Guwahati: Union home minister Amit Shah attended the Pran Pratistha Mahotsav of Maha Mritunjay temple in Barhampur locality of central Assam on 25 February 2021 marking the opening of Asia’s biggest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as the destroyer among the Hindu trinity besides Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu.
Shah along with State chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and finance, health, education etc minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries also inaugurated the preservation and beautification of Batadrava (Bardowa) holy place, the birthplace of fifteen-century socio-cultural reformer Mohapurus Shrimanta Shankardev, in Nagaon locality.
Both Shankardev and Madhabdev launched the neo-Vaishnavite movement five hundred years back and reshaped society. Shankardev is credited with creating a new form of music tilted Borgeet, dance titled Sattriya, theatre titled Ankia Naat, etc and both the legends spread the neo- Vaishnavite movement (Ek Sharan Naam Dharma) across eastern India. Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras), founded by Shankardev and his disciples across the State, continue to sustain the legacy.
Later addressing a huge public rally for unity, peace and development at Dengaon locality of Karbi Anglong, Shah promised to make Assam free from flood, violence and infiltration within the next five years. He hoped that the electorates would bring the BJP led government back to power in Dispur as the legislative assembly poll-dates are expected to be declared within this month.
Shah also asserted that peace is a prerequisite for development and progress. He commented that both the governments in New Delhi and Dispur are dedicated to bringing all militants to the negotiation table. The minister claimed, because of the relentless government efforts, over one thousand armed rebels who remained active in Karbi Anglong hills district surrendered their arms very recently. He cited the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Union government and Sonowal led State government have brought sustainable peace to the north-eastern region. Under the present government, the hill districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao are rapidly progressing after shunning the path of violence by most of the militants.
Referring to the implementation of various schemes in Karbi Anglong, Shah mentioned about setting up of Diphu Medical College and plan for building a cancer hospital there. He assured that a law college and a model degree college would be established in the hills district very soon as a mark of goodwill to the people. Conferring of Bharat Ratna posthumously on Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Padma Bhushan on veteran Congress leader Tarun Gogoi were acknowledged as indicators of the Centre’s sincerity in fulfilling its commitments towards the region. He assured that the commitment of both the governments towards the region would continue in future as well.
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