Marking a tribute to one of Assam’s most revered leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 28-foot bronze statue of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi, the state’s first Chief Minister, at the newly inaugurated terminal of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI) on Saturday.
The statue has been sculpted by eminent artist Ram Sutar, who died on Wednesday at the age of 101. The statue is placed at the airport’s entry point, symbolically welcoming visitors to Assam, the gateway to Southeast Asia. The main statue is 18 feet tall, which has been placed on a 10 feet pedestal.
Gopinath Bordoloi was the architect of modern Assam and played a key role in saving Assam from merging with East Pakistan as part of Grouping policy of the British.
From one statesman to another!
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 20, 2025
A proud moment for Assam today as a grand statue of our first Chief Minister Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi is unveiled by Adarniya @narendramodi ji on the premises of Guwahati Airport.
Shraddheya Bardoloi dangoriya was the architect of modern Assam… pic.twitter.com/l2vwI6J6uK
“We exist today as proud Bharatiyas due to his unflinching efforts and we owe a lot to his leadership in giving rise to an aspirational Assam,” CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He said that the statue is a befitting tribute to the great leader and its placement right at the entry point to the gateway of South East Asia makes it even more special.
After unveilling the statue, PM Narendra Modi inagurated the stunning new terminal of Guwahati Airport, and then addressed the gathering present.
