Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva Sports University (SSASU) in Dibrugarh was honoured with the FERN Gold Award — Fit India Eco-friendly and Responsible Navigation — by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports during World Bicycle Day celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on June 7, 2026. SSASU is the only institution from Assam and the entire Northeast to receive the gold-level recognition, which celebrates campuses that have become fully vehicle-free to promote sustainable, active commuting.
The award was presented personally by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to SSASU registrar Pankaj Borthakur, who accepted it on the university’s behalf. SSASU shared the Gold Award with Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Odisha — institutions cited for establishing their entire campuses as 100 percent vehicle-free zones.
SSASU’s campus in Dibrugarh has been maintained as a vehicle-free environment since its founding, encouraging students, faculty and staff to walk, cycle or use other eco-friendly modes of transport. The university says this policy fosters active living and environmental responsibility alongside its focus on sports education.
At the ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya praised the recipient institutions for setting an example: “Today, I am pleased to recognise those institutions that have successfully transformed their university and industrial campuses into 100 percent vehicle-free zones. Their commitment serves as an inspiring example for others across the country.” He added that the broader aim is for schools, colleges and universities to adopt vehicle-free campuses, encourage cycling and promote healthier lifestyles, saying, “By embracing these practices, we can contribute to a fitter, greener, and more sustainable India.”
SSASU vice-chancellor Prof. Hirendra Nath Sarma described the recognition as validation of the university’s forward-looking philosophy, saying the award underscores SSASU’s growing reputation in sports education and sustainable campus development and that the institution would continue to expand its green initiatives.
The FERN Awards also include a silver category for campuses with partial vehicle-free measures. Silver honours announced during World Bicycle Day events went to institutions such as IIT Hyderabad, LNIPE Gwalior, Parul University and Kumaraguru College of Technology.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/ssasu-dibrugarh-bags-prestigious-golden-fern-award/articleshow/131634069.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-06-10 17:05:00
