2017-06-06 Tue

Gopinath Bardoloi, the architect of modern Assam, he was born today in 1890 at Raha in Assam. He completed his education from Scottish Church College in Calcutta. He was the only person till date from North-Eastern region of India to receive the highest Civilian Award of India, the ‘Bharat Ratna'.

Since childhood he tried to understand the need of people due to this he took his father’s profession of practicing medicine to understand the social needs of patients. Later on, he worked as a Headmaster of Sonaram High School and completed his law studies and started practicing in Guwahati.

Gopinath Bordoloi was the follower of the Gandhian principle of non-violence. His freedom struggle was influenced by Rabindranath Tagore, JC Bose, Surendranath Banerjee and few others. He was also called the architect of the Indian National Congress in Assam.

He was the eminent politician and was the prime member in establishing the policy of Assam. Later on, he became the first Chief Minister of the Undivided Assam. Other than political and social work his interest also lied in writing. He wrote many books like Buddhadeb, Annaskaktiyog, Hajrat Mohammad and Shree Ramachandra.

He is also known as Lokapriya because he dedicated his whole life for the people’s welfare. He is often called Assam's saviour due to his extremely courageous role in resisting the infamous Coupland plan for Crown Colony. He also contributed in securing the future of Assam by working closely with Sardar Vallabhai Patel to secure the sovereignty of Assam against China and East Pakistan.

His courage was such which prompted India's ‘Iron Man' Sardar Patel to hail him as the Sher-I-Assam: Lion of Assam.

To remember and to pay tribute to his courage India post has issued a commemorative stamp in 1919.