GUWAHATI, Dec 10 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today offered bhoomi puja to mark the beginning of construction of the Swahid Smarak and the Swahid Udyan in memory of the martyrs of the Assam Agitation at Paschim Boragaon here. The project would be developed in an area measuring more than 98 bighas of land.
Later, he also took part in the state-level Swahid Divas programme organised by the Assam Accord Implementation Department on its office premises at Khanapara and released the first volume of the four-part Tathyakosh (data book) on Assam Agitation. The Chief Minister also offered tributes to the martyrs on the occasion.
Speaking at the programme, Sonowal stated that the Swahid Smarak and the Swahid Udyan would preserve the legacy of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Assam�s cause and inspire the State�s future generations.
�If we are to showcase our identity and heritage, we must preserve our history. The state government�s initiative to build the Swahid Smarak will highlight the valour and commitment of the Assam Agitation martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the protection of Assamese identity,� he asserted.
Saying that it takes a lot of courage and limitless love for one�s land to become a martyr, Sonowal stated that martyrs are the real jatiyanayaks (national heroes) of the State.
�For that reason, the present state government decided to give Rs 5 lakh to each of the martyr families of Assam Agitation as a token of honour and appreciation for their sacrifice. The ideals of the martyrs must be taken as guiding principles for shaping the future society so that identity of the Assamese race is never threatened,� he added.
Highlighting the success of the present state government in delivering on its promise of a corruption-free, pollution-free, terrorism-free and illegal foreigners-free Assam, Sonowal said all-round development of the State has been achieved in the recent years while fostering closer ties among all sections of people in the State.
The Chief Minister urged the young generation of the State to imbibe the ideals of martyrs and dedicate themselves for the prosperity of the State by obtaining knowledge and skills through education and make Assam �Aatmanirbhar� in all aspects.
The Chief Minister also stated that the state government has been endeavouring to preserve the legacy of the Assam Agitation martyrs and for that reason, steps such as erecting Swahid Smarak and publishing a Tathyakosh on Assam Agitation have been taken.
