"Journalists in Barak Valley have played a role awakening the healthcare infrastructure from its slumber," Angshuman Acharjee

The National Union Of Journalists (India) has nominated Angshuman Acharjee for his contribution to journalism during the pandemic. Correspondent of Dainik Gati, Angshuman Acharjee is a senior journalist in Barak Valley and was previously associated with Dainik Jugashanka.

Founded in 1972, the NUJ India is headquartered in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, and has office bearers in every state in the country. Political Editor of Rashtriya Khabar, Ras Bihari is the current president of the union whereas, Dalim Phukan and Bhupen Goswami are the heads of the Assam unit.

“The recognition is overwhelming,” says Angshuman Acharjee. “My colleagues in the fraternity have done far more than I have. So, with all due respect to the adjudicators, I think there are people more deserving than me. However, I accept the nomination with gratefulness,” he adds.

Acharjee has remained on the field since the very beginning of the pandemic. He has reported about the first COVID positive patient in Assam and continues to do so. “In the process of reporting during this pandemic, I have seen crisis in a new avatar. The pain of a son not able to see his father for the last time, not able to cremate or attend the cremation has touched my heart deep inside,” he says.

The COVID protocols are such that even the most powerful feel helpless. “I have seen people with deep pockets helplessly weep as there is nothing that could be done. They have the money to afford treatment in any hospital across the country, but there is no treatment available. While on the ground, I have seen these stories from close proximity and that has shaken me a lot as a person,” asserts Acharjee.

However, he believes, it has also been a blessing in disguise. “These model hospitals, primary health care centres and dispensaries were left unattended. People craved for care and treatment from these institutions but stayed hungry as there were no technicians to test, nurses to attend, and doctors to cure. Today, all the hospitals and healthcare centres are up and running. Once the pandemic is over, these hospitals if maintained, can improve the healthcare infrastructure in the Valley,” shares Acharjee.

While a lot of it was to manage the disaster and crisis, Achaejee feels, “Journalists in Barak Valley have played a role awakening the healthcare infrastructure from its slumber.” He feels the reports published by Print and Digital publications in Barak Valley have exposed the loopholes in the system. He also appreciates the fact that the management of respective publications has fearlessly published criticism and encouraged reporters.

“Yet, I feel, the reports have not managed to impact the way it should have,” opines Acharjee. “Each time there was a criticism, the administration, as well as the SMCH authority peddled a counter-narrative using their own platforms without providing any room for questioning or discourse,” he adds.

In July, the spread of Coronavirus had reached the journalist fraternity. Dainik Prantojyoti and Barak Bulletin’s correspondent Biswa Kalyan (Tilak) Purkayashya had tested positive for COVID19 and was admitted to the hospital. “That was an alarming sign for all of us,” recalls Acharjee. “To be honest, I was scared for a while too. Biswa Kalyan, I, and six or seven of us have always been on the field. Me and Biswa Kalyan have traveled together to many places. More than what if I get infected, I feared another reporter staying away from the field. My fear was that the readers might stay deprived,” says Acharjee.

Promptly adding, “Using digital technologies, Biswa Kalyan continued his work from COVID ward which is phenomenal but I am sure he missed reporting from the ground. I am sure the restrictions must have come as a challenge for him.”

The recognition received by Angshuman Acharjee has been lauded by his peers in the fraternity, and he has been showered by many congratulatory messages. He will travel to the state capital to accept the honour. “I dedicate this to my parents Asit Kumar Acharjee and Sipra Acharjee,” Angshuman concludes.