Speaking at function organised to present the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial awards for 2008 and 2009 for National Integration to eminent journalist MJ Akbar and Gandhian Hem Bharali here, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that peace and harmony are a pre-requisite for meaningful development. He said that Assam has witnessed turbulent times in the recent past. He said, it is to the credit of the people of this State that they have been able to successfully combat fissiparous forces. Dr. Singh expressed happiness over meeting the representatives of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam, ULFA. He mentioned that a number of initiatives have been taken by both the Central and the State Government towards this end.
The Prime Minister also unveiled the foundation stone of the Guwahati Water Supply Project.