Guwahati : Namami Barak Festival, the three day extravaganza to pay odes to river Barak’s life giving prosperity, came to a successful end on Monday with President of India Ram Nath Kovind termed the festival an epoch making one to bolster trade and commerce between Assam and other South East Asian Nations.
President Kovind drew the curtains of the three day mega event Namami Barak to a close held to showcased the Barak Valley’s potentiality and possibilities to emerge as hub of trade and commerce was concluded on Monday at the police parade ground at Silchar.
The festival was organized with an attempt to pay tribute to the river Barak and also to explore and promote socio economic development as a rich heritage surrounding the river.
President Kovind while speaking as the Chief Guest at the concluding day’s function said that he felt elated to be a part of Namami Barak.
He mentioned that before his arrival here at Barak Valley, he researched on the background of the name ‘Barak’ and as a result he came across the meaning in hindi as “bhagyashali” as it denotes its rich culture and the fertility of the land as the river flows throughout the valley.
“I consider myself to be fortunate to be present at a festival organised to pay obeisance to Barak which is a source of life, civilization and economy of Barak Valley,” President Kovind said.
He also pointed out to the fact that both the rivers Brahmaputra and Barak are the lifelines of the people of the State.
“Because of the valleys strategically placed geographical location Assam and entire Northeast will be connected to South East Asia through Act East Policy in terms of international trade and commerce and for this purpose the Union and the State Governments are working hand in hand to transform it into reality. The region will be instrumental in connecting India to the countries of the South East Asia and also referred to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to all the ten leaders of the ASEAN countries in his recent visit to Philippines during the ASEAN Meet to take part in the 2018 Republic Day function would also play a pivotal role in turning the fortune of State,” President Kovind said.
He also referred to the golden history of the Barak Valley and the martyrs who has sacrificed lives for the sake of the motherland.
The President said that Namami Brahmaputra organised in the month of April and Namami Barak would usher in overall development of the State.
He also said that Central Government with the help of the State are working in tandem for the development of Assam and the schemes implemented by the government have started paying dividends in the State.
Saying that the soil of Assam is very fertile, President Kovind said that the Bard of the Brahmaputra Dr. Bhupen Hazarika unified the entire state through his creations.
He also said that the proposed Cultural and Research Centre to be set up by the State Government after the name of Swami Vivekananda would enrich the unique culture and languages of the Barak Valley Region.
Earlier on the day the President lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the Closing Ceremony.
The President was also accompanied by the First Lady Savita Kovind.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal while addressing the gathering in the Closing Ceremony said that it was a great day for Assam to host the President of India and more so because of the festivities during the historic Namami Barak.
He said that through Namami Barak & Brahmaputra the State will get the desired focus on its various potentialities, possibilities and capabilities to emerge itself as an international gateway and hub of trade & Commerce.
The Assam CM also expressed his gratitude to the people of Barak for their cooperation and active participation for making Namami Barak a grand success.
He further said that the State Government has already send proposal to the Central Government to include Silchar in the list of Smart City in its second round.
Sonowal also declared the recommissioning of the defunct Paper Industry at Panchgram in presence of Babul Supriyo, Union Minister of state, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
The Assam CM ended his speech with the reiteration of the fact that the State Government is relentlessly working for the all round development of the Barak Valley Region.
Taking part as guest of honour Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi unveiled a coffee table book on Namami Barak and delivered his speech.
“Barak is the source of our culture, harmony, strength and inspiration. Considering the life-giving prosperity of the Barak, our Government has decided to celebrate Namami Barak Festival to showcase the river’s rejuvenating splashes on the culture and civilisation of Barak Valley. Barak is our nerve centre and an epitome of the emotional belongingness of the people of three districts namely Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi,” the Assam governor said.
“Though we are trapped in the belief that Barak begets flood and erosion, it is time to change our perception. River Barak if used judiciously can usher in growth and prosperity to this region. Barak has potential to revitalise trade and commerce with Bangladesh and Myanmar. Developing the river as a major channel for water transport will help improving trade with the neighbouring countries,” the Assam governor said.
Prof. Mukhi also said that Inspired by Prime Minister’s reiteration of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” the State Government has stressed the need of uniform development of Barak and Brahmaputra Valleys, hills and plains of Assam. This has resulted in perceptible feeling of harmony and unity amongst people belonging to various parts of the State.
“I must also share with you that the Border Trade Centre at Sutarkandi in Karimganj has occupied a core of our priority list as Central and State Governments are taking steps to upgrade its infrastructure to make it truly world class to promote trade between India and Bangladesh,” Mukhi said.
He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of North East has adopted the Act East Policy to turn around the geographical disadvantage of Assam and other North-Eastern states into a unique advantage and turning the Region as a bridge between 125 crore Indians and around 80 crore people of 10 South East Asian Nations.
Babul Supriyo, Union Minister of State, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises also delivered speeches during the Day.
Earlier in the day, while taking part in the concluding ceremony as distinguished guest Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister, Finance etc. Assam delivered his welcome speech and announced the setting up of another Medical and Dental College at the Region.
Other distinguished guest that were present in the concluding function were Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister, Transport etc., Assam; Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister, PWD, etc., Assam; Atul Bora, Minister Agriculture, etc., Assam; Keshab Mahanta, Minister, Water Resource,etc., Assam; Dilip Paul, Dy. Speaker, ALA; Radheshyam Biswas, MP, Karimganj; Hagrama Mohilary, Chief of BTC and Kabindra Purkayastha, Former Union Minister along with VK Pipersenia, Chief Secretary, Assam. The Function was also attended by all the MLAs of the Region.
At the end of the function the President Ramnath Kovind had flagged down the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Unity & Heritage Motorcycle Expedition as a part of 183rd Raising Day Celebration of the Assam Riffles.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
