Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal led a vibrant celebration of Assam Day at his official residence here today, paying rich tributes to Chaolung Sukapha, the founder of the Ahom kingdom and the architect of Greater Assam. Sonowal offered floral tribute before Sukapha’s portrait and reflected on his extraordinary legacy.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “It is a moment of great pride to participate in this special celebration dedicated to Chaolung Sukapha, the revered forefather of the greater Assamese community. The steps he initiated in the early 13th century to unite the indigenous people of Assam laid the foundation for a society rooted in peace and harmony. The entire Assamese nation will remain forever indebted to him.”

Sonowal added that Assam Day in the national capital carries a special significance: “The objective is to showcase Assam’s rich cultural identity, heritage, and glorious history before the people of India.”

Sonowal emphasised that Sukapha’s leadership was based on compassion, justice, and unity. “Chaolung Sukapha crossed the Patkai hills to establish the foundation of Greater Assam. He realized that without winning the hearts of people through integration, goodwill, trust, and empathy, holistic development and prosperity are impossible. Though diverse in language, culture, and tradition across regions, he built unity through the power of harmony and ensured equal opportunity and rights for all,” Sonowal said.

Highlighting Sukapha’s relevance in modern nation-building, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “History teaches us that when leadership is strong, truthful, and trustworthy, rapid progress of a country becomes inevitable. It was on the path laid by Sukapha that Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built a governance model inspired by the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ Through good governance and inclusive development, the Prime Minister has strengthened the foundation of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’”

Sarbananda Sonowal recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Assam, the state officially celebrated Assam Day for the first time on December 2, 2016, at Charaideo in memory of Sukapha. “With the support of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Charaideo Maidam—associated with the great Ahom kings—has received UNESCO World Heritage recognition, bringing pride and joy to the people of Assam,” Sonowal said.

The Union Minister said that the global recognition would continue to remind future generations of the power of unity. “Just as Sukapha built a united, developed, and self-reliant Assam by respecting every community and culture, we too must move forward together with the same spirit.”

The ceremony also featured remarks from Jiten Hazarika, Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University; Prof. Rajib Sandikoi of Gauhati University; and Dr. Omji Upadhyay, Member Secretary, ICHR Delhi, who highlighted the significance of Assam Day and Sukapha’s role in nation-building.

At the conclusion of the program, Sonowal interacted with students from Assam and the Northeast studying in Delhi.

The event was attended by Union Ministers of State PabitraMargherita and Shantanu Thakur, MPs Dilip Saikia, RameswarTeli, Ranjit Dutta, Birendra Prasad Baishya, Jayanta Basumatary, Kripanath Mallah, Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Parimal Suklabaidya, Pradan Baruah, and Amar SinghTichu, along with former Chief Secretary of Assam Jishnu Baruah, and several distinguished guests.

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PN

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