Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 29 (ANI): The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council, Pramod Boro, on Sunday expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for highlighting the Bodoland CEM Cup during the 123rd episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, stating that it was a 'proud moment' for the people of Bodoland, emphasising the event's role in fostering unity, peace, and youth engagement in a previously conflict-hit region through sports.

'Today it's a proud moment for the people of Bodoland as PM mentions the CEM cup that's been happening since last month in Bodoland, where more than 3700 clubs and around 70,000 players are participating. It's a mega event in Bodoland for the first time. This event was done for engaging the youths of our rural area to motivate them towards sports and also their fitness and career and also moving ahead in their journey with positive thoughts,' he stated.

He credited the initiative to the inspiration drawn from PM Modi's visit to Bodoland in February 2020, where the Prime Minister urged the people of the region to move beyond violence and embrace a new dawn towards peace.

Boro highlighted the transformative impact of the Bodoland government over the past four and a half years, focusing on sustaining peace and unity after decades of conflict.

'In the last four and a half years, the Bodoland government has done so many things with the inspiration of the Prime Minister... Prime Minister visited Bodoland in February 2020... At the time, he made some requests to the people that Bodoland should not be a place of violence anymore and that it was a new dawn that started in Bodoland... When we established our government, we addressed these issues as we maintained our peace, unity, and unity among the people... There was hatred among people, anger among people and mistrust for many reasons happening due to so many conflicts and violence in the four decades-long borderland regions,' he explained.

This came after PM Modi, during his 'Mann Ki Baat' show earlier today, praised the Bodoland CEM Cup as a 'celebration of unity and hope', noting the participation of over 3,700 teams and nearly 70,000 players.

'Bodoland today stands out in the country with a new face, a new identity. The energy and confidence that the youth here have are most visible on the football field. In the Bodo Territorial Area, the Bodoland CEM Cup is being organised. This is not just a tournament; it has become a celebration of unity and hope,' PM Modi stated.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the emergence of Bodoland's football talents on the national stage, naming players like Halicharan Narzary, Durga Boro, Apurba Narzary, and Manbir Basumatari as symbols of a new generation.

'The football players hailing from here are now making their mark at a high level. Halicharan Narzary, Durga Boro, Apurba Narzary, Manbir Basumatari - these are not just the names of football players - they are the identity of that new generation who catapulted Bodoland from the field to the national stage,' he stated.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also extended his gratitude towards PM Modi as he spoke about the football players of Bodoland, saying, 'Today in the Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi mentioned the football players of Bodoland. The PM has been mentioning the success of Assam in his Mann Ki Baat. I extend my gratitude to the PM and the players of Bodoland.' (ANI)