Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust, a Dibrugarh-based non-profit dedicated to cancer awareness and prevention, marked its eighth anniversary on Saturday with a full-day programme at the Dibrugarh District Sports Association’s outdoor stadium, stepping into its ninth year of service. The event was highlighted by the presentation of several prestigious awards recognising excellence in oncology and palliative care.
Dr Munindra Narayan Baruah received the Dr Heramba Kumar Bharali Memorial Award for his remarkable contributions to cancer care, while Dr Kabindra Bhagwati was honored with the Dr Prahlad Kumar Baruah Memorial Award for exemplary palliative care services. The DK Gogoi Shastri Memorial Palliative Service Leadership Award was presented to Dr Gayatri Palat from Hyderabad, a leading figure in the field.
Furthermore, Guwahati’s ‘Karunadhara Trust’ received the Ashwinicharan Choudhury Memorial Cancer Prevention Social Service Award. Senior journalist Anil Poddar from Dibrugarh was honoured with this year’s ‘Pratishruti’ Media Award. All recipients were celebrated with citations, mementos, and traditional garments.
Dr Alok Kumar Buragohain, President of ‘Pratishruti’ and Vice-Chancellor of Royal Global University, delivered the welcome address, appealing to all stakeholders to continue their efforts for the suffering masses. He outlined the organisation’s future vision, stating, “In the days to come, we would work not only against cancer but also identify its associated causes and fight against them.”
Chief Guest Nitumoni Saikia, Editor-in-Chief of Pratidin Time, lauded the organisation’s dedication. “‘Pratishruti’ is a symbol of resolve, courage, and sacrifice,” he said. “They have dedicated their time and labour… which has brought a ‘smile of joy’ to their faces.”Saikia noted the paradox of increasing cancer cases despite the state having fourteen cancer hospitals, expressing regret that public awareness programs are “very few.” He backed the demand for a ‘Cancer Hospice’ in Upper Assam and pointed to potential risk factors, mentioning that the “widespread consumption of pork and the use of pesticides in tea gardens are leading to a higher prevalence of cancer.”
Dr Gayatri Gogoi, honorary Director and the face of ‘Pratishruti’, highlighted the organisation’s impactful work, including the administration of HPV vaccines for cervical cancer prevention to 2,600 individuals in the past six months. Four doctors—Anannya Baruah, Trishnashree Bora, Devarshana Bora, and Sharadjyotsna Anannya Saikia—were recognised as ‘HPV Vaccine Champions’ at the event.
