New Assam Ministers Hazarika and Borah Share Their Vision, Duties and Hopes for the State

When the new cabinet was sworn in last week, a wave of curiosity swept across Assam. Who are the faces behind the fresh portfolios? What will they actually do once the dust settles? Two of the most talked‑about names—Hazarika and Borah—sat down for a candid chat, and they didn’t hold back.

Hazarika, who now shoulders the Education and Skill Development department, opened with a sigh that sounded part excitement, part anxiety. “Honestly, it’s a huge responsibility,” he admitted, a hint of a smile breaking through. “We have schools that need better infrastructure, teachers who need more training, and kids who deserve opportunities that match their dreams.” He went on to explain that his first steps will involve a rapid audit of existing schools, followed by a push for digital classrooms—though he cautioned that “technology alone won’t solve everything; it needs teachers who are ready and resources that actually reach the remote villages.”

Switching gears, Borah, newly appointed Minister for Water Resources and Rural Development, leaned back and chuckled. “You know, after years in the field, I’ve seen more irrigation channels dry up than I’d like to count,” he said. He described his plan to launch a statewide water‑conservation task force, something he called “a mix of old‑school engineering and modern community‑led monitoring.” Borah stressed that community involvement would be key—“people who draw water every day know the problems best, so their voices must shape the solutions.”

Both ministers emphasized that they’re not just looking at their own ministries in isolation. “Everything is linked,” Hazarika noted, referencing how education outcomes tie directly to agricultural productivity, which is, of course, Borah’s playground. Borah agreed, adding that better water management can keep schools open year‑round, eliminating those dreaded monsoon closures that plague rural pupils.

Of course, challenges loom large. Assam still grapples with flooding, unemployment, and the ever‑present demand for better connectivity. Hazarika confessed that “we’ll need to juggle short‑term fixes with long‑term reforms,” while Borah warned that “political will alone isn’t enough; we need consistent funding and transparent execution.” Both men, however, radiated a cautious optimism—a belief that, with the right mix of grassroots input and state‑level support, real progress is possible.

When asked about personal motivations, Hazarika’s eyes softened. “I grew up in a small village where the nearest school was a two‑hour walk. I want every child to have that journey cut short.” Borah, meanwhile, spoke of his own family’s struggles during a bad flood season, saying, “I’ve seen the loss, I’ve felt the fear—now I’m here to make sure others don’t have to.”

In the end, the conversation felt less like a scripted press briefing and more like two friends swapping stories over a cup of tea, each aware of the weight of the caps on their heads but also of the possibilities that lie ahead. As Assam watches these new leaders take their first steps, the hope is that their words will translate into actions that truly matter to the people they serve.