August is a very eventful month in India for the obvious reason. Not only we celebrate our hard-fought won Independence from the British Raj but we also pledge to preserve this Independence in its true spirit, and commit ourselves to the service of our country. This August took it a step further. It was the 75th year of our Independence, and based on a clarion call by the Prime Minister, more than 20 crore tricolours flew in their pristine glory, fluttering but unflustered, a representation of this country at present. Assam, too, contributed its bit by hoisting 80 lakh flags in the nook and cranny of the State. This act will singularly reinforce patriotism and love for the country. Period.
In order to reinforce this spirit, the Assam Government has decided to facilitate the visit of at least 1,000 youth to the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Island. This will allow them to have a feel of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters in securing the freedom of this land. This will also reinforce in them the spirit of nationhood and importance of struggle in their personal lives.
It is this love for the country coupled with a crackdown on elements working against the interest of the country that India will feel safe and secure. The Assam Police has done a good job in busting jihadi cells operating in the State. These incidents call for vigilance of the citizens and continuous efficiency of the police. Any slip up on any front can be catastrophic for us. My Government is determined to uproot any vestige of terrorism in the State. I am personally keen to bring permanent peace to this land of ours. Having made several appeals to those seeking secession from India to join the mainstream, I must state as clearly as it requires that the sovereignty of the country is non-negotiable. I am a great believer in the power of dialogue to solve conflicting views. It is this view that is driving me to seek solutions to the border rows between Assam and its neighbours. I know that this will take time. Patience heals and so does time. If not today, the solution will be there tomorrow.
Ever since I assumed the responsibility of the Chief Minister of the State, my constant endeavour has been to uplift the education standard in the State. The Cabinet decision to introduce English as a medium of instruction for Science and Mathematics in over 4,000 High and Highers Secondary schools in the State is geared towards that. The people of Assam know that English is not only an important language but also a practical instrument to get employment opportunities while communicating with the rest of the world. Under no circumstances I will allow any language to eclipse my mother tongue. Yet, I am being pragmatic because I have realised that English language can provide a cutting edge to our students to realise their potential. Yes, many of our students and individuals have done well by completing their matriculation in Assamese medium and then going on to make it big in their respective careers. Allow me to state that expecting everyone to be on the same plank would be a mistake. For example, the IT sector which is emerging as the biggest employer globally is mostly run on instructions coded in the English language, whatever the reasons. Isn’t it an advantage if our boys and girls are one up on others on this? No where does the policy neglect the Assamese language. In a globalised world, passion must make way for reasoning. I want to assure everyone in Assam that my entire Cabinet is rooting for the growth of the Assamese language, but we cannot overlook the aspiration of our next generation and hold them hostage to our beliefs.
Our Government, ever since it assumed office, had pledged that it will create one lakh jobs in the Government sector alone. Having made quite a substantial progress on this in the last few months, we opened the door for nearly 30,000 Grade III & IV posts wherein more than 14 lakh individuals appeared to secure their prospects and serve the State in any capacity. These examinations were conducted with the utmost transparency and strictest discipline. I want to assure you all that we will bear no laxity in any form in selecting the right aspirants.
We are fully committed to bring this same fairness to our Orunodoi beneficiaries. Those who have been able to migrate to a higher economic status by dint of their hard work will no longer be able to partake of the benefits under the Scheme. They can opt-out voluntarily from the list of beneficiaries. At the same time, new beneficiaries will be added in the list based on an exhaustive household survey which has already begun across the State. It is incumbent on any Government to revisit welfare schemes to ensure that those who deserve are rightfully included.