Boxer Shiva Thapa felicitated by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma

Guwahati: Internationally acclaimed boxer Shiva Thapa recently called on State chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma at Janata Bhawan where he apprised about his recent success at ASBC Asian boxing championship with a silver medal in the 64 kg category. Congratulating the young boxer, Sarma handed over him a cheque worth rupees three lakh under the State sports policy.

Seasoned boxer Thapa (27) won his fifth successive medal at the recent Asian level championship in Dubai. Earlier, the spirited Assamese pugilist won gold in 2013, a bronze in 2015, a silver in 2017, another bronze in 2019 championship. In presence of State sports minister Bimal Bora, legislators Mrinal Saikia and Manab Deka, senior sports officials with others, Sarma offered best wishes for the sporting career and also assured all possible supports from the government in future.

Meanwhile, attending a review meeting of the State industry department, Sarma emphasized the perpetual thrust of various key areas like start-ups, ease of doing business, etc to provide a push to the State industrial landscape. Mentioning that the industry sector contributes to 39 per cent of total state GDP, he insisted on a broad roadmap to expedite the commercial cultivation of several valuable trees like Agar, Sandal, etc for a needful fillip to start up business ventures in Assam.

Taking into consideration of vast areas of cultivable land available in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, he stressed on massive plantation of other commercially viable plants too. With a comprehensive view on land areas for industrial uses, Sarma asked the concerned officials to prepare a plan for commercial use of those land lying vacant. He also advocated for streamlining the existing regulations and processes to lend vibrancy and competitiveness to the State industrial landscape.