President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday laid the foundation of a 150-foot bronze statue of Bir Lachit Barphukan, a war museum, and other facilities to be built in his memorial in an area extended over 16.5 acres at Hollongapar, Jorhat in Assam.
"Express my heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble President for virtually laying foundations of Alaboi War Memorial at Dadara, Kamrup & 150-foot statue of Lachit Barphukan at his memorial at Hollongapar, Jorhat. This will go a long way in promulgating valour & patriotism of Bir Lachit," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.
The president, who is on a three-day visit to Assam, inaugurated the year-long 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Bir Lachit Barphukan in Guwahati.
"It's our privilege to have Hon'ble President Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji inaugurating the year-long celebration of 400th birth anniversary of Bir Lachit Barphukan. Hon'ble President's gracious presence also reaffirms towering stature of the valiant Ahom General across the nation," the Assam chief minister tweeted.
The war memorial ‘Alaboi Ranakshetra’ will be built to honour the valour of Bir Lachit Barphukan and his 10,000 troops martyred at Alaboi, Kamrup. The memorial campus of 25 acres will feature a 100-foot hengdang.
Speaking at the 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Bir Lachit Barphukan, the President said that it was because of the bravery of Barphukan and his soldiers that the Northeastern part of India never came under the Mughals.
"It is a historical coincidence that today the third anniversary of the National War Memorial built in the memory of the valiant warriors of India is being celebrated in Delhi and today we are all here, in Assam, to celebrate the 400th birth anniversary of Lasit Badphukan, the brave son of Mother India, have gathered," the President said.
The match-making of army-hero Barphukan and the bravery of his soldiers resulted in the fact that this part of India never came under the Mughals, the President added.
As a part of his visit to the Northeastern state, the President visited the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati and sought the blessings of Maa Kamakhya. He was accompanied by Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Earlier, the President was accorded a warm welcome by Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on his arrival at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport.
On Saturday, President Kovind will address the 19th convocation of Tezpur University, from where he will proceed to the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger reserve. The President will also inaugurate a photo and archival exhibition on conservation the same day, the sources added.
The President will leave for Delhi on Sunday.
