The Assam Government has decided to confer this year’s prestigious ‘Asom Ratna Award’ on eminent litterateur and Jnanpith awardee Dr Indira Goswami. This was announced by the State Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Bharat Chandra Narah in Guwahati. Dr Goswami, pen named as Mamoni Roysom Goswami, has been chosen for the highest honour of the State for her valuable contribution towards Assamese literature. Legendary singer, Dadasaheb Falke Award winner Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was the first recipient of this prestigious Award initiated by the Assam Government since 2006. The State Government has also chosen three other noted authors — Imran Shah, Kamalkumari Barua and Lakshahira Das for this year’s Azan Pir, Chandraprova Saikiani and Amalprova Das awards, respectively.