President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday began his joint address to the members of both the Houses of Parliament with the reference of Assamese poet and nationalist Ambikagiri Raichoudhury.
The President said whenever India has remained united it has been able to attain even seemingly unattainable goals.
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“This solidarity and Pujya Bapu’s inspiration had given us freedom from hundreds of years of colonial rule,” he said.
Echoing the same spirit, Asam Kesari Ambikagiri Raichaudhuri, the nationalist poet, had said “Om tatsat Bharat Mahat, Ek chetonaat, Ek Dhyanot, Ek Sadhonaat, Ek Avegot, Ek Hoi Jaa, Ek Hoi Jaa.”
“That is, India’s grandeur is the ultimate truth. In one single consciousness, one thought, one devotion, one inspiration, let us unite; let us unite,” said Kovind.
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The President said the joint sitting of Parliament, which is being held during the time of the coronavirus pandemic, has great significance.
“It is the beginning of a new year and a new decade. We will also be entering the 75th year of India’s independence this year.
“All the Members of Parliament present here today embody the conviction held by every Indian that the toughest of challenges will deter neither us nor India,” he said.
Ambikagiri Raichoudhury was born in 1885 at Raipara in Barpeta district.
He participated in India’s Independence Movement and was imprisoned by the British for the same.
Ambikagiri Raichoudhury was the founder of ‘Oxom Xongrikhini Xobhaa’ (Assam Preservation Council) and ‘Oxom Jaatiyo Mohaaxobhaa’ (Assam National Congress).
Prominent works of Ambikagiri Raichoudhury include ‘Tumi’, ‘Kaabyo’, ‘Aahuti’, ‘Joydroth Bodh’, ‘Binaa’, ‘Onubhuti’, ‘Bondoo Ki Sondere’, and ‘Bedonaar Ulkaa’.
Ambikagiri Raichoudhury was also known as ‘Assam Kesari’ (The lion of Assam) because of his firebrand nationalist character.
Stating that Modi government brought an inclusive growth in all sectors, Kovind also highlighted Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
He said this is not just confined to manufacturing in India, but is also a campaign aimed at elevating the standard of living of every Indian as well as boosting the self-confidence of the country.
“Our goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat will be further strengthened by self-reliance in agriculture. With this idea, the government has, over the last 6 years, attempted to bring positive transformation in the ‘Seed to Market’ system so that Indian agriculture is modernized and also sees growth,” Kovind said.
“In pursuance of these efforts, my Government decided to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee report and increased the MSP to at least 1.5 times of the cost of production.
“Today my government is not only purchasing record quantities at the MSP, but is also increasing the number of procurement centres,” Kovind added.