November was a very eventful month for the entire State. Policy issues and action on policies previously put in place were visible at the ground signalling effective governance and a will of the Government to work for the benefit of the most vulnerable, and deprived.
When the Government decided that land pattas would be given to tea estate workers who have been giving their blood and sweat to drive the Assamese identity for centuries, it merely acknowledged this fact. We cannot claim after decades that we are doing them a favour. A person, his forefathers having given their all to the State, is today an individual with nothing to call his own. Is not this injustice? And surprisingly, none of the previous Governments even thought of it? By any yardstick, this is a people-centric decision which has rightfully offered dignity to the most hard-working people of the State. From now on, they will have a sense of ownership of not only the piece of land they own, but also the tea garden or organisation they work for. At a time, when the tea industry is beset with multiple problems, I think this act of ours will go a long way in motivating these human resources to give their best to revive and reclaim the pride that Assam Tea and its estates are all about. Over 3 million people across the length and breadth of Assam are now smiling and thanking the progressive policies of the Government.
Whereas the Government of the day is trying to bestow people with land pattas, it is also unrelenting in uprooting encroachers. I am astounded at the irony of the scenario that is unfolding. On the one hand, we have had a situation where 30 lakh people were landless for ages despite contributing their best to the State, while on the other, we have few thousands who were simply sitting on Government lands, lands belonging to the sattras and exercising political influence, heft and indulging in activities inimical to the interest of the State. Ever since this NDA-Government of ours came to power in Dispur, we were clear in our vision that Government land must be freed of encroachers and pattas must be given to the indigenous and those belong to the State in reality. Today wherever I go and interact with people, they confide in me their happiness at the outcome of our drive against encroachment. Enough is enough is what we started with and we are happy that despite oppositions from vested interests, we have not compromised on our mission.
This is not the only push back that we are indulging in. In fact, our drive against polygamy, and its resultant outcome has resulted in the Assam Assembly passing a historic bill against the practice. This was never meant to be directed against a specific community as many would like to believe, but is against a practice that has no place in modern day society. This is a far reaching bill which we will implement to ensure that our sisters, who are hard done by because of the practice, are able to secure justice and a future free of oppression. Despite this, if someone is still trapped in an illegal marriage, the stringent law will ensure that she gets compensation and is able to chart a future for herself.
I visited London last month to bring back a cultural treasure of Assam, albeit for a few years under a loan arrangement with one of the most iconic museums of the world, the British Museum. The sentimental piece is not merely a piece of cloth, but a treasure that has history depicted on it. This is Assam’s pride and a sacred weave that has captured the imagination of the world. This will be akin to our ancestors returning home. We will be housing it in a new museum in Guwahati to give an opportunity to people to renew their bond with Vaishnavite history.
The month started on a very positive note for us when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Ji took time out to inaugurate the Guwahati Riverfront, and to dedicate to the people projects worth several hundred crores. The importance of her visit is not only in the amount to be infused in the development of the State’s economy but over and above, the trust that the Centre has on Assam, and its dedication to the North East.
This month we observed the death anniversary of our Bard Bhupen Hazarika across the State with people from all walks of life joining in, a perfect tribute that Bhupen Da himself would have endorsed. He was always a people’s artiste. His creation epitomising humaneness stood out for the indomitable will that a human being possesses. He gave Assam its voice and the humanity its song. It is so hard to believe how one individual can represent all that humanity stands for.
