''People's choice Award 2006'' given away to regional talents

Guwahati, Jul 08 (UNI) In a bid to encourage regional talents in different spheres of life, a private satellite channel of the North East, NE Television, gave away its second ''People's Choice Awards'' at a glittering function at Kalakshetra here last night.

Altogether 32 personalities from the eight NE states, including Sikkim, were given the award.

In film category, ''Jiban Trishna'' was selected the best film.

Mr Rabi Sharma was chosen the best actor, Ms Barasha Rani Bishaya the best actress, Mr Arup Manna best film director and Mr Prabhat Sharma the best musician. National award winner Tarali Sharma and Jubin Garg were awarded best female and male singers respectively.

Lifetime achievement awards were given to Mr Ratan Thiyam of Manipur for theater, Ms Hemangini Bordoli of Asom for her contribution to art, Mr Rameshwar Pathak of Asom for his contribution to folk music, Mr Ba Lou Majwa of Meghalaya for his work in keeping the memory of the Western legends alive in the NE, Ms Pushpa Bhuyan of Asom for her contribution to classical dance, Mr Siba Prasad Barua of Asom for journalism, Mr Pabitra Kumar Deka for his contribution to cine journalism and Mr Dilip Choudhury of Asom for his contribution to scientific research.

Youth Icon awards were given to 'Voice of India' Debojit Saha and Mr S C Vanajumta of Mizoram.

People's Choice award through voting were given to Mr Tapan Dutta of Tripura for politics, Mr Jayanta Bhowmik for performing arts, Mr Chinmoy Das for classical dance, Mr Sanjoy Kar for theater, Ganga for poetry, Sekhar Dutta for print journalism and T Sunil Kumar for electronic journalism While Dr Anuj Baruah of Asom was given the award for young entrepreneur, Mericom of Manipur received it for sports.

Governor of Asom Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh, Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob and Tripura Governor D N Sahaya were present on the occasion.

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