NEW DELHI, Feb 24— The coveted Jnanpith Award went to Assam for the second time in 36 years today, when Assamese writer Dr Indira Goswami, who is popular known as Mamoni Raisom Goswami was formally conferred the honour at a glittering function here this evening. She is the second Assamese writer after late Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya to be so honoured. Presence of Nobel laureate Sir V S Naipaul at the award presentation ceremony held at the Vigyan Bhavan here was added attraction, even as he joined in paying laurels to Dr Goswami for her writings. Other notable personalities in attendance included the Vice-President, Krishan Kant, former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, Union HRD Minister, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, president of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Indu Jain, among others.
The award carries a citation, a bronze plaque and a cheque for Rs 5 lakh. “Dr Goswami’s writings are marked by novelty of themes and district style of expression. Her canvas is wide and it includes impressions of life and people in a all their spectacular variety and richness. Sensitive, without being sentimental, she manages effortlessly to draw her readers into the narrative. Her work carries the stamp of vivid realism, penetrating insight and deep poetic sensibility,” the citation said. On the eve of the ceremony, Dr Goswami told this newspaper that the award was an honour not for her personally, but more for Assamese literature.” I am confident that more of such award would come to Assam, which has several deserving writers, in future,” she added.
In her acceptance address, Dr Goswami touched on the problems of militancy affecting the State expressing her confidence that peace would again return to her land of birth “I have a great desire to understand the mind of the militants,” she said, adding that Assam’s and has been smeared by blood. Drawing on her personal tragedy, she said writings have sustained her and saved her from certain death. She said her husband death at an early age of 29 had left her devastated and depressed. “I plunged myself into writing rigorously and it was miracle that I survived. The pen saved my life,” she said. Paying tributes to Mamoni Raisom Goswami Sir Vidiya said that he was sensitive tot he problems faced by the language writers like Assamese language writers. But these difficulties should also be seen as opportunities