Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya called for greater opportunities for young people in education, skill development, agriculture, tourism and entrepreneurship at a foundation day celebration in Guwahati on October 31.
Speaking at an event organized by Lok Bhavan Assam at the Srimanta Sankardev International Auditorium, Acharya said development must reach every section of society while preserving the state’s cultural heritage.
The event marked the foundation days of Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Delhi. Acharya extended greetings to their people and said their cultural traditions, history and socio-economic contributions had enriched India’s identity.
Paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, the governor recalled his role in integrating princely states after Independence. He said Patel’s ideals continued to inspire mutual trust, national consciousness and a shared sense of purpose.
Acharya said the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offered people a platform to understand one another’s languages, literature, art, culture and traditions. Greater respect for diversity strengthened national integration, he said.
Referring to Assam’s cultural heritage, he highlighted its Vaishnavite traditions, satras and namghars, tea gardens and the Brahmaputra. He said harmony, cooperation and peaceful coexistence among communities were central to the state’s strength.
The governor said Assam and the Northeast had an important role in the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Improved connectivity, modern infrastructure, advances in education and healthcare, and investment and employment opportunities were strengthening the region’s development potential, he said.
He stressed that development must go beyond economic growth to ensure dignity, equal opportunities, greater participation by women and young people, social harmony, and protection of cultural and natural heritage. He urged citizens to contribute to national development while preserving India’s unity and diversity.
Those present included water resources minister Susanta Borgohain, additional chief secretary B. Kalyan Chakravarthy, Lok Bhavan Secretariat advisor Harbansh Dixit, commissioner and secretary to the governor SS Meenakshi Sundaram, former principal chief conservator of forests Rajendra P Agarwalla and IIT Guwahati assistant professor John Thomas.