Guwahati: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who once served the nation as a sports minister in PM Narendra Modi’s Union cabinet, commented that sports have the power to unify the society and strengthen peace and harmony. Distributing financial assistances to 1000 sportspersons of the State, he also added that the young generation should take up sports as a way of life and strive to achieve excellence.
Gracing a program, organized by the sports & youth welfare department at Nehru Stadium in the city on Monday, the senior BJP leader opined that the youth must stay away from drugs and take care of their health by engaging in sports activities sincerely. He handed over cheques of rupees 50 thousand each to the sportspersons besides sports pensions to senior personalities in the function. He also inaugurated the renovation works of BP Chaliha swimming pool, newly constructed building of Assam Fencing Association in Nehru Stadium premises and virtually launched 200 playgrounds across the State.
In presence of Union minister Rameswar Teli, State sports authority chief Lakhya Konwar, Guwahati development minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya, CM’s legal adviser Shantanu Bharali with other dignitaries, Sonowal cited the example of young sprinter Hima Das who has achieved success in global sports competitions in a young age and recently she was appointed as a DSP in Assam Police. Earlier Sonowal honoured popular Assamese cultural personality Bishnu Kharghoria with Anandaram Dhekial Phukan Award. Sonowal in a glittering function, held recently in Nagaon, presented the award instituted in memory of a litterateur and linguist of repute in Assam.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal commented that it is really a matter of pride and prestige to honour an eminent actor like Kharghoria, who has enriched the Assamese cinema and theatres. In presence of Dhekial Phukan college’s principal SK Bhagawati, legislator Rupak Sharma, ATDC chairman Jayanta Mallabaruah, former Union minister Rajen Gohain and other dignitaries, Sonowal asserted that because of the attention of PM Modi the north-eastern region has been experiencing fast developments.
