The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has announced plans to build a swimming pool at Dibrugarh University in Assam following a student’s request during an official visit. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made the announcement while attending the ‘Khelo India Dialogue’ event at the university. The decision also includes a commitment to send the university’s top-performing athletes on a national sports excursion.
The announcement came after a student raised the practical need for swimming facilities, pointing out that Dibrugarh and nearby areas face regular flood threats. The student asked whether the university could teach swimming as both a sport and a life skill. Sonowal responded by committing to develop a swimming pool on campus immediately.
What the announcement includes
- A swimming pool to be built within Dibrugarh University campus
- The facility will serve both competitive training and teach water safety skills
- Dibrugarh University’s best-performing athletes will participate in a national sports excursion to experience premier training facilities and high-performance coaching practices
- The initiative aligns with the government’s broader focus on sports development through schemes like Khelo India and Fit India
Sonowal stated that in a flood-prone region, learning to swim represents more than athletic pursuit. It provides essential life safety skills alongside structured sports training. He emphasised that the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi prioritises integrating sports into educational institutions across Assam and the Northeast to create pathways for young talent.
Indian football legend Baichung Bhutia was present at the event and addressed students on the value of sports in building healthy communities. The programme also featured Prime Minister Modi addressing nearly eight lakh youth nationally on sports’ role in developing a strong and self-reliant India.
What this means for you
If you are a student at Dibrugarh University, a swimming pool will become available on campus, giving you access to both competitive swimming training and water safety education suited to the region’s flooding risks. Top athletes from the university will gain exposure to national-level training standards and coaching, potentially opening doors to higher sporting achievement. The announcement signals that practical student suggestions are being heard and acted upon by government officials visiting educational institutions.