Sonitpur, May 13: India’s youngest snake rescuer, Raj Sourav Barkotoky of Tezpur, was conferred with the honorary title “Sarp Konwar” (Serpent Prince) during a special programme organised to mark the International Day of Plant Health on Tuesday.
The event was organised by environmental organisation Seuj Society at the conference hall of Dhekiajuli Higher Secondary School in Assam’s Sonitpur district. Alongside Barkotoky, nature enthusiast and engineer Muhsinur Rahman was honoured with the “Seuj Rakshak Award – 2026” in recognition of his contributions.
The honorary title was presented to Raj Sourav Barkotoky by Rana Pratap Baruah, Chief Advisor of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), who also delivered the inaugural address. The “Seuj Rakshak Award – 2026” was presented to Muhsinur Rahman by internationally renowned scientist Prabodh Kumar Das.
The programme was jointly organised by the Dhekiajuli regional branch of Seuj Society and Dhekiajuli Higher Secondary School. The session, conducted by school principal Juri Oja, was presided over by Narayan Bora, president of the School Management Committee.
Retired Sub-Divisional Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer and Seuj Society advisor Dr Umesh Chandra Das, along with Lakshminath Bezbaroa Academy principal Kajal Bora, assisted in conducting the programme.
The event was coordinated by members of Seuj Society’s Dhekiajuli regional branch, including branch coordinator Dolly Das, youth coordinator Sailab Bhattacharya, technology coordinator Najmal Hussain Bhuyan, supervisor Bablu Ansari and Monmoyuri Das.
During the programme, Seuj Society state president Sanjoy Baruah presented a brief overview of Raj Sourav Barkotoky’s achievements as India’s youngest snake rescuer. A separate introduction highlighting the work and contributions of Muhsinur Rahman was also presented.
The event began with a rendition of the song “Seujiya” by Dr Bhuyasi Das. The song was originally composed by renowned Assamese cultural icon Jyotiprasad Agarwala. Teacher Kalpana Das later presented a brief introduction to Rana Pratap Baruah.
Snake expert Professor Sourav Barkotoky delivered the keynote lecture titled “Protecting Plants and Protecting Snakes Means Protecting Life”, emphasising the importance of ecological conservation and coexistence with wildlife.
Among those present at the programme were writer-journalist Sujit Kotoki, Dhekiajuli Press Club secretary Diganta Sharma, Runima Agarwala Bora, Kamal Jyoti Goswami and several other distinguished personalities.
