Lachit Borphukan will continue to inspire our Army: President Ram Nath Kovind

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: President of India Ram Nath Kovind said that Ahom-era general Lachit Borphukan's warfare skill was peerless, and he would continue to inspire the Indian Army. He also said that every household in India should consider him their beloved.

The President of India was speaking at the formal launching ceremony of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here today.

Launching the celebrations, the President of India said, "It was the military skill of Lachit Borphukan that defeated the Mughals. And that kept this region of the country beyond the reach of the Mughals. I bow down to his bravery and the land he was born. Every person of this generation should know Veer Lachit and his deeds. For Lachit Borphukan, the country always came first, the family later."

The President virtually laid the foundation stone of the statue of Lachit Borphukan and a war museum at Gossaigaon in Jorhat. He also laid the foundation stone of the Alaboi battle memorial at Dadara in the Kamrup district. He said, "Around 10,000 Ahom soldiers sacrificed their lives at Alaboi in the Ahom-Mughal battle. Lachit Borphukan led the Ahom army. Though the Mughals defeated the Ahoms in the Alaboi battle, the Ahoms defeated the Mughals in the Saraighat battle two years later.

"Assam gave me a portrait of Veer Lachit Borphukan today. I will keep this portrait with due respect at Rashtrapati Bhawan."

Mesmerized at the hospitality of Assam, the President said, "The people of Assam touched my heart to the core with their hospitality. The rest of India should take a cue from Assam on the hospitality of its own people. I don't feel myself a guest to Assam. I feel cosy as one of you. I'm yours, and your all are mine. I'm also a citizen of this country like you are. The only difference is that people call me the first citizen of the country."

Recalling maestro Bhupen Hazarika, the President said, "Nobody can describe the beauty of Assam better than Dr Bhupen Hazarika. Dr Hazarika's number – gutei jibon bisarileo… Axom dexor dore nepam iman roxal maati— leaves a lasting impression in the core of my heart."

The President also recalled the deeds of Gopinath Bordoloi during the Indian struggle for independence, the role of Srimanta Sankardev during the Bhakti movement etc.

Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said, "Lachit Borphukan was a great military leader. He will continue to remain a source of inspiration for all of us. His dedication, loyalty to duty and expertise will remain alive among us forever."

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "It's a historic day. We remember a general who prevented the Mughals from marching towards south-east Asia. It was the Saraighat Battle when an ailing Lachit Borphulan defeated the Mughals. He breathed his last on his way back to Upper Assam. We will erect a 150-foot-tall bronze statue at his Maidam in Jorhat. We will also set up a war memorial at the Maidam premises displaying the Ahom weapons. We will also set up the Alaboi war memorial at Dadora in memory of the 10,000 Ahom soldiers who laid down their lives in the Alaboi Battle.

"Since 1999, the National Defence Academy has been honouring the best cadre every year with a medal in the name Lachit Borphukan."

The President visited the Kamakhya Temple first and attended the function on the 400th year celebration of Lachit Borphukan at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. He will attend Tezpur University's convocation tomorrow, besides holding a review meeting of the wildlife preservation measures at the Kaziranga National Park. He will wind up his visit to the state on Sunday.

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