Anupam Nath, senior photojournalist, honored with 'Parag Kumar Das Journalism Award'

GUWAHATI: Anupam Nath, the internationally-renowned photojournalist from Assam, added another feather to his cap as he was awarded the prestigious 'Parag Kumar Das Journalism Award' for his immense contributions to the field of journalism at the Guwahati Press Club today.

Accepting the award, Nath, who is covering South East Asia for the Associated Press (AP), said, "This award is a great recognition. Although I have received several national and international awards, getting an award in my own state is a great recognition. After facing many struggles and challenges, today I have arrived at this position."

The award, which carries a memento, a citation and a cheque of Rs 25,000 was handed over by noted personalities such as Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora (literatteur), Professor Rajiv Handique (Head of the Department of History, Gauhati University), and Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, a contemporary of Parag Das.

It needs mention here that photos of Nath highlighting trauma and tragedy of the people during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 catapulted him into the spotlight and won accolades at different platforms.

Earlier, in 2017, Nath was adjudged as one of the 100 best photo journalists selected by internationally-renowned publication 'Time.'

Parag Kumar Das, after whom the award is named, was a journalist, human rights activist and one of the founders of the human rights movement in Assam.

He was assassinated by the surrendered militants in broad daylight by surrendered United Liberation Front of Asom (SULFA) cadres on May 17, 1996. His open murder created huge outrage in the entire state of Assam and the human rights circles of the country.