Karbis have immense contributions to great Assamese society: Sonowal

While inaugurating the 43rd Karbi Youth Festival at Taralangsho near Diphu in Karbi Anglong district, the Assam CM said that Karbis have limitless contributions towards greater Assamese society. The art and culture of Karbis have strengthened the cultural life of Assam.

“Way back in 1974 two youths namely Jansingh Terang and Roy Eanghi at Karbi Club donned the responsibility of organising the first ever Karbi Youth Festival and since then the festival has assumed an altogether different dimension. Since the very beginning this festival has been spreading a conducive cultural message,” Sonowal said.

Referring to Assamese music maestro Dr Bhupen Hazarika who once said that work is the identity of the Karbis, work is the worship of the Karbis and this festival has the potential of projecting the culture of Karbi Anglong on the global stage, Sonowal said that the Karbi Youth Festival would take Karbi Anglong at the global arena.   

The Assam CM also said that the present State Government is attaching topmost priority to the infrastructural development of Karbi Anglong as the government is taking several steps for the development of health care delivery system including communication system int he district.

“The state government is also considering actively to build a helipad to facilitate tourist inflow in the district. Moreover, an auditorium will also be built for the promotion of cultural activities in the district,” Sonowal said.

“Biggest district in the State, Karbi Anglong is full of possibilities and with the application of modern science and technology, government would take steps for the development of the district,” Sonowal said.

He called upon the youths of the district to work with utmost diligence to facilitate development of Karbi Anglong for the overall development of Assam.

Sonowal said that Karbis have made the greater Assamese culture fertile.

Acknowledging the contribution of the people of Karbi Anglong, Sonowal said that eminent litterateur Rong Bong Terang contributed immensely for enriching the literature of the State. Nature’s paradise Karbi Anglong should be kept out of the scourge of pollution as he reiterated to increase the green coverage and plant more saplings.

Terming that agriculture is the base of culture and civilisation, Sonowal said that the soil of Karbi Anglong is very fertile.

To make good use of the soil fertility, Sonowal advocated for multiple cropping to make the District and State’s economy strong.

Paying tributes to the cultural icon Rang Sina, the Assam CM said that making this icon as a role model, the people of Karbi Anglong will have to work to speed up the overall development of the State.

He also urged the Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Rohang to make the use of the existing harmony and cordiality to expedite the development of Karbi Anglong.

Sonowal said that the State Government is fully aware of challenges and prospects of Sixth Scheduled Areas, as the Government is taking several steps to stimulate development of these areas. This year’s budget has made nearly 20 per cent more budgetary allocation for the development of the sixth scheduled areas.

It may be noted that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal happens to be first Chief Minister to attend the Karbi Youth Festival.

Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Naba Kumar Dolley also spoke on the occasion.

MLAs Joyram Engleng, Dr Mansing Rongpi, Sum Ronghang, Secretary ABVP Hari Robikar, Shantanu Bharali along with a host of dignitaries were present on the occasion.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)