Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal receives ‘Dr. SP Mukherjee Award for Politics’

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was presented the prestigious ‘Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Award-2020 for Politics’ at the sixth India Ideas Conclave being held at Tent City Narmada in Gujarat on Friday.

This award, instituted by the India Foundation, was presented to Chief Minister Sonowal by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Speaker of People’s Majlis of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, which carries a citation, a specially designed trophy and a cheque worth Rs one lakh.

While receiving the award, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the award is an inspiration to work for national integration and to take Dr SP Mukherjee’s vision and philosophy forward. He also dedicated the award to the people of Assam, who have been the source of inspiration and guidance during his public life.

Chief Minister Sonowal said that Dr SP Mukherjee was a true son of Mother India, a true nationalist and patriot. His principles and thoughts were beyond any personal ambition. He always thought for India, lived for India and finally died for India. He further said that Dr Mukherjee established the ‘Bharatiya Jana Sangh’ with the objective of an alternative politics, ideology and an alternative thinking that continues to inspire and guide policies and thinking.

Underlining Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah’s historic step to strengthen national integration by abrogating Article 370 and 35 (A) of the Constitution, Chief Minister Sonowal said that this has completed the incomplete work of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to unify the country. Further, this monumental initiative has not only fulfilled the dream of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee of ‘Ek Nishan Ek Pradhan Ek Samvidhan’ but also registered a resounding statement towards realizing the vision of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, CM Sonowal observed.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first PM of the nation who discovered the potential and possibilities of the North East, Chief Minister Sonowal said that since taking over charge he has made sincere efforts to expedite growth in the region. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision has always been inclusive development and to build ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. He said that the Prime Minister termed the North East as the “New Growth Engine of New India” and Astalakshmi of the country and made a strategy shift to the development process in the North East.

Chief Minister Sonowal also stated that the Prime Minister, giving a major boost to economic development in the North East, has sanctioned more that Rs. 47,000 crore in the petroleum sector apart from boosting cultural and commercial linkages with the ASEAN countries through his path-breaking Act East Policy. He also lauded the PM for glorifying the Assamese culture during the recent visit of US President Donald Trump wherein Bihu was performed. He also said PM Modi gave distinct identity to the Assamese ‘Gamosa’ and also honoured legendary singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika by bestowing the highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna upon him.

CM Sonowal also highlighted the deep rooted connection that exists between Assam and Gujarat. He said that the essence of ‘Bharat Bhumi’ lies in ‘Unity in Diversity’ wherein East to West and North to South are united historically, culturally, philosophically with the aim of unification of India. He said that according to mythology, Lord Krishna married Rukmini, princess of Kundil kingdom in Assam and Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika married Priyambada Patel whose family hailed from Gujarat, stated a release.

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