Guwahati: The week-long celebrations for Ahom general Lachit Barphukan’s 400th birthday began on Friday as a number of uniformed men and women took part in a march past to honour the bravery and sacrifice he shown in repelling the Mughal forces.
The march past covered a distance of around 4 kilometres from the playground of the Khanapara Veterinary College in Guwahati to the state capital Dispur.
The chief minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the people of Assam on Thursday to light earthen lamps in their homes in honour of Lachit Diwas, which falls on November 24.
From November 23 to 25, the celebrations’ final stop will be in the country’s capital Vigyaan Bhawan.
The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the exhibition on November 23, Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, will be the principal guest on November 24 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform the closing ceremony on November 25, according to CM Sarma.
A book about Lachit Barphukan will be published and a video about the legendary warrior will also be shown at Vigyan Bhawan.
The Chief Minister further revealed that on November 23, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will launch a cultural event at Sunder Park.
He added that initiatives are being taken to preserve the revered memory of the soldier both inside and outside the state. According to him, there are plans to host Lachit Diwas programmes around the nation.
He declared that he would ask the Chief of the Army Staff to offer a memorial lecture, establish an award in honour of the legendary soldier and give it annually to the top cadet.
The Chief Minister further stated that he would ask the NCERT to add a chapter on the illustrious fighter.
The Chief Minister spoke extensively with the Ministers in charge of committees such as invitation and reception, accommodation, transportation, food, media and publicity, venue management and decoration, exhibition committee, cultural committee, seminar committee, open session committee, medical committee, the traditional portrayal of Ahom culture, etc. regarding various matters, exhorting the officials to leave no stone unturned for the smooth conduct of the event in Delhi.
To ensure that every Assamese invitee is looked after during their whole stay in Delhi, he requested that the Chief Secretary send extra personnel to Delhi. Both the airport and the railroad station will have help desks set up. To ensure a seamless function, a control room has also been built up at the Assam House.