Guwahati: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya attended the 126th foundation day celebration of Cotton University at the KBR Auditorium in Guwahati today and presented the Governor’s Excellence Awards to meritorious undergraduate and postgraduate students. Addressing the gathering, the Governor congratulated the students, faculty members and alumni and described Cotton University as one of the Northeast’s most prestigious centres of higher education and intellectual awakening. Recalling the institution’s journey since its establishment in 1901, he said the university has played a major role in shaping Assam’s literary, cultural and intellectual heritage as well as contributing to the freedom movement and nation-building.
Paying tribute to eminent personalities associated with the institution, the Governor mentioned renowned figures such as Bhupen Hazarika, Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Bhabendra Nath Saikia, Lakshmi Nandan Bora and Hem Barua, calling them enduring symbols of the institution’s rich legacy. The Governor’s Excellence Awards, launched in 2022 by Lok Bhavan, were presented to toppers in undergraduate and postgraduate categories. Each award included a gold medal, certificate, bundle of books and a cash prize of Rs. 5,000.
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Highlighting the importance of youth in nation-building, Shri Acharya urged students to remain committed to society and the nation while balancing academic excellence with moral values, innovation and social responsibility. He also stressed the importance of the Guru-Shishya tradition and praised teachers for shaping responsible citizens.
Eminent educationist Sourabh Pal delivered the Foundation Day Lecture on the evolving education system in the age of artificial intelligence. Vice Chancellor Ramesh Chandra Deka, Registrar Hiren Deka and several faculty members, students and distinguished guests were present on the occasion.
