A recent award function on the occasion of the annual Devarshi Narad Jayanti celebration in Guwahati emerged as a platform to highlight Assam’s troubled past, including its historical vulnerability to political uncertainties, and the urgent need for credible journalism to guide media professionals across print, electronic, and digital platforms. Organised by Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK) Assam at Sudarshanalaya in the Barbari locality of the historic city on 7 June 2026, the event featured an illuminating lecture by Prakhar Shrivastava, senior consulting editor at Delhi Doordarshan Kendra.
The occasion also included the presentation of the annual Narad Jayanti award to this writer, along with special felicitations to three promising Assamese journalists: Ranjita Rabha of Pratham Khabar news channel, Lakhyajit Gohain of NK Television, and Mridul Haloi of Dainik Asom. Addressing a distinguished audience on contemporary socio-political issues and selected historical developments, Shrivastava observed that in journalism, the propagation and acceptance of half-truths can be more dangerous than outright falsehoods.
Appreciating VSK Assam, a unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for organising the event, the seasoned television anchor noted that media attitudes towards the RSS in today’s evolving Indian political landscape are largely more positive, whereas such acceptance was rare in earlier decades. He stated that during a period when the media paid limited attention to the RSS, founded in 1925 to promote cultural unity, discipline, and the ideology of Hindutva, the subcontinent was on the brink of Partition. He added that during that tumultuous time, RSS volunteers reportedly assisted in the rescue of Hindus, Sikhs, and others affected by communal violence in what later became Pakistan.
Shrivastava also referred to a historical letter written by the then Defence Minister Baldev Singh to Home Minister Vallabhbhai Patel in the early years after Independence. According to him, Sardar Patel had suggested placing the letter before the Cabinet, which proposed government cooperation with the RSS in assisting those stranded in areas affected by Partition violence. He further stated that these developments contributed to resentment within Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, leading to the ban on the RSS, which he attributed not solely to allegations linked to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, but also to differences over Partition-era relief efforts.
He also highlighted the issue of illegal migration from East Pakistan, later Bangladesh, since the era of Sir Syed Muhammad Saadulla, noting its impact on Assam’s demographic composition. Referring to historical political developments, he stated that Mohammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned Assam as part of East Pakistan, a proposal opposed by Assamese Congress leaders led by Gopinath Bordoloi with support from Mahatma Gandhi. He also mentioned that some leaders of the All India Muslim League, including Moinul Hoque Choudhury, were associated with differing political positions during that period.
Shrivastava further referred to the role of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, who later became the fifth President of India. My acceptance speech reflected on the figure of Devarshi Narad as a universal divine messenger and ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu across the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranic traditions. Narad is depicted as a mediator among gods, kings, demons, sages, and society at large. Regarded as a guiding symbol for journalism, Narad Muni is described in scriptures as a scholar of the Vedas and Upanishads, moving across the three realms (Swarga, Martya, and Patal), facilitating dialogue and communication without fear or bias.
In the contemporary context, journalism faces significant challenges in the post-Covid era, as citizens with access to mobile phones increasingly function as content creators. However, the proliferation of unverified information on digital platforms risks causing audience fatigue, which may eventually revive interest in traditional print media. It is therefore essential that print journalism further strengthens its credibility, accuracy, and fairness.
The ideals associated with Narad may thus serve as an ethical inspiration for modern journalism, emphasising truth-seeking, verification, and clarity in public communication. VSK Assam secretary Kishore Shivam, while presenting an overview of Narad, described him as a seeker of knowledge and a remover of ignorance. He suggested that deeper study of Narad’s 84 Bhakti Sutras could enrich the principles of modern journalism.
Over the years, several eminent Assamese media professionals, including Dhirendra Nath Chakrabarty, Dhirendra Nath Bezbaruah, Kanak Sen Deka, Mahendra Barua, Shashi Phukan, Anil Baruah, Gautam Sarma, Rupam Baruah, P.J. Baruah, and Shantanu Tamulik, have received the Narad Jayanti award. This year’s programme also featured the release of a souvenir titled Veena Bani, along with a rendition of Saraswati Vandana by Tribeni Bujarbaruah. The event was anchored by Naba Bujar Baruah, addressed by VSK Assam president Gouranga Sarma, and concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Guru Prasad Medhi.
(THE WRITER IS A GUWAHATI-BASED SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATESMAN.)