[Assam] Social service award conferred on Parijat Academy (The Assam Tribune, 28.12.2009)

[Buljit Buragohain]

Social service award conferred on Parijat Academy

Staff Reporter
 GUWAHATI, Dec 27 – The Eastern India Women’s Association today conferred its first Social Service Award-2009 on Parijat Academy, an institution providing free education to the children of the underprivileged sections of the society.

At a solemn function organised today, noted social activist Anjali Baruah gave the award to Uttam Teron, founder of the academy.

Parijat Academy was started by Teron at the Pamohi village near the Deepor Beel in 2003 with a pair of desk-bench and four students in a temporary tin-roofed shelter. The poor and underprivileged children get education here almost free of cost. Now, the 497 students get education inthe academy from Class I to IX.

The award given every two years carries a cheque of Rs 30,000, a silver plaque and a citation.

The academy is getting help from well-wisher organisa-tions and individuals. Many volunteers from the country and abroad have come willingly to impart education to such children in this academy.

Speaking on the occasion, Teron said that the academy has also started vocational training for the students including weaving and embroidery, to make them self-employed. “Students from the backward areas are usually hesitant to mix up with others. That is why we are planning to send them to youth meets, cultural festivals, etc., so that they learn to exchange thoughts and ideas with the other students,” he mentioned.

The academy has also been encouraging the parents of the poor tribal students to start small savings, for higher education of their children.

“The association has been giving awards for social service, especially in the field of women issues, for the past ten years in the name of its former president Padmasree Roshan Phukan. From this year onwards, however, the award has been renamed asthe Eastern India Women’s Association’s Social Service Award,” said Minu Choudhury, president of the Assam branch of the association.

Renuka Devi Borkataki, the chairperson of the Northeast branch of the association, while speaking on the occasion stressed the need for coming forward to work for the underprivileged people. Mridula Sahariya, chairperson of the Assam State Women’s Commission and noted social activist Hem Bharali also spoke on the occasion.

(The Assam Tribune,28.12.2009)




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