by Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today inaugurated the Basanti Temple Cultural Project and Rangmancha at Bar Azara in Nalbari district on the sideline of the 85th Basanti Puja celebrations by the committee in Nalbari. The Chief Minister on the occasion also prayed for the welfare of all sections of the people of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that the relationship between devotees and the supreme power leads to strengthening of spiritual consciousness which in turn directs one to work towards welfare and wellbeing of the society.
The Chief Minister further stressed on the need for individuals to strive towards development of their birth-place so that the state is able to witness all-round growth encompassing all sections of the society. Stressing on the importance of spiritual thoughts, he further added that Sanatan Dharma and culture teach one to embrace liberal views and ideas which help any individual to work towards achievement of social enrichment. Stressing on the importance of the newer generations for attaining knowledge on Sanatan Dharma, he said this knowledge would help in strengthening the foundations for a value- based society embedded with compassion and empathies for fellow beings.
The Chief Minister urged everyone to ensure that spirituality goes hand-in-hand with a strong work-culture, which according to him would lead to civilizational and cultural growth. Emphasising that work culture is the "backbone of a community", the Chief Minister stated that a community not deeply rooted lacks longevity in the wake of the myriad of challenges that the humanity is exposed to. Dr. Sarma also spoke about the government's initiatives such as direct- buying of food grains from cultivators which again would lead to empowerment of the farmers. He also appealed to the youths to engage in agricultural and allied activities, so as to help the government achieve the aim of a "self-sufficient Assam". He also said that State government has taken a number of initiatives to ensure that there are no bottlenecks in procurement of food grains from cultivators by Food Corporation of India. He at the same time hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for issuing direction to the food grain procurement agencies to take special interest in procurement of food grains from the state.
The Chief Minister today also attended Basanti Puja that was celebrated at the residence of Nalbari Member of Legislative Assembly Jayanta Malla Baruah and offered prayers for the welfare of the residents of the state. The Chief Minister during his Nalbari visit was accompanied by Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, MLA Rangia Bhabesh Kalita, Cheif Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang, CEM, Bodoland Territorial Council Pramod Boro, Assam Pradesh BJP General Secretary (Organization) Phanindra Nath Sarma, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Assam region's senior leader Dr. Umesh Chandra Chakraborty, among others.