We must follow Bir Chilarai’s example of true patriotism and bravery: Assam CM

Taking part as the Chief Guest in the 507th Birth Anniversary celebration of Chilarai organised by Cultural Affairs Department at Bongaigaon, Chief Minister Sonowal reiterated the various measures like setting up of Chilarai Cultural Project, building two statues of Chilarai at Rakhaldubi and Golakganj, establishing Chilarai Information and Research Centre at Chepakhowa have been chalked up in the Budget which indicate the government’s commitment to preserve the glory of Bir Chilarai for posterity.

Stating that Chilarai was not only his elder brother King Nara Narayan's commander-in-chief who played crucial role in expanding the Koch Empire, Chief Minister Sonowal said that Chilarai was a visionary who envisaged an unified Assam and his gallantry and patriotism were unparallel.  
          
Quoting noted historian Arnold J. Toynbee who considered Chilarai as a famous warrior of the world, Sonowal said if Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhabdeva were not given patronage by Koch King Nara Narayan and his brother Chilarai, Assamese culture and literature would have been at a loss because only due to their Royal Patronage Sankardeva was able to establish the “Ek Saran Naam Dharma” in Assam and bring about his cultural renaissance.
          
Referring to the Chilarai’s ideals of protecting the environment and maintaining harmony among all sections of the society Chief Minister Sonowal said that the government is making all efforts for achieving inclusive growth of the state following the ideals of great Koch General.
     
Chief Minister Sonowal posthumously presented Bir Chilarai Award to martyr Balen Hazarika which was received by Hazarika’s wife Barnali Hazarkia.
          
Before that Chief Minister Sonowal also inaugurated a statue of Bir Chilarai at the All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) Head Quarters situated at Bhakribhita and laid the foundation stone of the Chilarai Socio-Cultural Research Centre. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a statue of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at Eco Development Park in Bongaigaon and formally inaugurated a Toy Train Project at the Park.
        

Minister for Cultural Affairs Naba Kumar Doley, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, BJP State President Ranjit Dass and several MLAs and other top officials of the state government were present on the occasion.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)