Assam commemorated Asom Diwas, also known as Sui-Ka-Pha Diwas, with events across different districts to honour Swargadeu Chaolung Sui-ka-pha, the founder of the Ahom empire, on Tuesday.
The main celebration took place in Nazira, where a new statue of the Ahom King was unveiled after customary Tai Ahom Ban-Phi ceremonies.
Assam Cabinet Minister Piyush Hazarika unveiled the statue, created at a cost of Rs 1.9 crore by the Tai Ahom Development Council.
“Sui-ka-pha forgot his own identity to establish and bind the Assamese identity together. Every day we honour him, and I encourage every Assamese to keep his memory and legacy alive,” Hazarika told the gathering.
The ceremonies began with a cultural procession from the monument site to the Nazira District Sports Association field, followed by an open-air public gathering, displaying Tai folk performances and the state anthem.
The programme was supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Tai Ahom Development Council and the Tai Ahom Students’ Union.
Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora, Minister Jogen Mohan, MLAs Sushanta Borgohain, Dharmeshwar Konwar and Pradip Hazarika, Cultural Affairs Director Rahul Chandra Das, and Tai Ahom Development Council head Mayur Borgohain were among those present at the event.
Sui-Ka-Pha Diwas was also fervently observed in Charaideo, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tai Ahom Students’ Union, Sui-Ka-Pha Regional Committee and local villagers organised rituals and cultural events at the historic Charaideo Maidam, preserving its 600-year-old tradition.
"Sui-ka-pha, who arrived in 1218, united small communities and built a Greater Assam," stated Sonari MLA Dharmeshwar Konwar as he lighted the ceremonial lamp. What was originally named Sui-Ka-Pha Diwas is now recognised by the government as Asom Diwas.”
He praised the Chief Minister for securing World Heritage status for Charaideo and added that a new institution named after the renowned Ahom King had been approved, with the bill ratified on November 29.
“Charaideo Maidam and this university will remain symbols of his immortal legacy,” Konwar remarked. Meanwhile, in Moran, the Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad, Assam (TAYPA), staged a three-day celebration from November 30.
"To honor the man who brought local communities together to become Bor Asom, we are celebrating Sui-Ka-Pha Diwas. Without him, other forces might have dominated our land,” a TAYPA member said.
He went on to say that in an effort to improve cultural links between Assam and Tripura, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, the chief of Tipra Motha, will get the Sui-Ka-Pha Award this year.
