CM Sarbananda Sonowal unveils statue of Swami Vivekananda at Barpeta

A CORRESPONDENT

BARPETA: Swami Vivekananda gave this world the essence of Indian social system and ethos of Hindu culture. He appreciated the spirit of Indian philosophy and showed the humanity the right path to progress. Inspired by this great soul, we need to go forward to forge a society based on service of mankind. These were the observations of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal while inaugurating the life-size bronze statue of Swami Vivekanada at Barpeta on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal said that Swami Vivekananda helped to build a society based on the tenets of humanity. He said that concerted efforts need to be taken to popularize the youth icon Swami Vivekanada among the younger generation and let them know Swamiji's ideology on Hindu philosophy. If this can be done the mental and intellectual faculty young generation can be placed on a high pedestal of morality and humanity. Sonowal also said that Swami Vivekananda gave everything to the society following which the young generation could inculcate in them the virtues of morality.

Chief Minister Sonowal, while referring to the Prime Minister, said that Narendra Modi took all initiatives to transform India into a world leader based on the principles of Swami Vivekananda. Citing Vivekananda's epoch-making Chicago speech at the Parliament of World Religion, Sonowal said that the Chicago speech put India on a high pedestal before the world.

Speaking on Swamiji's vision for development of all sections of the people, especially the weaker sections, Sonowal said that buoyed by Swamiji's philosophy, Prime Minister Modi enabled his government to take steps for the empowerment of women. Moved by Prime Minister Modi, the State Government had also taken several steps for empowerment of women. He said that the statue of Vivekananda unveiled at Barpeta would help the people of all sections, especially the youngsters, to move forward in the right spirit of humanity. He said that the State Government undertook a journey of harmony taking all sections of the people on board. In this context, Sonowal gave a brief snapshot of all the schemes and programmes taken by the Central and State governments together.

Chief Minister Sonowal said that the development of the Northeast received a new dimension when Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. This new dimension received a new fillip by the Modi-led BJP government at the Centre which discovered the hidden potential of the North East and announced and implemented a series of programmes. He said that during tenure of the present dispensation, the co-existence of all sections of the people had been made more harmonious along with minimizing the gap between Barak and Brahmaputra valleys. He moreover, said that taking a giant stride towards Atmanirbhar Assam, the present State government took powerful steps for the equal development of all the districts of the State.

Union Minister of State (Ind) for DoNER, Dr. Jitendra Singh, while speaking on the occasion, said that the Sarbananda Sonowal-led government in the State had changed the image of the State, which was now known for its powerful role for national development. He said that because of the steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the social and economic empowerment narrative that had been unleashed had now become a national discourse.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman of Housefed, Ranjeet Kumar Dass said that Swami Vivekananda preached the message of self-reliance. "Swamiji taught how a spirited and empowered society can be forged based on Indian values," he said. Speaking on the New Education Policy, Dass said that Prime Minister Modi made the education policy based on the teachings of Swamiji.

Eminent social worker Shankar Das and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Later, Chief Minister Sonowal took stock of the construction work of a flyover being constructed using fund from the DoNER Ministry over the railway line in Barpeta.

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