Munni Begum / Guwahati

Today marked a historic moment at the playground of the Khanapara College of Veterinary Science, as Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for a second consecutive term following the unprecedented victory of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the recently concluded assembly elections.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, along with chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from 22 states, leading industrialists, and the U.S. ambassador to India, Sergio Gore.

With the blessings of Maa Kamakhya, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and the people of Assam, I took oath as the Chief Minister.

Along with the Council of Ministers, we look forward to serving our people and continue to fulfill all their aspirations. pic.twitter.com/6ZNpExtQFM

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 12, 2026

Along with Chief Minister Sarma, four other ministers also took oath at Khanapara. The four legislators inducted into his cabinet are former Union Minister Rameswar Teli, Atul Bora, Ajanta Neog, and Charan Boro. Except for Teli, the other three had also served in the previous Himanta Biswa Sarma cabinet. Teli, who had been active in national politics for a long time, has now returned to state politics.

Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Chief Minister and other ministers. While Sarma and the other ministers took oath in their mother tongue, Charan Boro took his oath in Bodo. BJP leaders, workers, and supporters from every district of the state attended the ceremony, which reportedly saw a gathering of nearly 100,000 people.

To make the event memorable and unique, renowned sculptor Nuruddin Ahmed, along with his two sons Raj Ahmed and Deep Ahmed, designed and built a special, aesthetically striking stage at the veterinary college grounds. The stage reflected Assam’s rich culture, festivals, and traditional way of life.

Renowned sculptor Nuruddin Ahmed and his two sons, Raj Ahmed and Deep Ahmed

Under Nuruddin Ahmed’s guidance and supervision, Raj and Deep completed this major responsibility within a very short time. Although constructing such a large-scale stage within limited time was a major challenge, the two artists successfully completed the project with dedication and creativity.

Since many distinguished leaders, ministers, and guests from across India were present at the Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony, the artists made a conscious effort to prominently showcase Assam’s identity in every aspect of the stage design. Various elements of Assamese social and cultural life were incorporated into the decoration.

Sculptor Deep Ahmed said, “We were assigned the responsibility of building the main stage for the Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony from Saturday. Completing such a large project in such a short time was a huge challenge for us. But since this event was extremely important for Assam, we gave it our all.”

He further said, “Our goal was to present a distinctive glimpse of Assam on the stage. We tried to reflect Assam’s lifestyle, festivals, cultural heritage, and religious traditions. The main stage combines a parliamentary design with Assamese cultural elements, while the nearby stages attempt to represent the essence of Satra culture.”

জয় মা ভাৰতী!
জয় আই অসম!

With all humility I bow down to the people of Assam 🙏🏽

It is an extremely emotional moment as I took oath as the Chief Minister of Assam for the second consecutive term.

This would not have been possible without the margdarshan of Adarniya… pic.twitter.com/tXns7llimi

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 12, 2026

Deep Ahmed also said, “Our father constantly supervised our work and guided us in various aspects. His experience and advice are invaluable to us. Even today, he continues to observe our work closely and points out anything that needs correction.”

The stage construction used a combination of wood, fiber, sculptural craftsmanship, and modern lighting. Various sections of the stage showcased symbolic representations of Assamese folk culture, traditional motifs, and architectural influences. Elements of Satra culture, Namghar traditions, and other forms of Assam’s traditional art were prominently incorporated into the decoration.

This stage was not merely a platform for a political event but also served as a medium to present Assam’s culture and heritage before the nation. Special attention was given to ensuring that guests experienced the state’s rich traditions and cultural diversity.

Although the BJP government is often accused of being anti-minority, the responsibility of constructing the main stage for this swearing-in ceremony was entrusted to two distinguished members of the minority community.

The specially designed stage at Khanapara added a new dimension to the Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony while also bringing Assam’s glorious heritage into national focus. This initiative once again demonstrated the depth and richness of Assamese art and culture, earning widespread appreciation for preserving tradition amid modernity.

It is worth noting that Padma Shri awardee Nuruddin Ahmed has been creating idols and paintings of Hindu deities since 1975. Since idol worship is prohibited in Islam, he initially faced many challenges. However, over time, both Hindus and Muslims embraced and appreciated his work. Today, his two sons, Deep Ahmed and Raj Ahmed, are following in his footsteps. It is in recognition of his lifelong dedication and invaluable contribution to society that he was recently honored with the Padma Shri.

Born in Hatikuchi in Assam’s Nalbari district, Nuruddin Ahmed’s artistic dedication, perseverance, and tireless efforts have resulted in countless remarkable creations. Through his craftsmanship, numerous historical monuments, timeless scenes, classical artworks, and full-scale statues of distinguished personalities have come to life.

From childhood, Nuruddin Ahmed had an intense passion for art. His sculptures of notable personalities, symbolic representations of Assam’s diverse cultures, and heritage-inspired creations stand as unique examples of his artistic excellence. Among his notable works are symbolic representations of beloved Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, the main gateway of the “Jhumoir Binandini” event held at Sarusajai, and the decorative gateways created from Borjhar to Khanapara for “Advantage Assam 2.0.”

During Durga Puja in 2017, he created a 101-foot bamboo idol in preparation for the Guinness World Records. Unfortunately, a storm damaged the structure before the record could be achieved. However, the setback did not break his spirit. With only six days left before Durga Puja, he worked day and night to rebuild the idol, eventually completing it in time and earning a place in the Limca Book of Records.

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At the beginning of 2025, Nuruddin Ahmed’s artistry also brought life to the science fair of the Pathshala session of the Assam Sahitya Sabha. Famous for creating artistic replicas of places such as Indraprastha from the Mahabharata, the Great Wall of China, and Rome’s Colosseum, Nuruddin Ahmed is not only a successful artist himself but has also helped nurture the talents of many aspiring artists and sculptors through his Rajdeep Studio in Kahilipara, guiding them toward both artistic growth and livelihood.