Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 29 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday offered floral tributes to the martyrs of the Assam Agitation at the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Guwahati, describing the memorial as a "symbol of the blazing flame of patriotism" displayed by those who made the supreme sacrifice.
https://x.com/AmitShah/status/2005619773565247615?s=20
In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, "The Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Guwahati is the symbol of the blazing flame of patriotism of the people who made the supreme sacrifice during the Assam movement. The memorial will inspire generations to live for the nation. Today, offer floral tributes to those great souls."
Earlier today, Amit Shah inaugurated the 'Srimanta Sankardeva Abirbhav Kshetra' at Batadrava in Nagaon district in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The project has been developed to transform Batadrava Than, the sacred birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, into a world-class cultural and tourism hub.
The State Government has implemented the 'Srimanta Sankardeva Abirbhav Kshetra' project over 165 bighas of land at an estimated cost of around Rs. 227 crore conceptualized in the form of a tree, drawing inspiration from the life and philosophy of Srimanta Sankardeva, the project features a 25-metre-high Guru Asana inspired by 'Sapta Baikuntha' at its centre, an art centre inspired by traditional cymbals, a khol-shaped research centre, a boat-shaped skill development centre, a theatre modelled on the traditional japi, and an ornate gateway depicting the Dashavatar and traditional mask art.
Other features include a yoga garden, a Krishna Leela mural, Majuli-style huts commemorating the 'Manikanchan Sanjog', and a modern laser show showcasing the rich legacy of Sankari culture.
The various components combine traditional aesthetics with contemporary infrastructure, lending the project a distinctive character.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the occasion as an extremely sacred day for the Assamese people.
Recalling that the foundation stone of the project was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on February 25, 2021, he said that the land of the Abirbhav Kshetra was earlier under the occupation of outsiders.
"Acting on the mandate of the people, the State Government evicted such occupants from the Batadrava Than land, enabling the development of the Abirbhav Kshetra as one of the country's important spiritual centres," he said.
The Chief Minister stated that the site would serve as a platform for discourse on the life, work and philosophy of Srimanta Sankardeva, Madhavdeva and other Vaishnavite gurus, and would help lay a strong foundation for Assamese identity. He informed that no entry fee would be charged for visitors and emphasized that the collective resolve to preserve and sustain the Assamese community must emanate from Batadrava Than.
Observing that the Assamese community is facing a crisis, CM Sarma said it is surrounded by certain sections who do not understand the life and philosophy of Sankardeva and Madhavdeva.
Describing the two saints as the founders of Assam's national life, he said they would live among the people as long as the sun and the moon endure. He added that while the present government has ushered in a wave of development in Assam, such development would be meaningless if the identity and existence of the Assamese people are not protected simultaneously.
"Only when development and protection of identity progress together can the Assamese people establish themselves as a great community on the world stage," the Chief Minister said.
Keeping this objective in view, he said, the government has worked relentlessly over the past decade and has freed more than 1.45 lakh bighas of land from encroachment, including satra land, forest areas and VGR-PGR land.
Stating that much work remains to be done, he appealed to the people not to sell land to outsiders and not to employ them. With such a resolve, he said, the Assamese people would transform into an unstoppable force within a decade.
The Chief Minister further stated that the Srimanta Sankardeva Abirbhav Kshetra is not merely a symbol of spirituality but also a symbol of Assamese self-respect.
He said the Kshetra would instill courage, strength and the will to survive among the Assamese people. He also appealed to outsiders occupying satra and forest land to vacate such land voluntarily at the earliest, asserting that the government would not spare any encroacher.
Describing it as a major achievement for the government, the Chief Minister said it was a moment of fulfillment that the project, whose foundation stone was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was also inaugurated by him.
Completing the Abirbhav Kshetra as envisioned by the people, he said, was a rare achievement for former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and himself.
Nagaon-Batadrava MLA Rupak Sharma delivered the welcome address at the programme.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Satradhikar of Norowa Satra and President of the Batadrava Than Management Committee, Amlanjyoti Dev Goswami, also addressed the gathering.
Among those present were Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, Assam Minister for Cultural Affairs Bimal Bora, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Water Resources Pijush Hazarika, Minister for Barak Valley Development Kaushik Rai, Lok Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLAs Jitu Goswami, Diplu Ranjan Sharma, Ramakanta Deuri and Shashikanta Das, Chief Executive Member of the Tiwa Autonomous Council Jiban Chandra Konwar, Satradhikar of Sologuri Satra Jogendra Narayan Dev Mahanta, along with several other Satradhikars and a large number of devotees.