Nirmala Sitharaman at the 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Assam’s great war hero Lachit Barfukan
Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : The three-day celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of legendary Ahom General Lachit Barfukan began in New Delhi on Wednesday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated an exhibition on the occasion at Vigyan Bhawan this morning. After inaugurating the exhibition, FM Seetharam said, “I am extremely impressed with the way Assam’s culture and its history has been carved and preserved. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today also said that Lachit Barfukan effectively led his army in the Saraighat War of 1671, thwarting the Mughal army’s attempt to capture Assam. His efforts inspired strengthening Indian naval power, reviving inland water transport and building naval strategy infrastructure. Lachit Bodfukan Gold Medal is awarded to the best cadet of the National Defence Academy by the Government of India.
The medal was instituted in 1999 for defence personnel to draw inspiration from Bodfukan’s valour and follow his sacrifice. Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma along with other dignitaries is present in New Delhi on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma said, “It is a great honour for Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to inaugurate the exhibition of Mahabir Lachit Barphukan on the 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahabir Lachit Barfukan with us. His presence on the occasion exemplifies his love for both Assam and the Northeast. To showcase its glory to a wider audience on the completion of 400 years of Lachit Borphukan, our government has taken steps with short and long term goals. Apart from the festival,we have brought out a book and prepared a documentary on the great general, said CM Sarma. Apart from the festival,we have brought out a book and prepared a documentary on the great general, said CM Sarma. CM Sarma also announced that a grand memorial is being built at Maidam in Lachit Barfukan in Jorhat district and a war memorial is being implemented at Alaboi near Guwahati. The Assam government has also planned to construct a memorial building in his honour at the National Police Academy, Hyderabad. With a multi-ethnic and inclusive approach, the Ahom Empire maintained its sovereignty for nearly 600 years. Sarma said had he not crushed the Mughal invasion, the cultural map of the entire Southeast Asia, including the Northeast today, would have been different. He also mentioned that Indian history has overlooked the glorious history of our heroes and the Ahom dynasty. Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju will be the chief guest at a cultural event this evening.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the closing ceremony on Friday.
The main objective of organising the 400th birth anniversary celebrations in the national capital is to sanitise the people of the country on the bravery and combat skills of Lachhit Barfukan. Lachit Barphukan was the famous general of the great Ahom army who defeated the Mughals and stopped Aurangzeb’s growing ambitions in the late 17th century. The Ahoms, who ruled Assam for over 600 years, have a record as one of the longest reigns in the world. Lachit Barphukan was seriously ill when the Ahoms faced the mighty Mughals at Saraighat in 1671. Despite his poor health, Lachit Barphukan led from the front as a true general and defeated the Mughals.
