People pay tribute to Sukapha, the first Ahom king, on Sukapha Diwas in Guwahati on Monday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Dec. 2: Recalling the contribution of Sukapha, the first Ahom king, in building a united kingdom, chief minister Tarun Gogoi today appealed to all communities in Assam to shun disagreements and build a united and resourceful state.

The state today celebrated Sukapha Diwas (Asom Diwas) to commemorate the advent of Sukapha, the founder of Ahom kingdom, after his journey over Patkai Hills. Sukapha, who set up the 600-year-old Ahom kingdom in Upper Assam, had brought the ethnic communities of the state under one administrative rule.

“Sukapha started the process of forming the larger Assamese society,” Gogoi said.

The chief minister said the state government has been undertaking various activities to keep the memory of Sukapha alive. He said besides celebrating Sukapha Diwas, the state government has been awarding people, who have contributed to the society, in Sukapha’s name.

The construction of Sukapha Xamannay Khetra is on at Jorhat. Besides being a tourist destination, the place will help the new generation learn about Sukapha and the variegated culture of the state, he added.

The state cultural affairs department organised a function at Rabindra Bhawan here this evening to celebrate the day. A cultural programme was also organised.

In Lakhimpur, the occasion was celebrated over two days under the aegis of Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha. The celebrations concluded today. Union minister of state for tribal affairs Ranee Narah, Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Pranab Gogoi and All Tai Ahom Students’ Union president Pranjal Rajkonwar were present on the occasion.

Yesterday, the Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha held a symposium on Relevance of the Ideology of Chaulung Sukapha, the Father Figure of Assamese people, in Reducing Communal Tensions in Assam. It also released a souvenir.