Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 10 expressed the gratitude of the state’s 3.5 crore people to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that his leadership had fundamentally altered Assam’s development trajectory and strengthened its role in India’s growth story.
In a detailed letter shared publicly ahead of Modi becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Sarma said the relationship between Assam and the Centre had undergone a profound change during the Prime Minister’s tenure. According to him, Modi’s leadership had helped shift Assam from being a dependent state to becoming a contributor to India’s economic progress.
Sarma said that despite a strong sense of national pride, many people in Assam had for decades felt disconnected from the country’s mainstream. He noted that the perception of the Northeast changed considerably under Modi, with the region moving from the margins to the centre of national attention.
Referring to Modi’s description of the Northeast as the “Ashtalakshmi” and his vision of the region emerging as the “New Engine of Growth” for the country, the Chief Minister said these ideas inspired confidence among millions and reshaped the narrative surrounding the region.
Highlighting the Prime Minister’s engagement with Assam, Sarma pointed out that Modi had visited the state 36 times during his tenure, more than any of his predecessors. He said these visits consistently conveyed the message that Assam and its people held an important place in the country’s future.
The Chief Minister recalled several moments that, according to him, resonated deeply with the people of the state, including Modi’s appreciation of the Assamese phulam gamosa, his interactions with tea garden workers and his participation in cultural events featuring Bihu, Bagurumba and Jhumur performances.
Sarma also credited the Prime Minister with promoting Assam’s heritage on national and international platforms. He cited the inscription of the Charaideo Moidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the recognition of Assamese as a Classical Language and initiatives aimed at commemorating the legacy of Lachit Barphukan.
On the development front, the Chief Minister referred to major projects implemented during Modi’s tenure, including the expansion of Numaligarh Refinery Limited, the establishment of the Assam Bio-Refinery, the ₹27,000-crore Tata semiconductor facility at Jagiroad and the new terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.
He also highlighted improvements in connectivity through projects such as the Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge, the Jorhat-Majuli Bridge, the proposed Brahmaputra tunnel, the Guwahati Ring Road and the Kaziranga elevated corridor.
According to Sarma, the Centre’s efforts to advance peace through various accords and sustained engagement had also contributed to creating greater confidence among the youth of the region. He further pointed to developments in healthcare and education, including the establishment of AIIMS Guwahati and investments in digital infrastructure, higher education and skill development.
Concluding his message, Sarma said that beyond infrastructure and development initiatives, the people of Assam would remember Modi for giving the state “visibility, confidence and dignity” and for strengthening its sense of belonging within India.
Wishing the Prime Minister good health and strength, the Chief Minister said Modi’s tenure had transformed the way Assam viewed itself and its place in the country, adding that the people of the state regarded his journey with admiration, affection and gratitude.
