GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while attending as chief guest the 57th Sammelan Divas of Assam Gorkha Sammelan held at Garpal in the Sonitpur district on Friday, lauded the role of Assam Gorkha Sammelan as the torch-bearer of inalienable rights of the Gorkhas of Assam as sons of the soil.
Assam Gorkha Sammelan, since its inception, has been relentlessly working towards uplift of the members of the Gorkha community of Assam, the Chief Minister said. He also added that the Gorkhas are an integral part of the greater Assamese community.
The Chief Minister said that ever since he took over the reins of the State administration in 2021, sincere efforts had been made to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the members of the Gorkhas of Assam. “The current dispensation in the State has put an end to the harrasment of Gorkhas of Assam in the name of identification of foreigners,” he said. He also spoke about numerous initiatives such as conferment of ‘protected class’ status to Gorkhas, among others, aimed at socio-economic empowerment of the community members. The Chief Minister further declared that from now onwards, Assam Gorkha Sammelan would have the authority to issue Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates to eligible members of the Gorkha community. The Chief Minister also said that steps should be taken to issue Gorkha Certificates through dedicated portals and that this initiative would prove helpful for the Gorkha youths of the State to get enrolled into the Indian armed forces.
Chief Minister Sarma also appealed to the Gorkha civil society organizations to work towards developing a progressive mindset among the Gorkha youths. He said Gorkhas must walk hand-in-hand with members of the other communities of the State in making best use of the opportunities a new and resurgent Assam and India are offering. He further appealed to the Gorkhas of Assam not to dissociate themselves from their roots and work towards preserving their glorious saga of valour.
The Chief Minister also declared that a state-of-the-art mini stadium and a police outpost would be built at Garpal area, which he referred to as one of the most important places in the State linked to Assam’s Gorkhas.
Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency Member of Parliament Raju Bista, MP (Tezpur Lok Sabha constituency) Pallab Lochan Das, and other dignitaries were present at the event.
Also Read: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to attend 57th Sammelan Divas of Assam Gorkha Sammelan (AGS)
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