Guwahati, May 13: Beginning his second consecutive term as Chief Minister of Assam with a symbolic tribute to one of the state's most revered leaders, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday visited the memorial of Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi at Silpukhuri in Guwahati for his first official engagement after taking oath.
 |
| Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Pays Tribute to Gopinath Bordoloi. (Image: X/CMOfficeAssam) |
During the visit, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes to the statue of Gopinath Bordoloi and lit the ceremonial lamp at the memorial, honouring the life and legacy of the legendary freedom fighter and Assam's first Chief Minister. Senior government officials and dignitaries were present during the programme.
Officials described the visit as the first official event undertaken by Sarma after he was sworn in for a second term as Chief Minister on Tuesday, following the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance's emphatic victory in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections.
Paying homage to the leader fondly remembered as "Lokpriya," Sarma reaffirmed his government's commitment to safeguarding Assam's interests while accelerating the state's journey towards development and prosperity. He said the ideals and vision of Gopinath Bordoloi would continue to inspire his administration in working for the welfare of the people and strengthening the state's security, economy, and social harmony.
Invoking Bordoloi's enduring legacy, the Chief Minister dedicated the beginning of his new tenure to the vision of building a "New Assam." He emphasised that the government's focus would remain on inclusive development, good governance, infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and preserving Assam's unique cultural identity while taking the state to greater heights of progress.
Gopinath Bordoloi occupies a special place in Assam's history for his pivotal role in India's freedom movement and his efforts to protect the interests of Assam during the crucial years before and after Independence. Widely regarded as the architect of modern Assam, Bordoloi played a decisive role in ensuring that the state remained an integral part of India during the Partition era. In recognition of his immense contribution to the nation, he was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
ALSO READ: 20 Chief Ministers, 18 Deputy CMs Attend Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Swearing-In Ceremony in Assam
Sarma's visit to the memorial came a day after the BJP-led NDA government officially assumed office for a fresh term in Assam. The swearing-in ceremony, held in Guwahati, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers, Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states, and other senior political leaders.
The Chief Minister's decision to begin his new term by paying tribute to Gopinath Bordoloi was seen as a symbolic reaffirmation of his government's commitment to upholding the ideals of one of Assam's greatest leaders while carrying forward the vision of a stronger, more prosperous, and progressive state.
