Guwahati: Mohabahu Brahmaputra river heritage centre, dedicated to the spirit and legacy of the majestic river (also known as Luit or Burhaluit), was inaugurated by Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu during his first day to northeast Bharat visit on Sunday (October 3) in the presence of Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi and State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with others.
Mentionable is that the old Kamrup district magistrate’s bungalow atop a small hillock in the Panbazar locality of the city has been converted into the heritage centre. The British colonial forces annexed Assam following the Treaty of Yandabo with the defeated Burmese invaders in 1826. The post of deputy commissioner was created for Guwahati in 1839, where Captain James Matthie served as the first DC.
The bungalow on the southern bank of Brahmaputra has historical relevance as the hillock was used for placing cannons in the Battle of Saraighat (1671), where the native soldiers defeated the Mughal invaders under the leadership of great Ahom general Lachit Borphukan. It remained as the bungalow till 2011. Later, the government decided to convert it into a heritage museum.
It has on display the heritage of boats, an amphitheatre, exhibition spaces, a cafeteria, etc., where the other attractions include a collection of traditional fishing equipment, photographs & artifacts related to the history of Guwahati and river transport. The bungalow has installations depicting the textile designs, ethnic motifs and indigenous musical instruments.
Later, VP Naidu dedicated the region’s first PET-MRI wing at State cancer institute on the campus of Guwahati medical college hospital to the service of the people. Speaking on occasion, he stated the whole is passing through difficult times because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The disease emerges as a great challenge for the existing health system in over one way.
It may be mentioned that PET MRI, being an advanced facility, is available in a few institutions only in the country. The region with a high prevalence of cancer patients has the fourth such facility across Bharat. He commented that the pandemic has severely affected the patients suffering from serious ailments like cancer, kidney, heart, liver, etc.
Assam Governor Mukhi, in his speech, commented that the State government has been taking various steps in providing quality diagnostic and treatment facilities for critical diseases like cancer. The most modern technologies used for cancer detection are now being made available in the State. Another significant milestone has been achieved by the auspicious inauguration of PET MRI wing by the Vice-President of India, he added.
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