'Namami Barak' concludes with President's visit

President Ram Nath Kovind today brought the curtains down on the three-day mega event 'Namami Barak' held to showcase Bkarak Valley's potential to emerge as a hub of trade and commerce.
During his research on the name 'Barak' before coming here, Kovind said, he found its meaning in Hindi is 'bhagyashali' (fortunate) denoting its rich culture and fertile land as the Barak river flows through the valley.
The two rivers, Barak and Brahmaputra, are lifelines of the people of Assam, the President said.
Because of the position of the valleys created by the two rivers, Assam and the North Eastern region would be connected to South East Asia through the Act East Policy, he said adding that the Centre and the state government are working hand in hand to make this happen.

He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to all the 10 leaders of ASEAN countries at the Republic Day function next year.
"This would also play a pivotal role in turning the fortune of the state," he said.

Kovind also referred to the golden history of the Barak valley and the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the country.
The festival was organized with an attempt to pay tribute to Barak river and promote socio economic development in both sides of the river.
Through such events as this, the state would get the desired focus on its potentials to emerge as an international gateway and hub of trade and commerce, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.

He said the state government has sent a proposal to the Centre to include Silchar in the list of Smart Cities.
Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi unveiled a coffee table book on Namami Barak.
Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Babul Supriyo was also present at the programme.
At the end of the function, the President flagged down the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Unity & Heritage Motorcycle Expedition as a part of 183rd Raising Day Celebration of the Assam Riffles.