Guwahati, Nov 24 (HS): Chief Minister Sarbanandna Sonowal said that the Battle of Saraighat fought in 1671 between the Mughal Empire led by Raja Ramsingh I and the Ahom Kingdom led by none other than Lachit Borphukan on the river Brahmaputra at Saraighat and the subsequent victory by the Ahoms led the foundation of Assam\u2019s supremacy in the larger contour of the country.<\/div>\n

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Leading the state in paying rich tributes to the Ahom general Vir Lachit Borphukan on his birth anniversary at a programme held at Kachomari Ghat along the Brahmaputra in Fancy Bazar area today, Chief Minister Sonowal said that valour of Lachit Borphukan and his spirited resistance that kept the Mughal Empire away to win Assam and its territory, is a glittering example of the rich legacy of Assam and its people. He also said that the unflappable\u00a0 heroics of Vir Lachit and his patriotism which even did not spare his own maternal uncle to be complacent and negligent in duty towards motherland, needs to be emulated especially by young generation to revive the past sheen of the state. He also said that following the footsteps of Vir Lachit Borphukan, Assam can be transformed into a state second to none.<\/div>\n

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Chief Minister Sonowal also said that in Assam where people belonging to Barak and Brahmaputra valleys and hills and plains have been living in peace and harmony for ages and where people take allegiance to the patriot like Vir Lachit, the future and existence of the state can never be at stake. On the occasion of Vir Lachit Divas, Sonowal called upon the people of Assam to take a pledge to build a mother land of the dream of Lachit Borphukan. Referring to the heroics of Vir Lachit, Sonowal also said that acknowledging the gallantry of the Ahom general, a gold medal in the name of Vir Lachit was introduced at the National Defence Academy for the best cadet of the Academy which indeed a testament of the national recognition of the valour, sacrifice and patriotism of the general.<\/div>\n

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Chief Minister Sonowal also said, \u201cIn this age of competition where \u2018hard-labour\u2019 has no alternative, we need to work hard emulating the footsteps of Vir Lachit Borphukan to re-establish our supremacy\u201d. He also said under the new dispensation, Assam has been marching ahead in all fields. Be it agriculture, horticulture, pisciculture, sericulture, Assam is on its way to re-establish its supremacy, as he called upon the youth of the state to work hard and be an example in the world. In the changed order of the world where everything is moved by the sheer competition, dedication, devotion and diligence, one should follow the life of vir Lachit as he was an embodiment of all these virtues. Citing an example of the present success stories of Agriculture Department of the state, Sonowal said that the produce of the state are being sold in the markets of London, Dubai, Hongkong and the consumers there are receiving the products with open heart. He, therefore, asked other departments to follow suit to contribute to the growth of the state.<\/div>\n

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Chief Minister Sonowal also witnessed a shot skit produced by Anup Jyoti Chowdhury which enacted the Saraighat Battle on the occasion. Sonowal also presented awards to the winners who participated in the art competition as a part of the programme which was organised by the Cultural Affairs Department.<\/div>\n

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Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Cultural Affairs\u00a0 Minister Naba Kumar Doley. Member of Parliament Queen Oja also spoke on the occasion. Commissioner and Secretary Cultural Affairs Department Preetom Saikia, Director of the department Bshnu Kamal Bora, Chairman ATDC Jayanta Mallah Baruah and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.<\/div>\n

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Earlier Chief Minister Sonowal attended another Lachit Divas programme organised by a voluntary organisation \u2018Raised\u2019 at Lachit Borphukan Park in Jalukbari. Synchronsing with the programme, Sonowal also inaugurated a blood donation camp where several members of the organisation and outsiders donated blood.\u00a0 Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika, President of Raised Phanindra Sarma, former MP Bijaya Chakraborty and others were\u00a0 present on the occasion.<\/div>\n

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