Modi inaugurates AIIMS-Guwahati, three medical colleges
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Assam is finally becoming an A1 state. Speaking at the Mega Bihu recital at Sarisajai Stadium on Friday last, the Prime Minister recalled his visit to the state during the Assembly elections, when he had remarked about the day when people would voice ‘A for Assam’, and ‘the state is finally becoming an A1 state’.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister ceremonially dedicated to the nation the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)—Guwahati and also inaugurated three new medical colleges, one each at Nagaon, Nalbari, and Kokrajhar. Apart from these, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Government of Assam and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati joint venture titled Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHI), a 350-bed superspecialty hospital and cutting-edge medical research centre to be built at an approximate cost of Rs 600 crore at the IIT Guwahati campus. The Prime Minister also ceremonially launched the distribution process of nearly 11 million (1.1 crore) Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana cards for beneficiaries across the State.
Addressing the gathering at Sarusajay, the Prime Minister remarked that the health infrastructure of Assam and the Northeast has found new strength as the region gets its first AIIMS and Assam gets three new medical colleges.
From the Sarisajai Stadium, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various projects worth more than Rs. 10,900 crore. The projects include laying the foundation stone for 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 colourful Bihu programme performed by more than ten thousand Bihu dancers. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked, “It is beyond imagination; it is phenomenal. This is Assam. The sound of dhols, pepas, and gogonas can be heard all over India today. The efforts and synergy of thousands of artistes from Assam are being witnessed by the country as well as the world with great pride.”
The Prime Minister said that the Bihu festival reflects the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and is an inspiration to fulfil the resolution of Viksit Bharat with Sabka Prayas.
On cultural connectivity, 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.
Highlighting the achievements in expanding connectivity in the last 9 years, the Prime Minister mentioned all-road connectivity to most of the villages in the Northeast, new airports that have become functional and commercial flights landing for the first time, broad gauge trains reaching Manipur and Tripura, new rail lines being laid in the Northeast three times faster than before, and the doubling of rail lines taking place at a rate almost 10 times faster than earlier. The Prime Minister highlighted that five railway projects that have been inaugurated and are worth more than Rs 6,000 crore will accelerate the development of a large part of the region, including Assam.
State Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli were present on the occasion, among others.
At the programme, the authorities concerned with the Guinness Book of World Records handed over two certificates, one for Bihu and the other for the dholias, to the Chief Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “The aim of the State Government is to take Bihu and the might of the people of Assam to every nook and cranny of the world. Assam is going to scale the top in education, culture, etc. And it will be the hub one day.”
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