Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he conceives of an Assam which commands respect from all parts of the country and he being the Chief Minister is doing everything possible for Assam to become an empowered state which can have its influence in country’s polity, economy, culture, education and sports.
Talking at the inaugural session of ‘The Assam Tribune Dialogue and RG Baruah Memorial Awards-2024’ here in Guwahati, where he spoke on ‘Taking Assam forward: Dreams and Aspirations’, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that his government is working for a new Assam which can contribute to national development. He said, “A dependent state does not command respect. A state full of militancy, full of internal disturbances does not command respect. Therefore, I want to make Assam which is respected by all states in next 10 years from now”.
The Chief Minister said that at present Assam is recognised as a leader in category A in Centre’s ‘Start up India state ranking’. The government is also working for the state to make further inroads in different economic indicators of the country. He said that that considering the improved law and order, the state is now poised to become a power-house in the national landscape in the next 10 years.
However, expressing his concern over the purported attempts of the proscribed militant group of planting explosives in several areas of the state on 15th August, the Chief Minister appealed to the Chief of ULFA (I), not to indulge in any subversive activities. He said that any act of violence have the potential to dent the confidence of the youth and jeopardise the robust growth momentum of the state along with becoming dangerous to the lives and properties of the people of the state. He reiterated that all the differences can be addressed through discussion. He said that in democracy there can be differences and conflicts of ideas. However, using differences, nobody should indulge in any violence, which can derail the peace process and at the same time can slow down the progress of the state.
The Chief Minister also called upon the youth of the state to redirect their energy to education, to entrepreneurship and contribute to the growth of the state as well as the nation. He also reiterated on the need to protect and safeguard the cultural legacy of the state. He said that the people of the state need to be vocal about their culture, heritage and legacy to enable the country to know and respect about Assam.
The Chief Minister said that State government is working for setting up of three thousand MW of solar power. He also said that that his government is working in the areas of new and renewable energy sources. It is also working to create infrastructure and make its foot prints in the sectors like electric vehicles, aviation, aerospace technology, semiconductor etc. He also informed the house that Assam is one of the top performing states in India. The GSDP of Assam in 2023-24 was 13.9 per cent and the per capita income of the state also registered a growth and was 12.84 per cent. Moreover, the unemployment rate is decreased from 8 to 6.1 per cent as per the economic survey of 2023-24. From the job seekers, Assam is transforming itself in to job creators.
Moreover the Chief Minister expressing his deep appreciation to the Assam Tribune Group for its initiative of conferring the RG Memorial Awards, congratulated the awardees. He on the occasion also paid his tributes to social worker and the pioneer of the newspaper industry late Radha Govinda Baruah. In Assam’s sports and socio-cultural landscape, RG Baruah had left an indelible imprint, the Chief Minister added.
Dr. Sarma hailing the role of late RG Baruah said that he launched The Assam Tribune at a time when there were only a handful of local enterprises and literacy rate in Assam was significantly low. Further, even within a period of six years of its launch at Dibrugarh as a weekly, he shifted the newspaper house to Guwahati and converted it into a daily, which speaks volumes about late RG Baruah’s visionary outlook. The younger generation has much to learn from the life and ventures of the late R.G. Baruah, the Chief Minister reiterated.
Speaking on the rich history of newspaper in Assam, the Chief Minister said that the newspaper industry in Assam bears a long history and rich legacy. Over the years, newspapers in Assam have documented and shaped the evolution of Assamese history. Through a rich tapestry of articles and discussions, they have shaped the region’s literature, culture and art. Stating the publications like Orunodoi, Jonaki, Banhi, Abahan, Jayanti and Ramdhenu, the Chief Minister said that the publications have had profound impact on shaping the cultural and social fabric of the state.
The Assam Tribune has always carried forward the proud legacy of Assamese journalism. From its very beginning, it has voiced the concerns and interests of Assam. While focusing on the problems and hopes of the people, it has always maintained a broad national perspective. This approach has become a lasting tradition at The Assam Tribune, the Chief Minister added.
During the crucial phase of India’s freedom movement, The Assam Tribune played a key role in shaping public opinion. It supported Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi in opposing the Grouping Scheme of the British Cabinet Mission, which aimed to merge Assam with East Pakistan. The Assam Tribune also opposed the land policy of the Sadaullah government. The Chief Minister expressed his happiness for being able to speak about the legendary R.G. Baruah at the memorial award ceremony organized in the name of doyen. He also hailed The Assam Tribune for the ethical journalism that the newspaper has practiced over the years for the newspaper industry as a whole.
The inaugural ceremony was attended among others by Vice Chancellor Gauhati University Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Director The Assam Tribune Group of Publications Bobeeta Rajkhowa, the editor PG Baruah, executive editor PJ Baruah and host of other dignitaries.
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