Guwahati, August 15: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday outlined his vision for a peaceful, self-reliant and opportunity-driven Assam, focusing on development, social reform, economic empowerment and inclusive growth in his Independence Day address at Khanapara in Guwahati.
Sarma said Assam was no longer merely learning from other states but was developing its own model based on peace, infrastructure, industry, investment, reforms and technology. He said the government aimed to create an Assam where young people could pursue their ambitions within the state and people from across the world would come in search of opportunities.
Highlighting Assam’s economic growth, the Chief Minister said the state’s economy had nearly tripled in less than a decade, giving the government greater capacity to invest in transformative infrastructure and development. He pointed to the emergence of advanced industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, and major connectivity projects such as the Baihata Chariali–Tezpur four-lane highway.
Sarma also highlighted recent government initiatives, including increased MLA Area Development funds, plans for a satellite city near Guwahati airport and the modernisation of the Assam Police’s emergency 112 service with round-the-clock vehicles.
On women’s protection, he announced a proposed measure under which 20 per cent of the salary of a government employee who abandons his first wife without a legal divorce and enters into an informal marriage with another woman would be deposited directly into the first wife’s bank account upon her application.
He said the government was also proposing legislation to extend similar protection to women abandoned by private-sector employees.
Sarma reiterated the need to continue the campaign against child marriage, saying the practice deprived children of their childhood, education and opportunities.
Recalling Swargadeo Chao Lung Sukapha’s contribution to Assam’s history, Sarma said his arrival in the Brahmaputra Valley began a lasting journey of integration, coexistence and unity that shaped Assamese society. He noted that Assam would approach 800 years since Sukapha’s arrival in 2028.
The Chief Minister also praised Assam’s sportspersons, citing Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and badminton player Asmita Chaliha as examples of the state’s young talent succeeding on global platforms when provided with the right opportunities.
Sarma said the government’s vision extended beyond physical development to ensuring dignity for citizens, opportunities for young people, economic strength for women, connectivity for villages and hope for families.
He also emphasised patriotism as an inseparable part of Indian civilisation and called for continued efforts to strengthen Assam’s development, social harmony and unity while ensuring that the benefits of progress reached every section of society.
