Vice President C P Radhakrishnan visited Gauhati University on Monday and laid the foundation stone for a fresh round of campus construction, part of an infrastructure package worth Rs 110 crore.
What the money will build
The Rs 110 crore package funds a mix of brand new buildings and upgrades to existing ones on campus.
- A new academic building meant for multiple disciplines
- A new hostel for boys
- A modern dining mess
- A separate hostel for international students
- Renovation work at the seminar hall of the KKH Library
- Upgrade work at the Birinchi Kumar Barua Auditorium
- New residential quarters for the university's Grade-D staff
A university with a long history
Speaking at the event, Radhakrishnan reminded the gathering that Gauhati University holds a special place as the first university to come up in Northeast India. It was set up on January 26, 1948, the result of a public movement that counted Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi among its leading figures. Since then, the institution has grown into one of the region's premier centres of higher learning. It now holds a NAAC A+ accreditation and ranks ninth in the NIRF 2025 list among State Public Universities nationwide.
Praise for translation work and research
Radhakrishnan singled out the university's project to translate Tamil literary works into Assamese for praise, and said he would push universities in Tamil Nadu to take up translating Assamese books into Tamil in return, a step he framed as a way to deepen cultural and linguistic ties between the two regions.
He also praised the university's research work in several areas
- Studies on the Brahmaputra Basin
- Work on endangered languages and multilingualism
- Women's studies
- Environmental sustainability
- Indian Knowledge Systems
Calling the Brahmaputra an ecological, economic and civilisational force, he said research needs to address challenges at both the regional and national level.
Assam's development and two book releases
The Vice President also spoke about Assam's progress under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, pointing to gains in employment, investment, infrastructure, connectivity and education. During the programme, two books were released. One was Bhupen Hazarika: Hundred Years of a Wandering Songs, put together by editors Ankuran Dutta and Nani Gopal Mahanta. The other was a fifth edition, revised and expanded, of Chandrakanta Abhidhan. The event closed with a cultural performance by Gauhati University students showcasing Assam's cultural heritage.
