GUWAHATI, Nov 8: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that the Central government has invested over ₹21,000 crore in the education sector across the Northeast in the last 11 years, marking a significant expansion in educational infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
Speaking after performing the bhumipujan for the Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University at Bholaguri Tea Estate in Gohpur, Sitharaman highlighted that the new institution would be Assam’s first university dedicated to technical and vocational education and training. The university, named after the young freedom fighter Kanaklata Barua, will be built at a cost of ₹415 crore on 241 acres of land.
The minister said that since 2014, more than 850 new schools have been opened, over 200 skill development institutes have been operationalised, and the first AIIMS in the region has started functioning. “Assam alone has seen the establishment of 15 new medical colleges, while South Asia’s largest cancer care centre and the region’s second IIM are also coming up,” she added.
Sitharaman also underlined the Centre’s commitment to improving connectivity through the construction of roads, bridges, tunnels, and airports. “In the past 11 years, 10 new greenfield airports have been built in the region, and Manipur and Meghalaya have been added to the country’s railway map for the first time,” she said.
Paying tribute to Kanaklata Barua, who was martyred during the Quit India Movement at the age of 17, Sitharaman said that the new university will “embody her spirit of patriotism” and inspire future generations. The university will offer advanced courses in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, drone and navigation technology, and quantum computing.
“The Centre is working closely with the state governments to ensure the Northeast becomes a hub of education, skill development, and innovation,” Sitharaman stated, calling the project a fitting tribute to one of Assam’s most courageous daughters.
