Siu-Ka-Pha Award presented to noted writer Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged the people of Assam to keep alive Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha's principle and ideology of hard work and harmonious co-existence in a bid to build a stronger and more vibrant Assam. The Chief Minister gave this call at the 'Asom Divas' celebration organized by the Cultural Affairs Department in association with the Dibrugarh district administration at Dhemechi Higher Secondary School playground in Dibrugarh district on Wednesday.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal presented the 'Siu -Ka-Pha Award' for this year to eminent writer Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi.

The award carries a gamocha, chabkan, hendgdang, safura and a cheque of Rs 3 lakh.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sonowal said that Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha was an embodiment of hard work and indomitable spirit. The way he overcame the challenges during his journey from the Yunnan province to Assam and established the great Ahom kingdom exemplified his courage and vision which should be studied more extensively. It was not an easy task for the great Ahom king to build a harmonious society in a land of myriad cultures, languages, customs and traditions. However, Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha made this possible with his visionary strategies and policy of assimilation, said Sonowal.

Stating that the people of the world should be able to know about Siu-Ka-Pha's life and works, the Chief Minister urged the people to join their hands in the State government's endeavours to make this a reality.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the 'Act East Policy' has set the goal to transform Assam and the North East as an important destination for the South East Asian countries, the Chief Minister called upon the people to march ahead to realize this avowed goal with Siu-Ka-Pha's ideals.

The Chief Minister observed that there was a need for further interaction between the people of the north-eastern region and the South East Asian countries and exchanging of information about their shared history.

Highlighting the State government's initiative to keep alive Siu-Ka-Pha's ideals, Chief Minister Sonowal informed that steps are being taken for promoting the art and culture of all the communities besides observing the birth and death anniversaries of various legendary figures of each community residing in the State.

He added that steps were taken for setting up a 'Swargadeo Samannay Khetra' at Charaideo in the memory of the 42 Ahom kings apart from the installation of Siu-Ka-Pha's statue at the premises of Janata Bhawan. He also said that while the State government has set up the Siu-Ka-Pha Chair in Dibrugarh University, the Central Government declared Sivasagar, known for its rich heritage of Ahom era, as an iconic site.

The Chief Minister also assured to take positive steps for introduction of 'ethnic studies' at the educational institutions of the State. He also lauded the contribution of Siu-Ka-Pha award recipient Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi for his role in developing better bonhomie among the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

While renowned Tai scholar Pushpa Gogoi delivered the keynote speech, Siu-Ka-Pha awardee Yeshe Dorjee Thangchi also shared his experience on the occasion, stated a release.

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