Mantu Das, an accomplished artist, painter and sculptor was on Monday conferred the first Zebra Force Award as a public recognition of untiring service in the field of art for almost three decades at a function in Mangaldai in Assam’s Darrang district.
Prominent television journalist Syed Zarir Hussain, who is also the chief managing editor of New Live, a private satellite channel and Dr Khagendra Kr Nath, principal Mangaldai College ceremonially handed over the award to artist Das at a cultural evening on Monday, organized as a part of the concluding function of the three-day celebration of the 34th foundation day of the pioneer socio-cultural organization.
The award carries a memento, a jaapi, gamosa and a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Speaking on the occasion, journalist Syed Zarir Hussain highly appreciated the commitments shown over the years by few socio-cultural organizations across the state including Tarun Sangha of Sivasagar and Zebra Force of Mangaldai, among others.
Earlier while announcing the award, Diganta Mani Bora, president of Zebra Force in presence of its secretaries, Hemanta Kr Barua and Bhupesh Krishna Goswami and other members of the organization, presented a brief account of the thirty four years long journey of the organization and recalled the sacrifices of the members and people of Mangaldai in making their efforts come true.
The award ceremony was followed by a cultural evening where many popular singers of the State including Kallol Borthakur, Dimpi Sonowal, Shyamal Saikia, Dipak Das, Padmanabh Bordoloi, Parveen Hussain etc enthralled the huge gathering of music lovers with their renditions.
The cultural evening sponsored by Brilliant Academy was inaugurated by local legislator, Gurujyoti Das in presence of Darrang Deputy Commissioner, Ashok Kr Barman, former Bihu exponent and award winning actress, Rupsikha Haloi among others.