On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Good Governance Day was celebrated at the Atal Udyan premises in Adabari on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled a statue of Vajpayee at the Atal Udyan and inaugurated a special exhibition showcasing Vajpayee’s life and contributions. A drawing competition for students was also organized as part of the event, with notable enthusiasm from the younger generation.
In his address, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma paid tribute to Vajpayee and extended Christmas greetings. He urged state BJP workers to propagate Vajpayee’s ideals and philosophy among the people by circulating his writings.
The Chief Minister highlighted Vajpayee’s pivotal role in Assam’s development. Recalling Vajpayee’s support for the Assam movement against foreign intrusion, Dr. Sarma mentioned how Vajpayee visited the state and engaged with people from different regions.
During Vajpayee’s tenure, 10 percent of the national budget was allocated to the development of the Northeast. At that time, Assam’s state budget was only ₹2,500 crore, and Vajpayee facilitated a special central allocation for Assam when the state government struggled to provide the required funds for panchayat elections under the Congress regime. Additionally, the Ministry of DoNER, established during Vajpayee’s time, contributed significantly to Assam’s development.
Dr. Sarma remarked, “Modern Assam cannot be imagined without the thoughts and vision of leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He consistently worked to bring progress to troubled areas, transcending politics to focus on Assam’s development.”
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister declared 2025 as a year of new challenges for the state, starting with panchayat and municipal elections. He expressed optimism that the enrollment of 6 million new BJP members would strengthen the party in Assam.
Concluding the program, Dr. Sarma extended his best wishes for the New Year, saying, “Vajpayee’s ideals will always inspire us.”
