Lachit Barphukan's life inspires us to put nation first: PM Narendra Modi

'Unfortunate that we were taught history written as a conspiracy by enslavers'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opined that "Lachit Barphukan's life inspires us to live the mantra of 'Nation First'. His life inspires us to rise above self and to give the highest priority to the national interest. His life teaches us that instead of nepotism and dynasty, the country should be supreme."

Addressing the closing ceremony of the year-long celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan in New Delhi on Friday, Modi referred to instances from the life of Bir Lachit Barphukan and said that "no person or relative is above the nation".

The Prime Minister also released a book titled 'Lachit Barphukan: Assam's Hero who Halted the Mughals' on the occasion. Further, he advised playwrights to script a play on Lachit which could be staged in all states and Union Territories of the country.

The Prime Minister further mentioned that India is celebrating the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan at a time when the country is marking 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. Terming Bir Lachit's exploits as a glorious chapter of the history of Assam, Modi said, "I salute this great tradition on the occasion of the festival of India's eternal culture, eternal valour and eternal existence."

The Prime Minister reiterated India's mood to get rid of the mentality of slavery and take pride in its heritage. India is not only celebrating its cultural diversity but also acknowledging the unsung heroes and heroines of its history. "Immortal sons of Maa Bharati like Lachit Barphukan are the inspiration of fulfilling the resolutions of the Amrit Kaal. They make us familiar with the identity and glory of our history and also spur us to dedicate ourselves to the nation," Modi added.

Shedding light on the history of Assam, Modi said that it belongs to the precious heritage of India's cultural journey. It is an amalgamation of thoughts and ideology, society and culture, and beliefs and traditions. Remarking on the unmatched bravery of the land of Assam and the North-East, Modi said that the people of the land have witnessed Turks, Afghans and Mughals being driven away on numerous occasions. Even though the Mughals had captured Guwahati, it was bravehearts like Lachit Barphukan who won independence from the clutches of tyrannical rulers of the Mughal empire. The act of valour shown by Bir Lachit Barphukan at Saraighat was not just an example of unparalleled love for the motherland, but he also had the power of uniting the entire region where every citizen was ready to defend the motherland if required.

"Lachit Barphukan's bravery and fearlessness is the identity of Assam," Modi remarked.

"The history of India is not just about slavery", Modi said, adding, "the history of India is about emerging victorious, it is about the valour of countless greats."

He further added that India's history is about standing against tyranny with unprecedented valour and courage.

"Unfortunately, we were taught, even after Independence, the same history which was written as a conspiracy during the period of slavery. After Independence, it was needed to change the agenda of foreigners who made us slaves. However, that was not done", he said.

The stories of fierce resistance to tyranny in every part of the country were wilfully suppressed. "There are countless stories of victory over tyranny during the long period of repression. The mistake of not highlighting those events in the mainstream is being rectified now," Modi said.

He said that the fact that this event is taking place in Delhi is a reflection of this change.

The Prime Minister emphasized that when a nation knows its real past, only then it can learn from its experiences and tread the correct direction for its future. "It is our responsibility that our sense of history is not confined to a few decades and centuries", he said.

Referring to Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, Modi said that it is only by repeatedly remembering that we can give the coming generation a correct picture of history.

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