GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that Assam has moved away from the violent agitations of the past and is now embracing constructive movements centered on promoting books, culture, and sports.
He highlighted the state’s recent progress, noting its growing recognition on global platforms, including being named among the top destinations by a renowned international publication.
Speaking at the National Youth Day programme organized by Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha (BJYM), Sarma said, “Since our government took over in 2021, we have been working relentlessly to make our state among the top in the country. To our delight, our state has found a place among top 52 global destinations for the year in a prestigious list by The New York Times.”
He also said, “We are building an Assam of hope and dreams, and I am confident that our youth will lead the state to greater global recognition.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that the earlier ‘andolans’ (agitations) involving strikes, picketing, and violence have been replaced by movements aimed at fostering books, culture, and sports in the state.
The Chief Minister also criticized those who had opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), stating that their concerns about large numbers of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants benefiting from the law have been proven baseless. “A section of intellectuals had claimed that lakhs of infiltrators will enter Assam. But the BJP had asserted with confidence that nothing such will happen and it has proven to be true… Our government is pushing back infiltrators almost daily at the international border, but these intellectuals are now not even uttering a word of support,” he said.
Sarma also urged the youth to be agents of positive change, drawing inspiration from Swami Vivekananda. “When I think of revival, the first image that comes to my mind is that of Swami Vivekananda. Assam, which was once plagued by instability, is today moving towards progress with the energy of his principles,” he added.
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