Imbibing the ideology of Srimanta Xankardeb is important to become a better person, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.

Addressing a gathering of nearly 15,000 people on the second day of the four-day 89th annual session of the Sangha at Kaziranga Samanway Kshetra in Golaghat, Sonowal praised the Srimanta Sankaradeva Sangha for “doing its best to extend the ideals of the great saints of all ages”.

He said Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva Viswavidyalaya should be developed as an international university.

Xankardeb’s 572nd birth anniversary will be celebrated by the government for the first time, Sonowal said. “The state government will allot 300 bigha and Rs 10 crore to the university,” he added. “Xankardeb gave us religious weapons. Research should be carried out in his life and work.”

The event’s chief guest, governor Jagdish Mukhi, said: “Xankardeb’s ideals must lead Assam towards a bold future.”

The meeting was inaugurated by the Sangha’s general secretary Babul Bora and chaired by president of its literary branch Suresh Ch. Bora.

A research journal Mahapurusar Juti was launched by minister Keshab Mahanta. Two books were also released by Sonowal and Mukhi.

Noted litterateur and professor of Kashi University Dinabandhu Pandey said, “We must realise the core ideas of Xankardeb’s writings.”

An international lecture on Xankardeb will be organised at Kashi University, he added. Minister Atul Bora, MLA Ramakanta Deuri, Bhabendranath Bharalai, Sangha padadhikar (chief) Kamala Kanta Gogoi and its chief adviser Bhabananda Deka among others attended the meeting.

In the evening, meetings of the Sangha’s cultural and the child and woman welfare committees were held.

On Friday, following flag hoisting, a cultural procession will be taken out. Several political leaders and other dignitaries will take part in the meeting.

Pradip Kr. Borah composed the event’s theme song.

Trade fair, organised as part of the event, received high footfall on Thursday.

Students detained

As many as five student activists, suspected to be showing black flags to the chief minister, were detained by Kamargaon police at Bongaon. They were later released.