Gogoi chronicles Assam's 'turround' story

New Delhi, May 14: ‘Turround - Leading Assam from the Front’, an autobiography of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was formally released by MP Dr. Karan Singh at a glittering function here this evening.

“Published by HarperCollins India, the autobiography traces the story of how Chief Minister Gogoi’s innovative and grounded style of governce helped bring about the change from dark days towards dawn vis-a-vis towards the path of development. As a record of Assam politics (2001-2016) at its transformative best, it documents a trailblazing career and a State abuzz with the excitement of a makeover,” a press release said.

Releasing the book, Dr. Karan Singh said it has been an astounding achievement for Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to be at the helm of affairs for three consecutive terms and for steering the State through difficult times. “For being the Chief Minister during the most difficult times with insurgency and various forces at work and for bringing about a turround in the situation, his place in the history is assured,” he said.

In a conversation with senior jourlist Shekhar Gupta, Chief Minister Gogoi said when he took over the reins of power in May 2001, Assam was passing through difficult times. “Insurgency was at its peak with militants calling the shots. Development came to a standstill. With empty coffers, Government employees were not paid salaries for months together. But things have changed since then. The number of killings by militants has come down as several outfits were brought to the negotiating table. Economic growth accompanied the new stability. And the rest is history.”

Gogoi further said that the biggest achievement of his Government has been changing the mindset of the youth. “Today the youth of Assam are shining outside the State. They are feeling confident like never before. Assam’s future is bright and the State is well poised to become one of the leading States of the country.

“When the history of Assam is penned, my three terms will show up both positives as well as negatives. But I will leave history to judge these years. I, as a son of the soil, am only content and grateful that I could take centre stage in the turround story,” he added.

The autobiography with a foreword by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is priced at Rs 599 and is available online and in leading book stalls.