The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various projects worth more than Rs. 10,900 crores at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on 14th of April. The projects include laying the foundation stone of a bridge connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi on the Brahmaputra river, a project for the beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar, the inauguration of a 500 TPD Menthol Plant in Namrup and dedicating to the nation five railway projects. The Prime Minister also witnessed a colorful Bihu programme performed by more than ten thousand Bihu dancers.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that anybody watching today’s magnificent spectacle would never forget this in his entire lifetime. “It is beyond imagination, it is phenomenal.
This is Assam” the Prime Minister said, “The sound of dhols, pepas and gogonas can be heard all over India today. The efforts and synergy of thousands of artists from Assam are being witnessed by the country as well as the world with great pride.” Highlighting the significance of the occasion, the Prime Minister applauded the spirits and enthusiasm of the artists.
The Prime Minister recalled his visit to the state during the Vidhan Sabha elections when he had remarked about the day when people will voice ‘A for Assam’, and said that the state is finally becoming an A1 state. The Prime Minister conveyed his greetings to the people of Assam and the country on the occasion of Bihu.
The Prime Minister lauded the people of Assam for preserving their culture and praised the magnificent programme that they mounted today. “Our festivals are not just cultural extravaganza but are a medium to unite everyone and inspiration to move forward together”, the Prime Minister said. He continued “Rongali Bihu is a festival of heart and soul for the people of Assam. Removes differences and is a symbol of perfect harmony between humans and nature.”
Talking about cultural connectivity, Shri Modi gave the example of the grand celebration of the 400th year of the great Assamese warrior Lachit Borphukan in Delhi. He illustrated cultural connectivity by talking about Rani Gaidinliu, Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, and Kedarnath-Kamakhya. “Today the connection is being deepened between every thought and culture”, he said. He referred to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent visit to Madhavpur Mela and said that this bond of Krishna Rukmani connects Northeast to Western India. He also said that after Muga Silk, Tezpur Lesu, Joha Rice, Boka Chaul, Kaji Nemu; now Gamosa also got the GI tag, This is an attempt to take the Assamese art and labor enterprise of our sisters to the rest of the country, he added.
The Prime Minister recalled when he came for the dedication of Bogibeel Bridge and also of The Dhola-Sadiya – Bhupen Hazarika Bridge. He highlighted the speed and scale of new projects in the last 9 years. He said the network of bridges over Brahmaputra was the result of the work done in the last 9 years and these bridges along with today’s bridge project will benefit the Sualkuchi silk industry.
Throwing light on the work done by the double-engine government to enhance social connectivity in the last 9 years, the Prime Minister gave examples of the Swachh Bharat Mission which resulted in lakhs of villages becoming open defecation free, the PM Awas Yojana which helped in providing houses to crores of people, Saubhagya Yojana for electricity, the Ujjwala Yojana for gas cylinders, and the Jal Jeevan Mission for tapped water supply. The Prime Minister also mentioned the Digital India Mission and cheap data that has eased the lives of citizens. “All these houses, all these families represent aspirational India. These are the strengths of India which will make the dream of a developed India come true”, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said that for development, the thread of trust should be equally strong. He said “Due to the efforts of our government, today there is permanent peace everywhere in the Northeast. Many youths have left the path of violence and started walking on the path of development. The atmosphere of mistrust in the Northeast is going away, the distance between hearts is disappearing.” He concluded, “In order to build a developed India in the Amrit Kaal of independence, we have to enhance this atmosphere. We have to move forward with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”
Governor of Assam, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli and Minister from Government of Assam were present on the occasion among others.