Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised the critical role of education, hard work and perseverance in nation-building during an address at Manohari Devi Kanoi Girls’ College in Dibrugarh, Assam, on October 16.
During the event, financial aid was distributed under the Assam government’s Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes. Sonowal encouraged students to remain focused and disciplined, stating, “Knowledge is power, and it can be acquired through education.” He added, “Dreaming is not enough; every dream needs dedicated work. Studying the lives of successful people shows the struggle and sacrifice behind their success.”
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Sonowal commended the Assam government’s efforts to alleviate financial obstacles in education, stressing that no student should be forced to end their studies due to lack of funds.
Reflecting on his personal journey from Muluk village in Dibrugarh to the Union Cabinet, Sonowal noted that his appointment as minister provided an opportunity to learn about a new sector. “I was born in Muluk village in Dibrugarh, on the banks of the Brahmaputra and the Dibru. There was a time when I did not even have the chance to see the sea. Then Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji gave me the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and I began learning an entirely new field,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s trust, stating, “His trust inspired me to learn and to work with dedication. In these five years I have gained many new experiences, and I thank the Prime Minister from my heart.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the maritime sector, Sonowal said ports play a vital role in connecting Indian products with global markets and facilitating the movement of essential goods.
He also described the 21st century as the century of Nari Shakti, or women’s empowerment, noting the rise in female participation in the maritime sector. He said, “The number of women working in the shipping sector has risen from around 1,000 before 2014 to approximately 8,000.”
Referencing the teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva, Sonowal stressed unity and harmony and reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”
He concluded by urging students to set clear goals and pursue them with confidence, perseverance and a positive outlook. Sonowal said India’s vision of becoming a developed nation could be realised by harnessing the knowledge, skills and creativity of its youth.