Dispur, Jan 18: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday, inaugurated Integrated Aquaculture Centre for NE Region set up by NGO Kalong-Kapili at Bagibari in Kamrup Metro district. He also appreciated the efforts taken by Kalong-Kapili NGO to boost rural economy and participated in the conference of fish farmers coming from six districts and fishery training programme imparted by the NGO.

CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal speaking after the inauguration of the Integrated Aquaculture Centre for North East region developed by Kalong-Kapili at Khetri. https://t.co/gQm6zRcf9T

— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) January 18, 2021

Earlier today, Sonowal inaugurated the road constructed by Water Resources Department in association with Kalong-Kapili NGO. The NGO, which was set up in 2007, have been playing an active role in strengthening rural economy and it has provided jobs to more than one lakh people while facilitating bank loans worth Rs. 20 crore to young entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the programme, Chief Minister Sonowal appreciated Kalong-Kapili NGO’s Director Jyotish Talukdar and other officials for setting an example in NGO sector and transforming the rural economy in the state through fisheries and integrated farming methods. He said that the NGO’s success has inspired scores of youths in the state to take up fisheries and other agricultural activities and expressed optimism that Assam would soon achieve self-reliance in production of food items like fish, milk etc. taking inspiration from the successful model of Kalong-Kapili. He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for making India ‘Atma Nirbhar’ in all sectors and said the NGOs like Kalong-Kapili have become role models in this endeavour.

In the programme, Kalong-Kapili NGO’s Director Jyotish Talukdar gave the welcome address and reflected on the challenges and successes of the organization since its inception in 2007.

Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta, MP Queen Oja, Dispur MLA Atul Bora, Morigaon MLA Ramakanta Deuri, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Paban Kumar Borthakur, Regional General Manager of Punjab National Bank S.S. Sing were also present in today’s programme along with many enterprising youths engaged in the fishery sector.