Guwahati: Scholar, journalist, intellectual Pandit Deendayal Upadhaya emphasized on cultural nationalism, which is much more powerful than political nationalism, and drifting away from the colonial mentality prevalent during the British ruled period, he propounded a new thought.
Paying rich tributes to Deendayal Upadhaya on his birth anniversary on Saturday at a function organised at Assam BJP headquarter in the city, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commented that Deendayal-ji had enormous contributions towards the intellectual enrichment of Bhartiya Jansangh, Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh and also the BJP.
In 1951, when Dr Shayama Prasad Mukherjee floated the idea of launching Bhartiya Jansangh, Deendayal-ji was one of the prominent persons whom RSS sent to Jansangh. Under his leadership, Bhartiya Jansangh secured 35 seats in the Lok Sabha elections where Deendayal-ji was instrumental in forging a strong opposition against the Congress.
CM Sarma stated that Deendayal-ji always believed that a system should be in place which can bring smile to even the weakest. Most of the schemes and programs of PM Narendra Modi led government in New Delhi bear the reflection of the philosophy propounded by Deendayal-ji.
Assam government though its Orunodoi scheme has tried to empower the economically insolvent families of the State following the teachings of Deendayal-ji, added Sarma.
Earlier in a different occasion, Sarma reiterated his push for a greener future and reduced carbon emission, while requested Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri to allow the Assam refineries to go ahead with 20 per cent ethanol blending in those plants. Putting forward his requests Sarma said that if the refineries are allowed to do the ethanol blending, the proposition becomes cost effective and the State will be able to meet its own demand of green fuel from its own yard.
He also requested Puri for his ministry’s supports in the capacity enhancement of Digboi Oil Refinery which has the distinction of being the first refinery in Asia and one of the oldest refineries in operation. Moreover, urges for expanding the base of gas cracker project in Assam as well as the petroleum ministry’s support for exploration of energy sources in the State were also placed.
Puri in his comment opined that the north-eastern region is now one of the most promising regions of the country in terms of economic potentials. To fulfil the government’s commitment to make Indian economy UDS 5 trillion, the region has to contribute substantially. He assured Sarma that his ministry would do the needful for capacity enhancement of Digboi refinery and also help the region in tapping the hydrocarbon resources to catalyse its growth.
