The Assam Baibhav Award is the most significant civilian award of Assam, which is given to the person who has made outstanding and enduring contributions to the state. Initially designed to be called the Asom Ratna Award it was subsequently renamed to be the best award of the state, Asom Baibhav.
The civilian award system of Assam consists of three major awards:
- Asom Baibhav – Highest Honour
- Asom Saurav – Formerly Asom Bibhushan
- Asom Gaurav – Formerly Asom Shree
To ensure cultural consistency and clarity these titles were formally renamed and standardised by the Assam Cabinet.
Origins and Evolution of Assam’s Civilian Awards
Asom Ratna Award (2008–2015)
The present civilian awards in Assam were based on the Asom Ratna Award which was formally declared by the then Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, in the year 2008. This honour was only bestowed three times and it honoured people who had given extraordinary glory to the state.
List of Asom Ratna Awardees:
| Year | Recipient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Dr Bhupen Hazarika | Music, culture and social reform |
| 2012 | Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami (Posthumous) | Literature and social activism |
| 2015 | Dr Jitendra Nath Goswami | Space science and research |
While the award was later discontinued, it laid the groundwork for the present system of Assam’s civilian awards.
About the Assam Baibhav Award
Official Establishment
The Assam Baibhav Award was officially announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 2 December 2021 on Asom Diwas (Assam Day). It was awarded in place of the previously suggested Asom Ratna and was the highest civilian award of the state.
Award Purpose
This award is given to recognize the exceptional performance in the areas like social service, health, government, judiciary, defence, culture and nation-building.
Key Features and Benefits of the Assam Baibhav Award
1. Highest Civilian Honour
The Assam Baibhav is the highest in the hierarchy of civilian awards in the state.
2. Award Benefits
Recipients receive:
- Cash reward of ₹5,00,000
- Free medical care of lifetime at the government cost.
- Complimentary treatment of serious diseases.
- Free accommodation in Assam Bhawans or circuit houses
- Free transit in the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) buses.
All these privileges underscore the interest of the state to respect those outside the ceremonial acknowledgement.
3. Iconic Award Design
The medal displays:
- A conventional Jaapi, which is a representation of the Assamese descent.
- The words “Assam Baibhav” engraved in Assamese
- An embossed pattern on the leaf of the Hollong tree which is the state tree in Assam
4. One Awardee Per Year
To maintain exclusivity and prestige, only one individual is selected annually.
Renaming of Assam’s Civilian Awards
| Former Name | New Name (Current) |
|---|---|
| Asom Ratna | Asom Baibhav |
| Asom Bibhushan | Asom Saurav |
| Asom Shree | Asom Gaurav |
This renaming has been done so as to have a culturally integrated and significant award system.
Assam Baibhav Award Recipients (2021–Present)
| Year | Recipient | Field | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ratan Tata | Social Services | Empowering cancer care facilities in Assam |
| 2022 | Dr Tapan Saikia | Healthcare & Public Service | Lifetime service in cancer treatment and medical outreach |
| 2023 | Justice Ranjan Gogoi | Law & Justice | Contribution to the judicial system and national legal reforms |
| 2024 | Lt Gen (Retd) Rana Pratap Kalita | Defence | Distinguished service to the Indian Armed Forces |
Why the Assam Baibhav Award Matters
The award is an indication of excellence, service and impact on the society as recognized by Assam. The government can guarantee that awardees enjoy high rewards in addition to long term rewards of their services to the state.
Conclusion
The Assam Baibhav Award is a civilian award derived out of the Assom Ratna. It is an honour to social service, healthcare, defence, literature and justice leaders, a reflection of the great reverence the state has in honouring those who have served Assam and brought it to the pinnacle of development.
