Assam govt striving to take Bihu to world stage

The Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government is leaving no stone unturned to make the upcoming Bihu event in Guwahati the greatest spectacle in terms of congregation, and to make an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.

The event to be held at Sarusajai Indoor Stadium in Guwahati will be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official statement said here on Wednesday.

Invitations are being extended to the Governors, Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, diplomats of G20 and ASEAN countries, and other dignitaries for the big event, it said.

"The CM has been monitoring the preparations to the minutest details so that Bihu, the lifeline of Assamese culture is known to the whole world," said a senior state government official privy to the development.

Taking to Twitter, Sarma said, "Preparations are in full swing for 14 April, when over 11,000 Bihu dancers will create history by performing together at Sarusajai Stadium in august presence of PM Narendra Modi ji.
Reviewed arrangements at the venue and asked officials to make the event truly memorable."

Hoardings have come up in the waiting sheds of bus stops in prominent places of the national capital welcoming everyone to join in the biggest Bihu festival and to create history together. Even in the yellow and blue lines of Delhi Metro, all the coaches have been wrapped up in Bihu hoardings. Hoardings can be seen on the major roads leading to the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

This upcoming event comes close on the heels of the concluding function of the year-long 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Ahom General Lachit Barphukan in the national capital in November last year.
Not only in Delhi-NCR, the Government has also launched publicity in a big way in Mumbai and Kolkata metropolises, even in Metro trains.

Vinod Dikshit, who was waiting at a bus stop at Chanakyapuri where hoardings have been splashed all over, said, "I have heard something about Bihu festivity of Assam which coincides with other festivities like Baisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu, Poila Boishak, etc. But my knowledge was little. Now, I started surfing the internet and gathered a wealth of information on it and also how the Assam Government is making efforts to make the Bihu event a spectacular one by finding a place of pride in the Guinness Book."

Observed on April 14-15 every year, Rongali or Bohag Bihu which heralds the Assamese New Year is widely celebrated across Assam, and other parts of states. The Assamese celebrate Bihu thrice a year, which signify the distinct cycles of farming - Bhogali/Magh Bihu (January), Bohag/Rongali Bihu (April), and Kongali Bihu (October).

(With UNI inputs)