India Drawing Global Respect from 5,000-Year-Old Sanatan Roots Under PM Modi’s Leadership: Sarbananda Sonowal

Dibrugarh, March 2: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, said that India has been able to assert its identity on the global stage with dignity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing strength from its 5,000-year-old Sanatan culture.

Sonowal was speaking as the chief guest at a cultural function organised by the Cultural Affairs Department of the Assam government at Jokai in Dibrugarh on the occasion of the traditional “Khring Khring Baitho” Puja of the Sonowal Kachari community.

“Rooted in India’s ancient Sanatan civilisation, our nation today is confidently presenting its intellectual, spiritual and cultural identity before the world under the strong leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji,” Sonowal said.

Describing the festival as an agrarian religious celebration, he said it reinforces heritage and unity while bringing prayers for prosperity, peace and well-being for all. Highlighting the spiritual foundations of the Sonowal Kachari community, Sonowal said the Khring Khring Baitho Puja reflects its deep-rooted spiritual identity passed down through generations.

 

“Without spiritual education, human beings can never truly attain discipline,” Sonowal said. “If we aspire to progress in a disciplined manner in life, we must revitalize society through spiritual thought and practice.”

Sonowal said that India’s sages and spiritual leaders, over centuries, established strong spiritual traditions to strengthen social systems and instil discipline in society. Referring to the 21st century as an era defined by science, technology and intense competition, he said communities must preserve their unique identity while becoming spiritually and culturally strong.

“If the Sonowal Kachari community aims to emerge as one of the strongest communities in the world in the 21st century, we must empower our younger generation across all sectors — education, culture, sports, science, agriculture, industry, commerce, space science, ocean studies and research,” Sonowal said. “Excellence is possible only through a disciplined and committed journey.”

Among those present at the event were Assam Minister Bimal Bora, MLA Chakradhar Gogoi, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tonkeshwar Sonowal, Dibrugarh Zilla Parishad President Pushpanjali Sonowal, Chief Executive Officer Deepu Deka, Dibrugarh Development Authority Chairman Asim Hazarika, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Ujjwal Phukan and Dibrugarh district BJP President Dulal Bora, among others.