GUWAHATI: In a historic tribute to the legendary Ahom General Bir Lachit Barphukan, a monumental statue at the Bir Lachit Barphukan Park, Narangi Military Station, is set to be unveiled tomorrow in Guwahati.
The occassion will be graced by the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alongside Lt Gen RP Kalita, GOC-in-C Eastern Command, and a distinguished gathering of 500 combatants and NCC Cadets.
Highlighting the commitment to fostering collaboration and growth, an essential moment of the ceremony will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Assam Skill Development Mission and the Indian Army. This MoU signifies an era of enhanced cooperation and mutual support.
In 2022, commemorating the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan, the Assam government had unveiled plans to erect a 125-foot bronze monument in his honour at Hollongapar, Jorhat. This majestic statue, budgeted at Rs 120 crore, stands as a monumental tribute to the iconic General who thwarted Mughal attempts to seize the state. Alongside this, the state government had also presented a documentary chronicling the remarkable life and legacy of Lachit Barphukan.
Notably, Chief Minister Sarma, in July had shared the towering bronze statue is being meticulously sculpted by the renowned artist Ram Vanji Sutar at his studio in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Additionally, on September 20, Chief Minister Sarma disclosed that the first dispatch from the artist’s studio in Ghaziabad had been successfully dispatched, marking a significant milestone in the creation of this colossal tribute.
The Ahom dynasty’s reign over Assam, spanning an impressive 600 years from 1228 to 1826, ultimately came to an end through the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, ceding control to the British. This statue and the forthcoming monumental work serve as powerful reminders of the dynasty’s historical significance and the indomitable spirit of General Bir Lachit Barphukan.
