"Silchar: The first edition of the Rabijit Choudhury Memorial Lecture was inaugurated today at the University Auditorium of Gurucharan University, Silchar, marking an important academic engagement on contemporary education policy. The lecture, organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in coordination with the Department of Mass Communication, focused on the theme “Three Language Policy of NEP: Is it the way forward?”Advertisment The inaugural session witnessed the presence of faculty members, non-teaching staff, and students, reflecting wide interest in the ongoing national discourse on language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP). The memorial lecture is being held in honour of late Rabijit Choudhury, remembered for his contribution to intellectual and academic thought. Delivering the memorial lecture, Ranoj Pegu, Minister of Education, Government of Assam, provided a comprehensive overview of the Three Language Policy envisaged under the NEP. He elaborated on its objectives, challenges, and potential impact on India"s diverse linguistic landscape, with special reference to the Northeast. Minister Pegu also highlighted the importance of balancing national integration with the preservation of regional and indigenous languages. Addressing concerns and misconceptions, he categorically stated that no language is being imposed on any linguistic group under the NEP. He stated that there is a widespread but incorrect belief that Hindi, often referred to as the national language, is being forced upon others. Clarifying the policy framework, he said such claims are unfounded, adding that while learning the mother tongue and MIL is encouraged, the NEP does not enforce any rigid language mandate. Expanding the discussion beyond education, the minister drew attention to the growing challenges posed by artificial intelligence to journalism and public trust. He warned that AI-generated fake images, videos, and reports are becoming increasingly realistic and dangerous, with the potential to mislead society and erode credibility in the media. In this context, he urged journalists to remain vigilant, continuously upgrade their skills, and use technology responsibly, underlining that truth must remain at the core of the profession. He also expressed concern over the unchecked flow of unverified information on social media platforms, where anyone can circulate content without accountability. Such practices, he said, often create confusion, fear and misunderstanding. He reminded media professionals that their role is not merely to break news quickly, but to verify facts and act as filters of truth, observing that honest and ethical reporting is the backbone of a healthy and informed society. While reflecting on these contemporary issues, the education minister paid rich tribute to late Rabijit Choudhury, remembering him as a respected journalist, public thinker, and social activist whose contributions left a lasting impact on journalism, higher education, and social harmony in Assam and the Northeast. He said late Rabijit Choudhury consistently stood for fairness, social justice, and the uplift of marginalised and tribal communities and firmly believed that journalism must serve the people and give voice to the unheard. Pegu thanked Gurucharan University for honouring this legacy and expressed hope that Choudhury"s ideals would continue to inspire students, journalists, and thinkers. The programme was held in the presence of Prof. Niranjan Roy, Vice Chancellor of Gurucharan University; Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty; and Dr. Krishna Chandra Das, Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell. Prof. Roy, in his presidential lecture, shared personal memories of Rabijit Choudhury and highlighted his journey as a student leader, journalist, and public intellectual. He also spoke on Assam"s early implementation of the NEP, drawing a clear link between mother tongue education, multilingual learning, and economic growth, citing global examples from countries such as the United States, Japan, and Germany. Describing the NEP as a historic step, he noted that new curricula are being framed to integrate skill-based learning across disciplines, with academic credit for practical competencies. During the programme, Dr Manabendra Nath presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to the education minister, while the profile of late Rabijit Choudhury was read out by Dr Pradipta Deb. Born on May 8, 1941, Choudhury began his career as a student leader and briefly served as a history lecturer before dedicating himself fully to journalism. He later edited Dainik Jugashakti, contributed to Sunday and The Free Press Journal, and earned wide recognition for his travel writing and incisive ground reports. He also played a key role in the establishment of Assam University, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.Organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell in coordination with the Department of Mass Communication, the event drew a large gathering of faculty members, students, and academicians, making it a vibrant platform for academic exchange. Notably, Shankhadeep Choudhury, son of late Rabijit Choudhury and vice chairman of the Dainik Jugasankha Group of Publications, was also present. The programme was smoothly anchored by Prof. Debipreeta Dutta, floral tributes were also paid to the portrait of Rabijit Choudhury at the outset, and Dr Sandipa Das Shil, head of the mass communication department of G.C. University, delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was conducted under the patronage of Professor Niranjan Roy, Vice-Chancellor of Gurucharan University, who underscored the relevance of such academic platforms in fostering critical dialogue and policy awareness among students and educators. He noted that memorial lectures of this nature strengthen the university"s commitment to quality education and informed debate. Speaking on the occasion, organisers from the IQAC emphasised that the lecture aligns with the university"s efforts to encourage scholarly engagement with national education reforms. The event also reaffirmed Gurucharan University"s role as an emerging centre for academic debate since its establishment as a state university under the Assam Act No. LVII of 2023. The Rabijit Choudhury Memorial Lecture offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the evolving educational framework and its implications for the future generation. Also Read: JJM in Shambles: Rs 1.26 Cr Project Lies Abandoned in Assam's Chabua"