NEW DELHI: Today it is indeed a proud moment for Assam as President Ram Nath Kovind in his joint address to the Parliament ahead of the Budget Session 2021, quoted Assam Kesari Ambikagiri Raichoudhury.
Notably, as the President spoke about unity and called for the nation to stay united as this unity has helped the country face and overcome any challenge or adversity over the years, be it COVID or major cyclones or the locust attack or the bird flu and the crisis along the international border.
Reading out of the President's speech, Vice President M Vankaiah Naidu quoted the Assamese poet's 'Om Tat Sat Bharat Mata, Ek Chetanat, Ek Dhyanat, Ek Sadhanat, Ek Abegat, Hoi Ja, Ek Hoi Ja' to drive home the message of unity that Mahatma Gandhi (Bapuji) had preached for years, the same sentiment is reflected in Ambikagiri's poem, a reason why the poet is also known as a staunch nationalist.
Ambikagiri Raichoudhury was born on December 18, 1885, in Barpeta, Assam. He took part in the Independence movement and was jailed by the British. The poet was also a prolific writer with strong nationalistic flavour. He won the Sahitya Natak Akademi award in 1965.
Further, in the address to the house, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said about the development and progress of India's infrastructure, including new expressways, Brahmaputra waterways, Railways' freight trains and metro connectivity.
Earlier on December 4, 2020, the Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh L. Mandaviya held a virtual meeting with Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and shared a detailed framework of a nearly Rs. 3000 crore project for improving navigability, transport, trade and commerce of the rivers Brahmaputra and Barak the national waterways 2 and 16.
Further CM Sonowal assured total cooperation from the State government and said that once fully implemented the entire 891 km stretch of the Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Dhubri and Barak would receive new lease of life in providing gateways to neighbouring countries which would also catapult to the success of Act East Policy.
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