24x7 Bihu

Rongali Bihu is almost upon us, spring is very much in the air while the rain clouds are beginning to open up. Thanks to the TV channels though, Bihu fever has been rising for well over a month now. In fact, there are Bihu dance reality shows on the small screen going on since December and now about to end, only to give way to newer editions that will likely last till after the rains. Markets in the State are awash with Chi-made Bihu accessories, while the authorities here will doubtless launch hot chases against powerloom manufactured gamosas from other States, and likely get nowhere as in past years. Much has been said about the commercialisation of this once-agricultural festival — which now appears an inevitable outcome of the times. But let us fervently hope that the Bihu organisers will stick to ratiol timings this year, because in past years, tragic accidents have claimed the lives of many Bihu artistes returning home from shows in the wee hours. With Bihu sanmilans already going the puja pandal way of getting bigger and prohibitively costlier by the year, can we pray for Bihu organisers who reserve a part of the collections to carry out cleanliness drives in their localities and for creating some productive assets?