Gogoi’s autobiography released in Delhi

GUWAHATI: ‘Turnaround – Leading Assam from the Front’, an autobiography of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was released by MP Dr Karan Singh at a function in Delhi on Saturday evening, a government release said. Published by Harper Collins India, the autobiography traces the story of how Gogoi’s “innovative and grounded style of governance helped bring about the change from dark days towards dawn vis-a-vis towards the path of development,” the release said. “As a record of Assam politics (2001- 2016) at its transformative best, the book documents a trailblazing career and a state abuzz with the excitement of a makeover,” it said. Releasing the book, Singh said it has been an astounding achievement for Tarun Gogoi to be at the helm of affairs for three consecutive terms and for steering the state through difficult times. “For being the Chief Minister during the most difficult times with insurgency and various forces at work and for bring about a turnaround in the situation, his place in the history is assured,” he said. Terming Gogoi as a great son of the Brahmaputra, Singh said the manner in which the Chief Minister handled a state like Assam confronted with so much difficulties and complexities similar to that of Jammu and Kashmir, was quite extraordinary. The Chief Minister during an interview said when he took over the reins of power in May 2001, Assam was passing through difficult times. “Insurgency was at its peak with militants calling the shots. Development came to a standstill. With empty coffers, government employees were not paid salaries. “But things have changed since then. The number of killings by militants has come down as several outfits were brought to the negotiating table. Economic growth accompanied the new stability. And the rest is history.” Gogoi further said the biggest achievement of his government has been changing the mindset of the youth. “Today the youth of Assam are shining outside the state. They are feeling confident like never before. Assam’s future is bright and the state is well poised to become one of the leading states of the country.” “When history of Assam is penned, my three terms will show up both positives as well as negatives. But, I will leave history to judge these years. I, as a son of the soil, am only content and grateful that I could take centre stage in the turnaround story,” he said. (PTI)