Gohpur, November 8, 2025: Marking a historic milestone in Assam’s higher education landscape, Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, laid the foundation stone and performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University at Bholaguri Tea Estate, Gohpur.
Spread across 731 bighas and to be built at an estimated cost of ₹415 crore, the university is envisioned as a centre of international technological excellence, focusing on Industry 4.0 disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Quantum Computing, Robotics, and Smart Technologies.
The ceremony took place on the historic soil of Gohpur, home to Assam’s freedom icons Kanaklata Barua and Jyotiprasad Agarwala. In a symbolic gesture, the Bhoomi Pujan incorporated sacred soil from every village of Assam, collected during the #AmritKalashYatra, representing unity and collective aspiration.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Sitharaman lauded Assam’s commitment to advancing education and innovation, while Chief Minister Sarma called the project “a defining step towards transforming Assam into an educational hub.”
Named after Assam’s youngest martyr, Swahid Kanaklata Barua, the university aims to empower youth with future-ready skills, promote global academic collaborations, and contribute to India’s technological growth.
The foundation of this university marks not only a tribute to the state’s rich legacy but also a bold stride toward equipping Assam’s youth to lead in the era of digital transformation.
