December 2, 2020: The Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal urged the people of Assam to keep alive Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha’s principle and ideology of hard work and harmonious co-existence in a bid to build a stronger and more vibrant Assam.

The Chief Minister made this call at the Asom Divas celebration organized by the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Assam in association with Dibrugarh district administration at Dhemechi Higher Secondary School playground in Dibrugarh district today.

​On the occasion, CM Sonowal presented Siu -Ka-Pha award for this year to eminent writer Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi. The award carries a gamocha, chabkan, hendgdang, safura and a cheque of Rs. 3 lakh.

​Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sonowal said that Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha was an embodiment of hard work and indomitable spirit. The way he overcame the challenges during his journey from Yunnan province to Assam and established the great ahom kingdom exemplified his courage and vision which should be studied more extensively. It was not an easy task for the great ahom king to build a harmonious society in a land of myriad cultures, languages, customs and traditions, however Swargadeo Chaolung Siu-Ka-Pha made this possible with his visionary strategies and policy of assimilation, Sonowal said. He further observed that people of the world should be able to know about Siu-Ka-Pha’s life and works and urged the people to join their hands in the State government’s endeavors to make this a reality.

​Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Act East Policy has set the goal to transform Assam and the north east as an important destination for the South East Asian countries, the Chief Minister called upon the people to march ahead to realize this avowed goal by taking Siu-Ka-Pha’s ideals along. The Chief Minister observed that there was a need for further interaction between the people of the North Eastern region and the South East Asian countries and exchanging of information about their shared history.

​Highlighting the State government’s initiative to keep alive Siu-Ka-Pha’s ideals, Chief Minister Sonowal informed that steps are being taken for promoting the art and culture of all large and small communities besides observing the birth and death anniversaries of various legendary figures of these communities. He also said that steps were taken for setting up a ‘Swargadeo Samannay Khetra’ at Charaideo in memory of the 42 Ahom kings apart from installation of Siu-Ka-Pha’s statue at Janata Bhawan premises. He also said that while the State government has set up Siu-Ka-Pha chair at Dibrugarh University, the Central Government declared Sivasagar, known for its rich heritage of ahom era as an iconic site.

​The Chief Minister on the occasion also assured to take positive steps for introduction of ‘ethnic studies’ at the educational institutions of the State. He also lauded the contribution of Siu-Ka-Pha award recipient Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi for his role in developing better bonhomie among the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

​ ​The programme was also addressed by Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Naba Kumar Doley, Minister of State for Revenue and Disaster Management Jogen Mohan, MPs Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and Topon Kuman Gogoi and MLA from Moran LAC Chakradhar Gogoi. Secretary of Cultural Affairs department Madhurima Sen Baruah delivered the welcome address.

The Chief Minister along with the other dignitaries also released a souvenir titled ‘Dhemechi’ on the occasion which was attended by MLAs Prasanta Phukan, Kushal Dowari, Rituparna Baruah, Bimal Bora, Terosh Gowala and Nabanita Handique, CEM of Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Dipu Ranjan Makrari, Member Secretary of SLAC for Student and Youth Welfare Lakhya Konwar, President of Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha Dr. Dayananda Borgohain, DC Dibrugarh Pallab Gopal Jha among others.