Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming India's longest-serving PM, crediting him with reshaping the state's development and national identity. Sarma highlighted Modi's focus on the Northeast and Assam's cultural and economic progress under his leadership.
The letter underscores the political significance of Prime Minister Modi's tenure and his administration's focus on regional development, particularly in the Northeast, highlighting how these efforts are perceived to have reshaped state identities and economic prospects.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma conveyed greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister, presenting him with a letter detailing the transformation of Assam and the Northeast region under his leadership.
Sarma described Modi's tenure as a period that reshaped Assam's relationship with the central government, accelerating its development and shifting its perception from a dependent state to a contributor to India's growth. He noted that the region, often feeling distant from the national mainstream, was brought to the center of national priorities, with Modi's vision of the Northeast as 'Ashtalakshmi' and the 'New Engine' of India's growth instilling confidence.
The Chief Minister highlighted Modi's personal connection with Assam, citing his 36 visits and consistent promotion of Assamese identity, including the use of the traditional phulam gamocha. He also recalled moments of Modi's humility and his efforts to give national and global visibility to Assam's cultural heritage, such as the Bihu performance and the recognition of the Bagurumba dance.
Milestones such as the inscription of Charaideo Moidam as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the conferment of Classical Language status on Assamese, and the unveiling of a statue for Ahom general Lachit Barphukan were mentioned. Economically, Sarma pointed to investments like the Numaligarh Refinery expansion and a Tata semiconductor facility, alongside significant infrastructure improvements including new airport terminals and bridges.
Sarma concluded that these developments were seen by the people of Assam not just as policy achievements but as evidence of leadership that recognized and invested in their aspirations, fundamentally altering the state's development trajectory.