The month of June has been very cruel for people across most parts of the country. Sweltering heat, and water woes have taken a toll on them. One can sense that climate change and its repercussions are already here upon us, and to a greater degree than we initially thought. Whereas it is incumbent on individuals to take actions to not contribute to worsening climate change, it is very important for local and national governments to do all it can to tackle the menace, which without collective action, is never going to succeed. “Your inaction can be my failure” principle is at play when it comes to climate change. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shown remarkable sagacity when he publicly declared at a major world forum that Net Zero emission by 2070 is what his Bharat is aiming at. It takes the vision and action of one person to change the world as the great Bard of India, Rabindranath Tagore, so famously said.
Following this vision, our Government in Assam has also plunged itself fully in the fight against climate change. Small but significant measures are one of the ways of creating awareness around this phenomenon. In June, I was privileged to inaugurate the Janata Bhawan Solar Project to make the Assam Secretariat Complex the first ever green State Government headquarters anywhere in the country. My happiness is not in the achievement of becoming a first in something, but the vision with which our State Government is working and dedicating to people’s welfare. Without a doubt, we will save taxpayers’ money with this initiative and recover our investment, but what we have also done is send a signal to other State Governments and people that green energy is the way forward as they envision a better future for their progeny. Cutting down on carbon emission is much the duty of a citizen of the country as it is for industries and Governments.
We are also coming up in a big way with major solar power generation plants across the State so that in the years to come we become self-reliant in power generation, which is green and economical. If we all start generating solar power, which is much cheaper, our Government can start thinking of ways and means to cut down on electricity tariffs, which will benefit all sections of the society, especially those who are economically challenged. Circumstantial evidence points to household savings of 85% in electricity bills if we make use of solar power. This is my appeal to the people that their Government, both at the State and the Centre, is committed to support you should you come forward.
If we are committed to a better planet, and better future for humanity, it indirectly means we are supporting our next generation to take the lead in this. The State Government after assuming the responsibility of the State has dedicated itself with utmost vigour in this endeavour. Two prominent ways in which we have facilitated this has been through education and sports. Through consistent efforts, we have created an enabling environment in which youth can make themselves capable. Fee waiver in schools and colleges, material awards like laptops, bicycles and scooters have all been geared to ensure a hassle-free educational environment for students. Specifically, the Nijut Moina Scheme has been envisioned to ensure better enrolment ratio of girls which will have wider social ramification. We have improved educational infrastructure, both physical and academic. Selection process of teachers, their transfers have become free of controversies. The country can look at the way we have conducted our higher secondary examinations. I am aware of boards across Bharat using the example of the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council in moving forward. This was the same Board which used to be scorned at by critics a few years back, and today this is the Board which is hogging limelight across the country. Our Government has not interfered with the functioning of these bodies, what we have done is to facilitate the decision making process without interference. All this will result in a secure future of our children. Without much fanfare, we have entered into a broad understanding with reputed private coaching institutes, especially for medical and engineering education, to give our talented students an opportunity to have a crack at some of the toughest national examinations in the country. By now, you all are aware how our students are delivering on this front. This, I believe, is a wonderful example of public-private partnership where everybody is a winner
Following up on the success of Khel Maharan, we have decided to provide significant financial assistance to youth clubs or sporting associations in each of the 126 constituencies in the State so that sports continue to be a daily routine in the lives of people, especially the youth. We would like to assure you all that this will continue no matter what.
