Guwahati | The Assam government has finalised the recipients of the Assam Baibhav, Assam Saurav and Assam Gaurav awards for 2025, recognising 17 individuals and organisations for their contributions to healthcare, wildlife conservation, sports, agriculture, culture and entrepreneurship.

Dr Harsha Bhattacharyya, president and founder trustee of Srimanta Sankaradeva Nethralaya, has been selected for the Assam Baibhav, the highest civilian honour conferred by the state government, in recognition of his contributions to eye care and healthcare services.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the names at a press briefing at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Friday, following the state Cabinet meeting. He said the 2025 awards could not be conferred last year and the government was announcing the list now.

According to the Chief Minister, the 2025 awards will be presented in December this year, while the 2026 awards will be conferred in January 2027. The government plans to announce the names of the 2026 awardees within a month.

Sarma said a Cabinet sub-committee comprising ministers Keshab Mahanta, Ajanta Neog, Ranoj Pegu and Jayanta Mallabaruah had overseen the selection process.

“The Assam Baibhav, Assam Saurav and Assam Gaurav awards for 2025 have been finalised. As we could not confer the awards last year, we are announcing the 2025 list now. The list of awardees for 2026 will be announced within a month, and the two sets of awards will be presented separately,” the Chief Minister said.

Assam Baibhav: Recognition for healthcare services

Dr Harsha Bhattacharyya has been selected for the Assam Baibhav in recognition of his work in eye care and healthcare delivery. As president and founder trustee of Srimanta Sankaradeva Nethralaya, he has contributed to the development of specialised eye-care services in the state.

The Assam Baibhav is the highest of the three civilian honours instituted by the Assam government.

Four selected for Assam Saurav

Four distinguished personalities have been chosen for the Assam Saurav award for their contributions to wildlife conservation, cultural heritage and the arts.

The recipients are:

” Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma: Padma Shri awardee and noted wildlife expert.

” Nuruddin Ahmed: Padma Shri awardee recognised for his contributions to the arts and cultural heritage.

” Pulak Banerjee: Singer known for his contribution to music.

” Dr Purnima Devi Barman: Wildlife conservationist renowned for her efforts to protect the greater adjutant stork, locally known as the hargila.

The selection recognises work spanning wildlife protection, cultural preservation and the promotion of Assam’s artistic traditions.

Assam Gaurav recognises diverse achievements

The Assam Gaurav awardees represent a wide range of fields, including football, cricket, chess, agriculture, tourism, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation.

The selected recipients are:

1. Devi Prasad Bagrodia

2. Holicharan Narzary, footballer

3. Simu Das, visually impaired cricketer

4. Harakanta Basumatary, recognised for successful palm oil cultivation

5. Dhanjit Talukdar, associated with manuscript conservation

6. Nibetiya Yein, food and tourism entrepreneur

7. Mayong Chakraborty, chess grandmaster

8. Jiten Sarangfangsa, agricultural entrepreneur known for ginger cultivation in Karbi Anglong

9. Tanumaya Sonar Bishwakarma, recognised as a Lakhpati Baideu

10. Dikpal Lahon, associated with travel and tourism in Lakhimpur

11. Kolong Kopili, a non-governmental organisation

12. Podum Pathar Agro Organic Producer Company Limited, a farmer-producer organisation

The selections highlight achievements in both individual and community-led initiatives. From sporting accomplishments to agricultural innovation and the preservation of traditional manuscripts, the awards seek to recognise contributions that support the state’s cultural and socioeconomic development.

The inclusion of a non-governmental organisation and a farmer-producer company also extends recognition beyond individual achievers to organisations working in community development and agriculture.

2026 award list due within a month

With the 2025 recipients announced, the state government is preparing to complete the next cycle of civilian honours. Sarma said the 2026 awardees would be announced within a month, with the awards to be presented separately in January 2027.

The staggered schedule means Assam will hold two award ceremonies within a short period: the delayed presentation of the 2025 honours in December 2026, followed by the 2026 awards in January 2027.