CM presents Silpi-Sainik Brajath Sharma Memorial award

From A Correspondent

Barpeta, Sept 12: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal presented Silpi-Sainik Brajath Sharma Memorial Award, 2017 to eminent music director of Assamese mobile theatre Dasharath Das in a programme held at Borgar Jurram Pathak HS & MP School playground at Sarbhog in Barpeta district on Tuesday. The award carries an anga bastra, xarai, citation and a cheque of Rs. one lakh. The award ceremony was organized by the Cultural Affairs Department in association with Barpeta District Administration.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said, " Silpi-Sainik Brajath Sharma had a multi-faceted persolity. He was not only an actor, dramatist or a freedom fighter. He was an artist par-excellence and an inspiration to the generations of people across the state. The youth of the State must emulate his ideals and commit themselves to strengthen the socio-cultural edifice of the State so that Assam can shine in the global are overcoming all challenges of 21st century. This will also be a fitting tribute to this legendary persolity".

Underlining the importance of ingraining the youth of the State with scientific temperament and positive attitude, Chief Minister Sonowal stated that knowledge of science & technology is a prerequisite to make Assam as one of the best states of the country. "If we have to show our best, it is possible only through hard work and dedication. Brajath Sharma judiciously used his time and devoted himself in the field of art & culture. He also actively took part in the freedom struggle. He is an inspiration for all of us and we must emulate his ideals to rekindle the sense of tiolism amongst us", Sonowal said.

Further saying that Assam is endowed with tremendous potentiality and its potency lies in strengthening the rural economy, the Chief Minister urged the people to work for increasing the productivity of agriculture fields. Sonowal also said that the State government takes up an ambitious plan to make Guwahati as the gateway to the entire south east Asia and not just limiting it as the gateway to north-east alone. He said that Assam is the corridor through which the tion can capture the markets of the ASEAN tions. "Our purpose is to provide a congenial environment for the meritorious and talented youth of the state a platform to utilize their knowledge and skill to build a new Assam. Our Government is executing State Capital Region thereby expanding the radius of Guwahati city by 50 kilometers. We are going to build up World Trade Centres in Guwahati providing space for foreign consulates, big business houses to operate their business from here with the south-east Asia".

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi who said 'cleanliness is next to Godliness', the Chief Minister said Prime Minister rendra Modi launched Swacch Bharat Mission with the goal to cleanse our hearts and not just the environment because when our thoughts and deeds are clean, the society will also eventually be clean. "Today Swacch Bharat has become a part of our everyday life and people are spontaneously taking part in this movement", Sonowal said with a call to the people to put their best efforts to make the cities, towns, villages and their localities neat & clean.

The Chief Minister also made a fervent call to the people to strengthen Govt.'s hands in the fight against all divisive forces which are trying to disrupt peace and harmony in the state. Saying that "united we stand and divided we fall", Sonowal called upon the people to take a pledge to remain tolerant, honest, cautious and restraint and thereby strengthening harmony. He also highlighted the rich heritage of Barpeta district in the cultural, literary and religious mosaic of the state and urged the people of the district to take lead in taking the state forward.

The Chief Minister also released a souvenir alongwith Cultural Affairs Minister ba Kumar Doley on the occasion.

Cultural Affairs Minister ba Kumar Doley, local MLA and former Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Ranjit Dass and awardee Dasharath Das also spoke on the occasion. Director, Cultural Affairs Deba Prasad Mishra delivered the welcome speech. Prior to the award ceremony, Chief Minister Sonowal laid the foundation stone of Silpi-Sainik Brajath Sharma Statue and memorial Auditorium to be set up at the office campus of Borgar ex-Sainik Santha of Uttar Gakgari village of Sarbhog in Barpeta district.