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New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended warm birthday wishes to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and praised his significant contribution to the development of India’s ports and shipping sector. The Prime Minister said Sonowal’s efforts are giving strength to the vision of building a ‘self-reliant India’.
PM Modi said on his social media platform
Sarbananda Sonowal, a veteran political leader of Assam, started his journey with the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and was its President from 1992 to 1999.
In 2001, he joined Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) and was elected as MLA in the same year.
Known for his dynamic and youthful leadership, Sonowal earned the title of Jatiya Nayak (National Hero) from AASU, indicating his popularity among the youth of Assam.
He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2011 and quickly rose in the party ranks and served as national executive member, state spokesperson and general secretary of the party’s Assam unit.
In 2014, Sonowal led the BJP’s campaign during the 16th Lok Sabha elections in Assam and was elected as MP from Lakhimpur constituency. He was later appointed Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports in the Union Cabinet.
Two years later, in 2016, he resigned from the Lok Sabha and was elected to the Assam Assembly from the Majuli constituency. Following the landslide victory of the BJP-led alliance, Sonowal was sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam – the first BJP leader to hold the post in the state.
In 2021, Sonowal retained his Majuli seat and later joined the Union Cabinet as Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with additional charge of the Ministry of AYUSH.
In 2024, he was elected to the 18th Lok Sabha from Dibrugarh, continuing his work at the national level. As a Cabinet minister, Sonowal remains a key figure in advancing India’s maritime and infrastructure ambitions, promoting growth in sectors critical to the country’s self-reliance and global competitiveness.
–IANS
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