Silchar, Assam: Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Thursday attended the first Rabijit Choudhury Memorial Lecture at Gurucharan University, Silchar, where he underscored that the National Education Policy (NEP) is rooted in choice and flexibility, not compulsion. The lecture, organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication, focused on the theme “Three Language Policy of NEP: Is It the Way Forward?”
The event was held in the presence of Gurucharan University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Niranjan Roy and Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, along with senior academicians, students, journalists, and members of the university fraternity.
Delivering the keynote address, Pegu clarified that the three-language policy under the NEP is often misunderstood. He stated that the policy encourages freedom of learning and respects regional and mother languages. “The essence of the NEP lies in choice. It allows students to choose languages and disciplines based on their interest and aptitude. There is no compulsion and no language is being imposed on anyone,” he said, dismissing concerns over the forced adoption of any particular language.
The education minister emphasised that linguistic diversity is a strength of the country and that the NEP seeks to preserve and promote this diversity while enabling students to acquire multilingual skills in a flexible manner. He added that the policy aims to empower learners rather than restrict them.
During his address, Pegu also raised concerns about the challenges facing journalism in the era of Artificial Intelligence. He cautioned that AI-generated fake images, videos, and reports could seriously undermine public trust in the media. Stressing the responsibility of journalists, he urged media professionals to remain vigilant and committed to verification and ethical standards.
“Your role is not merely to break news quickly, but to verify facts and act as filters of truth. Honest and ethical reporting is the backbone of a healthy and informed society,” an official statement quoted the minister as saying.
Paying tribute to late Rabijit Choudhury, Pegu described him as a distinguished journalist, public intellectual, and social activist who made significant contributions to journalism, higher education, and regional harmony in Assam and the Northeast. He highlighted Choudhury’s lifelong commitment to tribal societies, national integration, and ethical journalism, noting his important role in the establishment of Assam University, Silchar.
Pegu said that Choudhury’s ideals and values should continue to inspire students, journalists, and academics in the years to come. He also appreciated Gurucharan University for instituting the memorial lecture to honour Choudhury’s enduring legacy.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Niranjan Roy and MLA Dipayan Chakraborty also attended the programme, which saw active participation from students and members of the media fraternity. Speakers at the event reflected on Rabijit Choudhury’s contribution to society and the relevance of his work in the present context.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pegu later expressed his appreciation to the university community for commemorating Choudhury’s legacy and expressed hope that his ideals would continue to guide future generations of journalists, thinkers, and learners.
