Govt and society should unite: PM

Sibsagar (Assam), Feb 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted the government and society to unite for creating a united country as dreamt by 15th century Assamese saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardeb.

"Government and the strength of society should unite for creating the India of Srimanta Sankardeb's dream. Delhi (Centre) will always be with you in your good work," Modi told a meeting of Srimanta Sankardeb Sangha here.

Sankardeb was a person of such talent and genius that he has major influence on the society in Assam even after five centuries, Modi said, adding, "I bow at the feet of the Gurujan."

"All present here know his every word and aspire to live his each word even after 500 years and travel on the path shown by the Mahapurush... Srimanta Sankardeb set a benchmark for one's spiritual life," he said.

Sankardeb was not only an authority in the shastras but had shown the way to fight evils of society like untouchability and to protect the motherland. He gave a spiritual form to dance, drama and singing and is as much relevant today as he was during his time.

"Five centuries ago, the Mahapurush had said let us be such an Assamese that we are Uttam Bharatiya. He gave the message of nationalism, that, for nation building, human development is necessary," the Prime Minister said.

An important figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, Srimanta Sankardeb was a poet, playwright and social-religious reformer who has left an extensive literary oeuvre of transcreated scriptures, theological works in Sanskrit, besides new form of music (Borgeet), dance (Sattriya), theatrical performance (Ankia Naat, Bhaona) and literary language (Brajavali).

PTI