Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the Central Government's persistent efforts to change the Northeast's educational landscape, pointing out that since 2014, the region's education sector has received investments of about Rs 21,000 crore. After laying the foundation stone for Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University in Bholaguri in Gohpur today, the Union Finance Minister made this statement.
Speaking to the crowd, Sitharaman stated that Gohpur has a particular place in the hearts of the Assamese people since it is the birthplace of the courageous independence warrior Swahid Kanaklata Barua, who gave her life at the tender age of 17 to defend the honor of the national flag.
"A university bearing her name is a worthy homage to her ultimate sacrifice. It ought to have been established ages ago. Building a university to honor her memory is the most fitting thing that could be done, she added.
The Union minister went on to say that during this time, the first AIIMS in the area opened for business in the state and more than 850 new schools were founded in Assam alone.
Additionally, she mentioned that 200 new skill development centers and 15 medical colleges have been established in Assam, and that India's first sports university will soon be established in the Northeast.
To further advance media education and communication studies in the area, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) at Aizawl was founded. The first Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Assam and the second in the Northeast is set to open in Guwahati, thanks to recent government approval.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma called the university a monument to Swahid Kanaklata Barua's unwavering spirit and a historic project in Assam's education sector.
Her bravery and patriotism, he said, would inspire future generations and give young people courage. The Chief Minister declared, "This university will give young minds a platform to gain technical expertise and contribute towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat." He added that the state wants to build facilities on university campuses that can house and instruct about 10,000 pupils.
The historic significance of the Bholaguri Tea Estate, where the institution is being built, was also emphasized by the Chief Minister.
He said that during the Quit India Movement, Kanaklata Baruah and other Sonotpur freedom fighters were motivated to join the Mrityu Bahini by Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
According to him, the same area will now support a top notch institution as a fitting homage to Assam's intellectual legacy and freedom struggle.
At a project cost of Rs 415 crore, the new institution will be Assam's first Technology and Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) University.
Its goal is to develop a skilled, future ready generation capable of working in cutting edge fields like cybersecurity, drone technology, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.
