Chief Minister conferred on Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha Award

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA, May 27: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was conferred on the Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha Award by the conglomerate organizations of Muttock community at a glittering function on the closing day of the 213th celebration of Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha Divas at Rajkumar Longkeswar Gohain Memorial Kshetra in ITI Playground on Sunday. The award carried a seleng chador, a smarak of the Motok King Sarbananda Singha, a citation and cheque of Rs 1 lakh. While reiterating State government’s commitment to preserve the culture, heritage, peace and harmony of the State, Sonowal said it was the primary duty of every citizen to honour and preserve historical monuments. He also exhorted the people of the State not to panic under any circumstances and reaffirmed that the government was working to protect the interest of all the communities with equal importance.

Sonowal highlighted the people-centric administration of Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha and urged the people of the State to uphold his values in building a strong and vibrant Assam. “Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha set up the Motok kingdom with the help of the people to serve their cause and governed the province with the advice and support of the people. Therefore, to keep his ideals alive, the people of the State will have to replicate his vision and ideas in different fields of their works,” Sonowal said. “Motok is an integral part of Assamese society, a brave community that can resist any challenge to build a strong Assam,” he added.

Chief Minister Sonowal further said that Assam was a blessed land where legendary rulers like Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha, Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha, Lachit Borphukan, Birangana Sati Sadhini and Bodosa were born. Similarly, spiritual gurus like Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, Madavdeva, Aniruddhadeva, Harideva and Damodardeva inspired the Assamese community with moral and ethical values. The Assamese community would have to follow their ideals and work with greater enthusiasm to promote peace, harmony and brotherhood amongst all communities of the State, said the Chief Minister.

Stating the importance of reinforcing the bond of harmony amongst all the communities of the State, the Chief Minister further said that the government would set up a Unity Complex (Ekta Bhavan) after the name of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, reflecting the rich culture and heritage of the north-eastern States which would be unique in the country. He also announced to establish a Sports University in honour of Sri Sri Anuruddhadev. Sonowal in his speech also announced that the State government would construct a Bhavan in the name of Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha in Guwahati with a museum to display the weapons and artefacts belonging to the period of Motok rulers and said that land for this purpose had already been allotted.

Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley, speaking on the occasion, said that as per direction of the Chief Minister, the Cultural Affairs department would celebrate Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha Divas as government programme from next year, which would be organized at different places of the State. He said that the celebration would help to generate more awareness about Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha amongst the youth and promote harmony.

As part of the celebration, a souvenir was also released by Minister of State (i/c) for Power, Tapan Kumar Gogoi. Fourteen leading persons of the Motok community were also felicitated on the occasion for their contribution in different fields to the society. MP Rameswar Teli, MP Pradhan Baruah, MLA Sanjay Kishan and others were present on the occasion. Earlier, Chief Minister Sonowal also took part in a cultural event showcasing the folk culture of Sonowal Kachari named ‘Rongkhola’ at Gobindapur, Panitula in Tinsukia district on Sunday. The cultural event was organized by Tinsukia district regional unit of Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union.