Kanaklata Barua: The Freedom Fighter Honored by Assam’s First Tech University

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation stone for Assam’s first Technology and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) University in Gohpur, dedicated to the memory of freedom fighter Kanaklata Barua. The Rs 415 crore project marks a major milestone in skill-based education and pays tribute to one of Assam’s youngest martyrs, who sacrificed her life during the Quit India Movement at the age of 17.

A Vision for Modern Education

The Kanaklata Barua TVET University aims to equip students with cutting-edge skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drone technology, and quantum computing. Designed as a green campus, the university will span 800 bighas with a built-up area of seven lakh square feet. It will accommodate around 10,000 students upon completion. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the university would be developed in two phases with an overall investment of about Rs 1,000 crore, envisioning it as a modern ‘Nalanda-Takshashila’ of the state.

Government’s Focus on Northeast Development

During the foundation ceremony, Sitharaman highlighted that since 2014, the Centre has invested nearly Rs 21,000 crore in the education sector of the Northeast. This includes the establishment of over 850 new schools, 15 medical colleges, the region’s first AIIMS, and 200 new skill development institutes. The finance minister also underlined that India’s first Sports University is coming up in the Northeast and a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is planned for Guwahati. She reiterated that the new university will strengthen technical education and industrial readiness among youth in the region.

Kanaklata Barua: The Spirit Behind the Name

Kanaklata Barua, born in 1924 in Barangabari village of Assam, was a fearless Indian independence activist. As a member of the “Mrityu Bahini” (Death Army), she led a procession to hoist the national flag at the Gohpur police station on September 20, 1942. Defying British warnings, she continued forward carrying the flag and was shot dead at just 17 years old. Her bravery and sacrifice during the Quit India Movement made her a lasting symbol of patriotism and youth-led resistance against colonial rule.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The Kanaklata Barua TVET University will be built at a cost of Rs 415 crore in Gohpur, Assam.
• Kanaklata Barua, also known as “Birbala,” was martyred at age 17 in 1942 while leading a flag-hoisting procession.
• The university will teach advanced skills like AI, drone technology, and quantum computing.
• The Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Kanaklata Barua and a state university are also named in her honour.

A Tribute Linking History and Progress

Sitharaman described the university as a fitting tribute to Kanaklata Barua’s courage and sacrifice, symbolising the fusion of Assam’s rich heritage with its technological future. The project represents both a commemoration of the state’s revolutionary past and a vision for empowering its youth through innovation and skill development. By naming the institution after a young martyr who embodied bravery and leadership, Assam’s first TVET university stands as a powerful reminder that education and courage together drive true national progress.