Guwahati: Referring to Bihu festival as a representation of rich cultural heritage belonging to Assamese community, State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday commented that the revered festival should be celebrated in a befitting manner across the State. Attending the ceremonial distribution of one-time financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh each to 2,114 Bihu celebration committees at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Sarma appreciated the initiative launched by the State cultural affairs department.
There is a significant difference between the manner in which Rongali Bihu was celebrated during the mediaeval period, especially during the Ahom era, and the manner in which it is celebrated now, and these changes with due course of time reflect the progressive nature of the Assamese society in general, stated Sarma. He regretted that due to lack of proper knowledge about ethnic heritages the younger generations are often seen indulging in fruitless debates and discussions on irrelevant topics on social media.
Appealing to the Bihu committees for utilising their platforms to spread the message of brotherhood and amity, Sarma also asked them to free their respective celebrations from the vices of alcohol and forceful donations. He exuded confidence that the Bihu committees shall from now onwards voluntarily desist from collection of donations for organising their respective celebrations. Sarma declared that from next year, the government shall take the initiative of reviving the Sat Bihu culture.
Earlier Sarma attended the ceremonial disbursement of a one-time financial assistance of Rs five lakh each to next-of-kin of 66 deceased contractual employees under the panchayat & rural development department. He expressed hope the financial assistance would be able to ameliorate at least some of the difficulties of the families belonging to deceased contractual employees.
