Assam Can't Be Behind As India Marches To Become A Developed Nation: Himanta Sarma at Republic Plenary Summit 2025

New Delhi:  Himanta Biswa Samra, Assam Chief Minister, at the Republic Plenary Summit 2025, echoed the vision of "Limitless India," saying that Assam cannot afford to be left behind as India marches toward becoming a developed nation. He emphasised that to achieve this vision of a nation poised to unleash its full potential, and Assam, is a key part of this transformative journey.

Addressing the crowd at the mega event, Sarma asserted that 
"Limitless India" is not just a phrase but an idea that he believes is inextricably linked to the potential of every region in the country, including Assam. He quoted a recent statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed Assam as a state with "limitless potential." This notion resonated deeply with Sarma, especially in the context of Assam's past struggles and its future prospects.

From Agitations to Insurgencies: Himanta Recalls Assam's Struggles

Reflecting on Assam's tumultuous history, Sarma recounted the state's challenges with illegal migration and ethnic tensions. He noted the unrest that had escalated into violent movements, like the Assam Agitation of 1979 and the subsequent ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) insurgency, which took thousands of lives over several decades. These struggles, Sarma emphasised, were not just about identity and culture but were also rooted in the broader issue of neglect and underdevelopment.

In his speech, Sarma vividly depicted Assam's historical struggles for development, comparing the disparity in the growth of Assam’s infrastructure to the prosperous regions of southern and western India. He reflected on how the development in Guwahati, Assam’s largest city, had been a mere fraction of the progress seen in cities like Calcutta (now Kolkata) during the same period. This uneven development, Sarma argued, led to regional imbalances and delayed India’s progress toward becoming a global power.

The Chief Minister further noted that Assam’s development challenges were compounded by historical issues, including the 1962 Sino-Indian war and subsequent border concerns. These factors had created a complex and often tense situation in the region. However, the Chief Minister also highlighted the tremendous strides Assam has made in recent years, particularly in areas of infrastructure, education, and technology.

To build on the Limitless vision, Sarma proposed that Assam, along with other northeastern states, should become hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. "A startup cannot only happen in IIT Madras," he said. "It must also thrive in IIT Guwahati and IIM Shillong." The Chief Minister’s message was clear: Assam’s future lies in its ability to contribute to the technological and economic growth of India, tapping into its unique potential and resources.

He concluded his address saying, "The India of 2047 will not be a nation divided between the rich and the poor, the developed and the backward," adding, "but a unified country where every state has an equal stake in its success."

Republic Plenary Summit 2025 - Limitless India

The Republic Plenary Summit 2025 will be broadcast LIVE across multiple platforms beginning at 9 AM on Thursday, March 6. Viewers can watch the mega event on Republic TV LIVE or tune in to Republic World's YouTube channel. Additionally, Republic World will also be running a live blog offering real-time updates and comprehensive coverage of this significant event.

Republic TV LIVE TV: https://www.republicworld.com/livetv/

Republic World Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/RepublicWorld

The Republic Plenary Summit is proudly presented by RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, with JAC Olivol as the Co-Presenting Partner. The summit is co-powered by Canara Bank, Radico, Apollo Hospitals, Reliance Digital, Ravin Group, and Rungta Steel. We are honored to have Reva University as our Knowledge Partner and Wildstone as our Hackathon Partner.

Our heartfelt thanks go to our Associate Sponsors, BlueStar and Muthoot Finance, as well as our Prayer Partner, Parimal Agarbatti. Special thanks to our State Partners, including the Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, and Nandini Mill.

We are also grateful to our Insurance Partner, LIC; Luxury Partner, Da Milano; Wardrobe Partner, Pall Mall; and Literary Partner, National Book Trust.

Thank you to all our partners for their invaluable support in making this summit a success.