The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Assam): The Vice-President of India, in a recent ceremony in Guwahati, graciously acknowledged the honor of conferring Assam’s top civilian awards – Assam Baibhav, Assam Saurav, and Assam Gaurav. Despite a busy parliamentary session, the Vice-President expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this significant event.
Emphasizing the importance of these awards, the Vice-President noted that they represent more than individual achievements; they are a celebration of Assam’s rich cultural diversity and its people’s contributions to the nation’s progress. The variety and depth of the awardees’ backgrounds were highlighted as a testament to their deserved recognition.
Assam, known as the ‘Gateway to the Northeast’, boasts a rich tapestry of landscapes and cultures, and a history that reflects the unity and resilience of its people. The Vice-President lauded the state’s cultural mosaic, evident in its festivals, music, and dance, as a vibrant example of India’s unity in diversity.
The ‘Act East’ policy, initiated in 2014, has been instrumental in integrating the northeastern region into the national fabric, as seen in the significant events hosted there during India’s G20 presidency. These developments, according to the Vice-President, will have a lasting positive impact on the region.
This year, the prestigious Assam Baibhav award was conferred upon former Chief Justice of India, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, for his exceptional contributions in the field of Law & Justice. The Vice-President recalled Justice Gogoi’s insightful maiden address in the Rajya Sabha, reflecting on the constitutional doctrine of the basic structure.
In sports, Hima Das, a young athlete, was honored with the Assam Saurav award for her remarkable achievements in athletics and her inspiring journey from Assam’s fields to international fame.
The Vice-President also emphasized the significance of economic nationalism and the need for India to focus on local production and value addition. He stressed the importance of optimally using and conserving natural resources, aligning with the country’s 5000-year-old cultural heritage that teaches stewardship and responsibility.
Concluding his speech, the Vice-President expressed confidence that these awards would inspire other states and underscored the importance of credibility in such recognitions. Each recipient, he noted, thoroughly deserved the honor, symbolizing a shift towards a more transparent and meritorious system of awarding national honors.
The ceremony not only celebrated individual excellence but also reinforced the collective spirit of Assam and its role in the nation’s journey towards development and unity.
