Guwahati, Dec. 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled an 80-foot statue of Gopinath Bardoloi, Assam’s first chief minister, outside the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, calling the late leader a symbol of Assam’s political and cultural identity.
“The life of Gopinath Bardoloi reminds us how leadership rooted in public service can shape the destiny of a region,” Modi said after unveiling the statue. “Assam and the Northeast continue to benefit from his vision.”
The statue stands at the entrance of the newly inaugurated airport terminal and depicts Bardoloi, a senior Congress leader and key figure in post-Independence Assam, who played a crucial role in safeguarding the state’s territorial integrity.
Bardoloi was awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP government in recognition of his contributions to the nation. Officials said the statue was designed by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 101.
Sutar, one of India’s most celebrated artists, also designed the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, the world’s tallest statue.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the statue would stand as a reminder of Bardoloi’s role in shaping modern Assam. “It is a fitting tribute at a gateway that connects Assam to the rest of the country and beyond,” he said.
The statue unveiling coincided with the opening of the new terminal at Guwahati airport, named after Bardoloi, reinforcing his legacy in the state’s public life.
