Guwahati: The Assam government will celebrate Lachit Divas, the birth anniversary of Ahom army general Lachit Borphukan, in cities across the country from next year.

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal made the announcement at a function here in front of the general's statue at Machkhowa on Lachit Divas on Friday. Paying tribute to the hero of Assamese history, Sonowal said the government would take the initiative to introduce a chapter on Lachit Borphukan in school textbooks.

"I feel that we have failed to promote the work and courage of Lachit Borphukan. Even in other parts of India, many people are not aware of him. It is a huge drawback for us. So the state government has decided to organise Lachit Divas in different parts of the country."

Unveiling the plan, Sonowal said, "We have targeted major cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Hyderabad and so on to organise Lachit Divas. We will start with Delhi and move on to other cities."

On introducing a chapter on the legendary warrior in textbooks, the chief minister said, "Till now there has been a huge lack of awareness about Lachit Borphukan in school books. From the next year, we will introduce chapters on Lachit in every standard."

Sonowal today announced that a park would come up in front of the statue of Lachit under the smart city project. "We will make this place a tourist attraction."

The chief minister urged Assamese NRIs to promote Lachit abroad. A play about Saraighat War was also staged, organised by the cultural affairs department of Assam. The All Assam Goriya-Moriya Yuva Chatra Parishad, took out a procession from Burha Masjid to Dighalipukhuri to commemorate the bravery of Lachit Barphukan and Bagh Hazarika - the heroes of Saraighat War.