Guwahati, May 22 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee played a vital role in strengthening the morale of the Assamese people during the turbulent years leading up to the country’s Independence and firmly opposed the grouping plan that had created uncertainty over the Northeastern state’s future.

While inaugurating a flyover in Guwahati after the name of Mookerjee, the Chief Minister paid rich tributes to the nationalist leader, describing him as a “true well-wisher of Assam” whose contributions during a critical phase of the state’s political history would always be remembered with gratitude.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Sarma said, “Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s political life was marked by ideals, patriotism, moral courage and unwavering commitment to national interest. At the most critical phase of Assam’s political journey, he stood firmly with the Assamese people and provided moral courage to Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi.”

The Chief Minister recalled that during the politically volatile years of 1940-41, Assam witnessed growing anxiety following the Pakistan Resolution adopted by the Assam Provincial Muslim League.

According to CM Sarma, Mookerjee visited Assam during that sensitive period and urged the people not to lose hope.

He said Mookerjee’s speeches and political interventions strengthened public confidence and inspired Assamese leaders to continue their resistance against the grouping plan during the Partition era.

Highlighting Mookerjee’s role in the educational and cultural sphere, the Chief Minister added that both Ashutosh Mukherjee and Syama Prasad Mookerjee had made significant contributions towards promoting Assamese language and higher education.

He said that Ashutosh Mukherjee had encouraged the study of Assamese literature under the University of Calcutta and supported scholars from Assam at a time when efforts were being made to preserve and institutionalise Assamese literary heritage.

The Chief Minister also noted that under Mookerjee’s initiative, Assamese medium education up to the matriculation level received major encouragement, while educational institutions such as J.B. College also secured recognition under the University of Calcutta.

“Syama Prasad Mookerjee recognised Assam’s distinct cultural and intellectual identity. He believed Assam possessed immense academic potential in disciplines like language, anthropology, geology, botany and forestry and supported the demand for a separate university for Assam.”

According to Chief Minister Sarma, Syama Prasad Mookerjee envisioned Assam as a future centre for advanced academic research and strongly believed in preserving and promoting Assamese language and culture.

The newly inaugurated flyover, constructed from the Cycle Factory junction on the Guwahati-Garbhanga Road to Lalganesh, has been completed in 26 months against the stipulated timeline of 30 months at a cost of Rs 376 crore.

The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in Guwahati’s south-western corridor and ease vehicular movement along the busy highway connecting Arya Nagar to the Lakhra section of National Highway-27.

–IANS

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