In a striking display of contrasting priorities on Wednesday morning, Assam’s X timelines witnessed an unusual split-screen moment from the state’s top leadership. While Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to the platform to announce crucial examination dates for lakhs of students, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu used the same hour to post a poetic tribute celebrating Assam’s 16th-century cultural treasure, the Vrindavani Vastra.
At 10:03 AM, the Chief Minister issued a formal update titled “Important Examination Update”, declaring that the HSLC (Matriculation) Examination 2026 will begin on February 10, followed by the Higher Secondary Final Examination 2026 from February 11.
“Wishing every student the very best for their upcoming examinations,” Sarma added, triggering an immediate wave of reactions from anxious students and parents across the state. 
Barely fifteen minutes later, at 10:18 AM, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu’s timeline told a very different story.
“বৃন্দাবনীয়া নামে বস্ত্ৰ অতি মনোহৰ। বুৱাইলা প্ৰবন্ধে তাক শ্ৰীমন্ত শংকৰ।।” he wrote a poetic line praising the legendary Vrindavani Vastra, often attributed to Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev’s tradition.
In a longer post, Pegu went on to applaud the Chief Minister for signing an understanding with the British Museum authorities in London to bring the 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra — a prized symbol of Assam’s cultural heritage back to the state.
“Assam’s symbol of heritage and pride, the Vrindavani Vastra, is coming home. We express our gratitude to Hon’ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa for this historic effort,” Pegu wrote.
The timing of the two posts led to a wave of amusement and commentary online, as the CM focused on examination schedules while the Education Minister highlighted cultural diplomacy and weaving traditions. The contrast comes at a time when the government is pushing both academic reforms and cultural revival initiatives simultaneously.
The Vrindavani Vastra — a rare and intricately woven 16th-century textile has been housed in the British Museum since 1903. CM Sarma, during his London visit last week, signed a Letter of Intent enabling the artifact’s return to Assam for an 18-month exhibition expected in 2027, a move widely hailed across the state.
While the CM’s exam announcement directly impacts over four lakh students preparing for crucial board examinations, Pegu’s celebration of the Vastra highlights the government’s parallel emphasis on cultural identity and heritage reclamation. Two ministers.
Two tweets.
Two completely different universes.
One reminder for students of their academic deadline.
The other reciting poetry like he’s auditioning for a heritage documentary.
Together, they stitched the perfect political fabric — a mixture of cultural pride and syllabus panic.
Assam didn’t just get exam dates and silk tweets today.
It got a digital drama where governance, culture, and comedy collided in fifteen minutes.
