"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
11 Mar 2023
Assam has etched its name in history by creating the world record for the largest online photo album of handwritten notes, a tribute to legendary Ahom commander Lachit Barphukan. With an impressive 42.9 lakh handwritten notes uploaded to a portal between October and November last year, the Guinness World Records declared this achievement as the largest online photo album of handwritten notes.
The collection was compiled by the Government of Assam to mark Lachit Barphukan's 400th birth anniversary on February 1, 2023. The Guinness World Records recognized the feat and congratulated Assam on its remarkable achievement.
Lachit Barphukan led the Ahom army in the Battle of Saraighat, which successfully halted the Mughal invasion led by Ramsingh I. After Jaydhway Singha signed the treaty of Ghilajharighat with the Mughals, Chakradhway Singha, his successor, prepared for a full-scale war to retrieve the lost territory. In 1667, Lachit Barphukan was selected as the commander and given the title of Barphukan. He led a ferocious campaign, destroying many Mughal outposts till Guwahati and controlling the fort for two months.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the students and others who contributed tributes to the Ahom General. The CM tweeted his admiration for the youngsters of Assam, who have demonstrated their affection for the legendary commander. He also thanked the hardworking students and others in India and around the world for writing tributes to the brave Ahom General.
As a tribute to his bravery and leadership, the Lachit Barphukan gold medal was established in 1999 and is awarded to the best cadet from the National Defence Academy. Assam's tribute to Lachit Barphukan through the creation of this world-record photo album is a fitting tribute to his heroism and evidence of the people's love for their cultural heritage.