur, who observed, “Poetry represents the transformed world.”The event, presided over by poet and playwright Nilkantha Saikia, also witnessed the presentation of the “Bandhu-Chaki Award 2026” to three selected poets—Biswajit Saikia, Dhiman Barman, and Monalisa Sharma chosen from a poetry competition organised by Bandhu-Chaki to discover poetic talent irrespective of age. Following the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, the programme commenced with a poetry recitation by twelve reciters led by eminent elocutionist Rijumoni Saikia Tamuli, with support from Rina Gogoi. In his welcome address, Uday Kumar Sharma, President of Bandhu-Chaki, stated, “Poetry is the pursuit of life through artistic discipline. The language of poetry is the mother tongue of humanity.”In the presence of several distinguished writers and poets, a ‘Poetry Adda’ held in the evening featured readings of three selected poems by the award-winning poets. Many poetry lovers and eminent writers participated in the session, conducted by Bhanu Mazumdar, where Chamsul Barik, Dr. Chitrijit Saikia, Pranjal Pratim Bora, Seema Gogoi, and Manasi Gogoi discussed their favourite poems written by others. The programme concluded with a joint recitation by six children.