Kolkata: PM Narendra Modi will address ‘Parakram Diwas’ celebrations today to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Assam on Saturday and distributed land pattas/allotment certificates to indigenous people in Sivasagar, under the state government programme to one lakh beneficiaries. "Today I am here to be a part of your happiness and celebration as our government in Assam has completed a huge task. Today, those who love Assam and are from the state are getting recognition of their land," Modi said reiterating his government's commitment to give land rights to the indigenous people of the state.
According to the PMO release, taking into account an urgent need to protect the land rights of indigenous people of the state, the Assam government came out with a comprehensive new Land Policy with a renewed emphasis on protecting the land rights of the indigenous people.
"The issuance of patta/allotment certificates for indigenous people of Assam has been given the highest priority in order to instil a sense of security amongst them. Assam had 5.75 lakh landless families in 2016. The present Government has distributed 2.28 lakhs land pattas/allotment certificates since May 2016. The ceremony on January 23 marks the next step in this process," the release stated.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, speaking on the occasion said that prime minister Modi is the biggest well-wisher of Assam and its people. The development of Assam and the northeast region is due to his support, he added.
State health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Assam and the northeast got due attention from the Central government and made unprecedented progress during the last six years.
"We thank the PM for giving the region a new direction in terms of growth and inclusive development," he added.
The prime minister will also address 'Parakram Diwas' celebrations in Kolkata today. Modi's visit to the two states assumes significance as both are headed to assembly polls in April-May.
The BJP, as well as the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, have planned a number of events around Bose, often called Netaji by admirers, as they seek to woo the voters ahead of the polls.
The PMO noted that the central government had recently decided to celebrate Bose's birthday every year as 'Parakram Diwas' to honour and remember his indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation.
This will also help inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity as the celebrated freedom fighter did and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervour, it added.
Modi will preside over the inaugural function of the celebrations at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.
A permanent exhibition and a projection mapping show on Bose will be inaugurated on the occasion.
A commemorative coin and postage stamp will also be released by the prime minister, and a cultural programme "Amra Nuton Jouboneri Doot" will also be held.
Before this event, Modi will visit the National Library, Kolkata, where an international conference "Revisiting the legacy of Netaji Subhas in the 21st century" and an artists' camp are being organised.
He will interact with the artists and other participants, the PMO said.
Taking into account an urgent need to protect the land rights of indigenous people of the state, the Assam government came out with a comprehensive new land policy with a renewed emphasis on protecting their rights.
The PMO added that the issuance of allotment certificates for the state's indigenous population has been given the highest priority in order to instil a sense of security amongst them.
Assam had 5.75 lakh landless families in 2016. The present government has distributed 2.28 lakh land pattas since then.
