President inaugurates year long celebrations of 400th birth anniversary of Bir Lachit Barphukan

Feb. 25: President of India Ram Nath Kovind today inaugurated the year long celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of Bir Lachit Barphukan at a function held at Sankardev Kalakshetra here today. He also laid the foundation stones for Alaboi War Memorial to be built at Pochuria in Kamrup district and beautification and repair work of Lachit Barphukan Maidam in Jorhat virtually in presence of Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Speaking on the occasion, President Ram Nath Kovind highlighted the valiant life and sacrifice of Bir Lachit Barphukan and paid him rich tributes. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the battle of Alaboi and the battle of Saraighat were two glittering episodes of Ahom history which exemplify
the might and valour of the Ahoms. While Alaboi was the brightest example of patriotism of the Assamese people, Saraighat battle was an enduring tale of the supreme sacrifice and power of the Assamese. The leading figure behind these everlasting tales was the ever valiant Assamese General Lachit Borphukan, Dr. Sarma added.

Recollecting the supreme sacrifice of the patriots of Assam, Dr. Sarma said that the fact that 10,000 brave Assamese soldiers martyred their life to protect the sovereignty of their motherland in the battle that took place at Alaboi hillock in 1669 speaks volume of their sense of dedication and martyrdom. In order to project the patriotism of the soldiers of Alaboi battle before the world, government has decided to build a war memorial embellishing the unparallel dedication and sense of duty of the Assamese soldiers. A colossal structure of the iconic Ahom ‘Heng Dang’ to a height of 30 meters would also be installed. A museum with exhibit galleries, audio-visual gallery, temporary exhibit gallery, memorial gallery etc. will also be set up. The exhibits will offer visitors and tourists a glimpse of the Ahom culture, the Chief Minister added.

Hon'ble President Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji laid the foundation of a 150-foot bronze statue of Bir Lachit Barphukan, a war museum among other facilities to be built at his memorial in an area extended by over 16.5 acres at Hollongapar, Jorhat.

The 3-D model of the project: pic.twitter.com/rOjyMqzboK

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 25, 2022

Dr. Sarma also said that on the other hand a grand memorial will be built at Hollongapar in Jorhat just at the site of Ahom General Lachit Borphukan’s maidam. This memorial complex will be developed over 50 bighas of land with auditorium, guest houses, museum and refreshment hall among others. A sacred pond located in the vicinity of the maidam will also be developed aesthetically. A monumental 150 feet-tall bronze statue of Lachit Borphukan will be placed on a high pedestal. An open-air amphitheatre for hosting a light-and-sound show and a large space for ceremonial functions will also be developed in the memorial complex. Apart from this, the complex will also house a research centre for the study of Assamese culture. There will also have a library which will remain open to visitors of the Museum and Memorial Complex, the Chief Minister exhorted.

Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi also spoke on the occasion. Minister Panchayat and Rural Development Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Handloom and Textile Minister U.G. Brahma along with other Cabinet Ministers of the State and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.