HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, April 1: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya said that Assam and Odisha share historical, cultural, and spiritual ties since ancient times and these relations are emboldened by mutual celebrations of the events like Odisha Day in Assam and Assam divas in Odisha respectively.
Speaking at the celebrations of Odisha foundation day at Shri Shri Madhavdev International auditorium here on Tuesday, the Governor said that Foundation day celebrations were important as they commemorate a state’s journey to full statehood highlighting its unique cultural heritage. He also said that the celebrations also foster national unity and pride and serve as a platform to showcase the state’s progress and aspirations and honour the sacrifices made by those who played crucial role in its history.
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He on the occasion, expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for enabling the states and union territories to celebrate the Statehood Days of others under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat initiative.
The Governor on the occasion said that during Buddhist era, monks traveling from one place to another helped establish connections between Assam and Odisha. He said that in the fifteenth century, Assam’s great saint Srimanta Sankardeva visited Puri and formed a deep spiritual connection with its culture.
Acharya moreover said that during the British rule, workers from Odisha came to Assam’s tea gardens for works, which led to a close bond between the people of both states. The legendary writer Lakshminath Bezbaruah also lived in Odisha and contributed immensely to literature and culture. His legacy can still be witnessed in Sambalpur, adding the Governor said that the bond between the two states can be used progressively to expedite the journey of Viksit Bharat. He on the occasion also paid rich tributes to those personalities whose contributions played a crucial role in the unity and progress of Odisha.
On this occasion, the Governor extended his heartfelt greetings to all the people of Odisha and the people belonging to Odia community residing in Assam. He said that the day is a testament to the rich cultural heritage, historical pride, and journey of development of Odisha. He on the occasion also hailed Odisha’s potential and development in different sectors especially in tourism.
The celebrations of the day also witnessed presentation of cultural performance showcasing the shared cultural heritage of Assam and Odisha.
