Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday rejected the concepts of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, describing them as Western labels and saying Assam should develop its own approach to youth and development.
Addressing an Independence Day gathering in Guwahati after hoisting the national flag, Sarma said students should not be viewed through generational categories.
"I don't believe in the concept of Gen Z or Gen Alpha. It is a Western concept. For us, the students are not Gen Z or Gen Alpha but our own son and daughter," he said.
The chief minister announced that the state would create a separate department focused on skill development and youth empowerment, aimed at preparing young people for employment and other opportunities.
Sarma said Assam should draw on its own social and cultural traditions rather than simply adopt development models from elsewhere. He described this approach as an "Assam model" of governance that combines development and technology with the state's cultural outlook.
He outlined plans to invest about Rs 1.5 lakh crore over the next five years in roads, education, urban development, rural infrastructure and other sectors. According to Sarma, Rs 1 lakh crore is expected from the Centre and Rs 50,000 crore from the state government.
The chief minister also announced plans for a satellite city, eight new sub-districts and another edition of Khel Maharan. He said the government would provide free treatment for 50 critical diseases affecting children.
On child marriage, Sarma said more than 11,000 people had been arrested in Assam over the past five years and indicated that further action would follow. He also reiterated the government's opposition to polygamy and said measures would be introduced to protect the rights of first wives.
Sarma said residents who have lived for three generations in 40 revenue circles would be allowed to purchase land, a move he said would strengthen the land rights of indigenous communities.
Referring to recent floods, he said the government would undertake rehabilitation and restoration efforts and expected to have a clear assessment of property losses by September 10.
The chief minister also urged communities and language groups in Assam to identify their language as Assamese in the upcoming census, saying it would strengthen the state's linguistic identity.