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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make history by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to pay homage at the Swahid Smarak Kshetra, a memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the development through a post on social media platform X, describing the memorial as a symbol of sacrifice and courage. He stated that the Prime Minister will visit the site on Sunday to honour the “Bir Swahids” who laid down their lives during the six-year-long movement. The Chief Minister also shared the reflections of a martyr’s family member ahead of the visit.

According to an official press release, Prime Minister Modi will be in Assam on December 20 and 21. On the morning of December 21, at around 9:45 am, he will offer tributes at the Swahid Smarak Kshetra located in Boragaon, Guwahati.

The Chief Minister’s post included a video message from a family member of Assam Movement martyr Bedela Bordoloi from Dharamtul in Morigaon district. In the video, the family member expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the BJP-led government for recognising the sacrifices of the martyrs. He highlighted that each martyr’s family received financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh and thanked the government for establishing the memorial at Boragaon to preserve the legacy of the movement.

The Prime Minister’s Assam visit will begin on December 20 when he arrives in Guwahati at around 3 pm. During his visit, he will inaugurate the newly constructed terminal building of the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport and address a public gathering.

On December 21, after paying homage at the Swahid Smarak Kshetra, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Namrup in Dibrugarh district, where he will lay the foundation stone for a new Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project of Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited. He will also address a gathering at the event.

The newly inaugurated airport terminal marks a major upgrade in Assam’s aviation infrastructure. Spread across nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the integrated terminal is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually and is supported by upgraded runways, aprons, taxiways and airfield systems.

Designed as India’s first nature-themed airport terminal, the structure draws inspiration from Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. Built around the theme “Bamboo Orchids,” the terminal incorporates approximately 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo, Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, japi motifs, rhino symbols and orchid-shaped columns reflecting the Kopou flower. A distinctive “Sky Forest” featuring nearly one lakh indigenous plants offers passengers an immersive natural experience upon arrival.

The terminal also sets new standards in passenger convenience with advanced features such as full-body scanners, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling, fast-track immigration and AI-powered airport operations.

The Prime Minister’s visit to the Swahid Smarak Kshetra is intended to honour the martyrs of the Assam Movement, which sought the protection of Assam’s identity and the removal of illegal foreigners.

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Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will perform the bhoomi pujan for a brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup, located within the existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited. The project, with an estimated investment exceeding Rs 10,600 crore, aims to meet fertiliser needs in Assam and neighbouring states, reduce import dependence, generate employment and boost regional economic growth.