The Aryavarth Express
Nagaon (Assam): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the Batadrava Cultural Project in Assam’s Nagaon district and paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi, saying that without his efforts, Assam and the entire Northeast might not have remained a part of India.
Speaking at the redeveloped Batadrava Than—the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva—Shah said, “Today, I want to remember Bharat Ratna Gopinath ji. Had he not been there, Assam and the entire Northeast would not have been part of India. It was Gopinath Bordoloi who compelled Jawaharlal Nehru to ensure that Assam remained with India.”
Highlighting the spiritual and cultural importance of Batadrava Than, Shah described it as a symbol of unity and harmony in Assamese society. “This is not merely a place of worship, but a living example of Assamese unity. People from all communities come here to carry forward the ‘nav-vaishnav dharma’ propagated by Srimanta Sankardeva,” he said.
The Batadrava Cultural Project, undertaken by the Assam government, seeks to develop the sacred site into a world-class spiritual and cultural tourism destination. Spread across 162 bighas of land freed from encroachments, the project has been developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 217 crore.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the project would play a key role in preserving and showcasing Assam’s rich cultural heritage while promoting the teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva, the revered Vaishnav saint, reformer, and cultural icon of the state. He said the initiative blends traditional Assamese architectural elements with modern infrastructure to create a comprehensive cultural and spiritual complex.
Key features of the project include the world’s tallest Guru Asana, guest houses inspired by Sattriya culture, an art centre shaped like a traditional cymbal, a research centre modelled on a khol (traditional drum), a skill development centre designed in the form of a boat, and a theatre inspired by the traditional Assamese japi.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sarma welcomed Amit Shah at Batadrava and said the Home Minister was greeted with a gamusa, a replica of Mukha masks, and a portrait of the sacred Guru Asana.
The Batadrava Cultural Project is expected to give a major boost to spiritual tourism in Assam while standing as a lasting tribute to Srimanta Sankardeva’s message of devotion, equality, and social harmony.
