Karimganj district of Assam will now be called ‘Shri Bhoomi’, CM Sarma announced

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the state government has changed the name of Karimganj district to Shribhoomi. He said that the new name was given by Rabindranath Tagore. Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Twitter that the new name means land of Goddess Lakshmi.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “More than 100 years ago, Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore had described the modern Karimganj district of Assam as ‘Shrebhoomi’ – the land of Mother Lakshmi. Today the Assam Cabinet has fulfilled this long-standing demand of our people. “has been completed.” A poster shared by him said that his government wants to restore the old glory of the southernmost district of Assam.

Over a 100 years ago, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore had described modern day Karimganj District in Assam as ‘Sribhumi’- the land of Maa Lakshmi.

Today the #AssamCabinet has fulfilled this long standing demand of our people. pic.twitter.com/VSN8Bnyv8N

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 19, 2024

Why was this decision taken?

Assam Cabinet said, “Honoring the vision of poet Guru Rabindranath Tagore, who named the present geographical area of ​​undivided India as Shribhoomi, the Assam Cabinet has decided to change the name of Karimganj to Shribhoomi District. This decision is for the benefit of the people of the district. Will reflect expectations and aspirations.”

‘The name Karimganj does not appear in Assamese or Bengali dictionaries’

Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We are gradually changing the names of those places which do not have historical mention or dictionary meaning.” He told that the word ‘Kalapahad’ does not appear in Assamese or Bengali dictionaries, nor does ‘Karimganj’. Place names are usually rooted in linguistic meaning and many such names have already been modified, including several villages like Bhasoni Chowk in Barpeta.”

‘More names may be changed soon’

He said that changing the name of Karimganj will preserve the cultural context as the new name has meaning in both Assamese and Bengali dictionaries. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that more places can be renamed to reflect the history and linguistic roots of Assam.

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