Karimganj now Sribhumi: Assam renames district to honour Tagore's vision

GUWAHATI: The Assam cabinet on Tuesday approved the renaming of Karimganj district in the Barak Valley, bordering Bangladesh, as Sribhumi.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while making the announcement, observed that it honours Tagore's vision, who designated the current geographical area of undivided India as Sribhumi. "Over a century ago, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore described modern-day Karimganj District in Assam as 'Sribhumi' - the land of Maa Lakshmi," Sarma conveyed through X.

Sarma believed it is an initiative to restore the former glory of Assam's southernmost district while fulfilling the long-standing demand of the populace. "This decision will reflect the expectations and aspirations of the people of the district," he said.

Addressing journalists here, Sarma said the state government has been emphasising the necessity to alter the names of certain villages, towns, cities, and districts from their current nomenclature to ones that showcase their glorious heritage, tradition, or modern Assamese names. "Names which are unsuitable from a social perspective were previously assigned to some villages and districts. Many districts possess rich heritage, yet remain unacknowledged in their names," he added. Sarma clarified that renaming Karimganj exemplifies this initiative.