'Will Increase Patronage Of Assam's Indigenous Products': CM Himanta Sarma Performs Bhumi Pujan Of Unity Mall

After performing the Bhumi Pujan, Chief Minister Sarma said that the mall will help in displaying Assam’s indigenous handicrafts and the GI-tagged products which will also increase their patronage.

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday performed the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ of the Unity Mall at the Betkuchi area of Guwahati.

The mall, built involving an outlay of Rs 298 crore, is the brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who seeks to promote the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ through promoting made-in-India products.

The decision to implement the project was taken in July 2023 while the Assam government turned it into reality with the Bhumi Pujan of the mall today.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced in the Union Budget last year that all the states of the country will be encouraged to set up a Unity Mall in their respective state capitals or the most prominent tourism centres or financial capitals for promotion and sale of their own ‘One District One Product,’ Geographical Indication (GI) products, and other handicraft products, the Chief Minister’s public relations cell said in a statement.

After performing the Bhumi Pujan, Chief Minister Sarma said that the mall will help in displaying Assam’s indigenous handicrafts and the GI-tagged products which will also increase their patronage.

“The mall will have designated areas for all the districts and other states to display and sell their unique creative works. It will showcase the made-in-India products. Moreover, the auditorium and amphitheatre to be featured in the mall will enable the entrepreneurs to engage in discussion with regard to their products and trades and enhance their business proposition. The yoga and meditation centres in the mall will also address wellness aspects of the entrepreneurs,” Chief Minister Sarma added.

The Unity Mall in Guwahati is being built under Part-VI of the ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’ at the backyard of the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre with an area measuring 18,259.3 square metres.

The shopping centre will have 35 commercial stalls for states and union territories with adequate and uniform spaces. There will be another 35 uniform-sized commercial stalls with adequate space for the 35 districts of Assam. Food courts, serving Assamese delicacies and cuisines of other states, will also be a part of the mall, the release added.