Guwahati (The Stellar News): A life size statue of Ahom general Mahabir Lachit Barphukan was unveiled yesterday at Sepon in eastern Assam by State chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal glorifying the great Ahom general’s astonishing fights against the Mughal invaders todefeat in the battle of Saraighat. Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal commented that Lachit Barphukan’s courage and valour gave distinct identity to the Assamese people worldwide inspiring generations after generations to dedicate themselves selflessly in the service to the nation. He urged the people of Assam to devote themselves for safeguarding the Assamese identity, its culture and precious heritages.
“Today being the Asom Divas, I pay deep tributes to Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha and urged the people to commit themselves for promoting unity, harmony and brotherhood in the society,” said Sonowal adding that the Ahom kings espousing the ideals of unity & harmony created six hundred years of remarkable history full of heroism and great virtues. Understanding the need for further researches on the history of Ahom period, Sonowal pointed out that the government had taken up the initiative to set up Swargadeo Samannay Kshetra in a bid to inspire the younger generation to realize the contributions of 42 great Ahom kings. He asserted that while the global organization today talk about unity, solidarity and harmony, the Ahom kings set precedent of these ideals in its kingdom centuries back.
Later Sonowal gave away Siu-Ka-Pha award to eminent Arunachali author Padmashri Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi in a different function held at Dibrugarh. The award carries a gamocha, chabkan, hendgdang, safura & a cheque of rupees three lakh.
Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Act East Policy has set the goal to transform Assam and the northeastern region as an important destination for the south-east Asian nations, Sonowal called upon the people to march ahead with Siu-Ka-Pha’s spirits. He observed that there was a need for further interactions between the people of the region and south-east Asian countries. In presence of prominent Tai scholar Pushpa Gogoi, State cultural minister Naba Kumar Doley & revenue minister JogenMohan, Parliamentarians Kamakhya Prasad Tasa & Tapan Gogoi, legislator Chakradhar Gogoi, Sonowal also lauded the contribution of Sahitay Academy awardee Thongchi for his role in developing better bonhomie among the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.