Guwahati : Devarshi Narad Jayanti Samman to Veteran Journalist Nav Thakuria
GG News Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 4: Veteran Northeast journalist, columnist and media analyst Nav Thakuria has been selected for the prestigious Devarshi Narad Jayanti Samman 2026 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to journalism spanning more than three and a half decades. The award will be presented on June 7 at Sudarshanalaya in Borbari, Guwahati, during a special ceremony organized by Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK) Assam.
The event will feature renowned national news anchor and DD News Senior Consulting Editor Prakhar Srivastava as the chief speaker. He will deliver a special address highlighting the life, work and communication legacy of Devarshi Narad, regarded as one of the earliest messengers and communicators in Indian tradition.
Apart from Thakuria, journalists Lakshyajit Gohain of NKTV, Ranjita Rabha of Pratham Khabar and Mridul Haloi of Dainik Asam will also be honoured for their contributions to journalism.
According to VSK Assam Secretary Kishore Shivam, the media plays a vital role in keeping society informed, alert and accountable, while safeguarding public interest in a democratic system. He said the annual award seeks to recognize journalists who embody these values.
Nav Thakuria began his academic journey in engineering, enrolling in Assam Engineering College’s Mechanical Engineering department in 1985 and completing his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1990. However, instead of pursuing a conventional engineering career, he chose journalism and started his professional journey with Assamese daily Natun Dainik in August 1990 at the age of 22.
His transition to journalism was inspired by his physics professor Dr. Surendra Nath Medhi, better known in literary circles as Saurabh Chaliha. Veteran writer and journalist Chandra Prasad Saikia later provided him an opportunity to work with Natun Dainik, marking the beginning of a distinguished media career.
Since 2000, Thakuria has been actively engaged in English-language journalism and independent writing. His articles regularly appear in national and international publications and media platforms covering Northeast India, Eastern India and South Asian affairs.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he significantly contributed to Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) by documenting journalist fatalities worldwide. In recognition of this work, he became the first Indian journalist to receive a prestigious PEC media award in 2021. He currently serves as PEC’s representative for South and Southeast Asia.
The honour is being viewed as recognition not only of Thakuria’s individual achievements but also of the rich journalistic tradition of Northeast India.
