Assam CM launches mobile app on Ahom general

HT Bureau

GUWAHATI, Oct 26: Correlating with the upcoming 400^th birth anniversary of Ahom army general Lachit Barphukan on November 24, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday launched a mobile application/portal titled lachitbarphukan.assam.gov.in at an official ceremony held at Janata Bhawan.

The mobile application/portal has been designed so as to provide a platform to the general public residing in Assam and beyond, including foreign countries, to pay their richest tributes to the great Ahom army general on his 400^th birth anniversary in the form of write-ups and essays.

Open for use by the public from Wednesday itself, the mobile application will be available for use in both Android and iOS operated phones.

Speaking at the event, the chief minister stated that the aim of the portal is to ensure the 400^th birth anniversary celebration of Lachit Barphukan, whom he termed one of the ablest sons of Mother Assam, witnesses the participation of majority of the population in Assam and beyond and that the ideals of patriotism, love for the motherland, as was displayed by the Ahom army general, are imbibed and practiced by the participants.

Elaborating on the plan, the chief minister said a mass movement will be built up around the upcoming birth anniversary celebration and the people from all walks of life would be encouraged to express their opinion/pay their tributes and respect to Mahavir Lachit Barphukan.

The chief minister further declared that on November 18, all schools, colleges and universities of the state will hold essay competitions with Lachit Barphukan as the subject among the students within their respective educational institutions.

Best writings will be awarded at district and state level after subsequent selections, the chief minister added. Moreover, from November 18, district administrations will organise week-long cultural, sporting and other events such as speeches by eminent personalities on 600 years of glorious Ahom rule, among others.

The chief minister also spoke about the preparations for the two-day celebration of the 400^th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan in Delhi, the national capital, starting November 23. The state government is all set to release a book and a documentary on the life and works of the great general in the programme.

He further added that on November 24, the day of conclusion of the year-long tribute to Lachit Barphukan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah are likely to grace the central celebration at the national capital with their presence.

It is worth mentioning that a year-long celebration of Lachit Barphukan’s 400^th birth anniversary was formally launched by the then President of India, Ram Nath Kovind on February 23 this year.