Dr. Hiren Gohain, a renowned scholar and public figure hailing from Assam, has been named as the recipient of the esteemed ‘Parag Kumar Das Journalism Award’ for the year 2024.
Presented by the ‘Parag Kumar Das Sathirtha Manchar’, this accolade acknowledges Dr. Gohain’s notable contributions to both journalism and academia. The award ceremony is scheduled for May 17th.
Born in 1939, Dr. Hiren Gohain’s academic journey commenced at Cotton College, followed by his undergraduate studies at Presidency College, Calcutta. He pursued his postgraduate studies in English literature at Delhi University and later undertook doctoral research at Cambridge University. His doctoral dissertation, which explored ‘Paradise Lost and the 17th Century Crisis’, was subsequently published as ‘Tradition and Paradise Lost: A Heretical View’, receiving acclaim for its innovative scholarship.
Upon returning to India, Dr. Gohain joined the faculty at Gauhati University’s Department of English. Here, he introduced the tenets of Anglo-American New Criticism to the study of Assamese and Indian literature. Over time, he transitioned from an eclectic radical thinker to a Marxist scholar, incorporating the ideas of critics like György Lukács and Antonio Gramsci into Assamese literary criticism.
His literary corpus includes influential works such as ‘Sahityar Satya’, ‘Sahitya Aru Chetana’, ‘Biswayatan’, ‘Asomiya Jatiya Jibanat Mahapurushiya Paramapara’, and ‘Assam: A Burning Question’, which delve into the socio-political landscape of Assam. Dr. Gohain’s impact extends beyond academia; he regularly contributes columns to regional and national newspapers and publications such as Economic and Political Weekly.
Dr. Gohain has been vocal in his critique of Assamese nationalist extremism, Hindutva ideology, and various socio-political issues. He has vehemently opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, drawing parallels between its exclusionary nature and historical injustices. Additionally, he has criticized the policies of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Dr. Gohain has played a crucial role in mediating peace talks between the Government of India and the Assamese insurgent group ULFA. His endeavours in conflict resolution and advocacy for social justice have earned him widespread admiration and respect within and beyond Assam.
The ‘Parag Kumar Das Journalism Award’ stands as a fitting acknowledgment of Dr. Hiren Gohain’s lifelong commitment to scholarship, journalism, and activism, reaffirming his stature as a leading figure in Assam’s intellectual landscape.
