Namami Brahmaputra: Was it really needed to organize the festival?

Does the Brahmaputra Valley really need the so-called biggest river festival ‘Namami Brahmaputra’ spending crores of rupees of taxpayers’ money? Does the Son of Brahma really wish worshiping in His me to bless the masses residing in His valley?

Of course, He doesn’t! He does only wants His basic needs, the FOOD (free flowing snow-fed water without any disturbance from Chi and India), the CLOTHES (the embankments on both the banks and under-garments for Majuli) and the SHELTER (deep river bed to accommodate huge water-mass so as not to disturb His valley) to be fulfilled. These basic needs are needed to be solved more urgently rather than emphasising on short-term enjoyment, like organizing of ‘mami Brahmaputra’ river festival. That’s all!

Our self-styled proud public representatives should rather concentrate on adopting scientific approaches to make the Brahmaputra and its culturally diversified valley world famous, instead of emphasising on going back to imagiry and pre-historic beliefs ‘mami’ (of which, there is no justification with believable example). The so-med ‘mami Brahmaputra’ river festival will in no way introduce Brahmaputra Valley to the outer world better than our very own Dr. Bhupen Hazarika tried and did. So, we need not waste money and manpower for further introduction of ‘Burha Lohit’ to the outer world. Rather, we have some more urgent works in this regard. It would have been worthy to spend the money allocated for ‘mami Brahmaputra’ in purchasing some machine boats to be used for disaster magement during the forthcoming floods in Brahmaputra Valley (which is knocking at the door). Rather, we should emphasise on fulfilling the basic needs of ‘Burha Lohit’ scientifically to make Brahmaputra Valley unique in the world. So, let us accomplish our urgent works in this regard without being late. The Brahmaputra will then automatically be known to all. And, we will not need to worry about introducing our ‘Burha Lohit’ to the outer world.

Therefore, let us spend money honestly to prevent further shrinkage (from 1,250 sq km in 1900 to 352 sq km in 2014) of our biggest river island, Majuli (the vulnerable baby of Brahmaputra). Our present CM as the representative of Majuli will have to bear more responsibility for his own constituency Majuli to save it from extinction from the physical map of Assam. Otherwise, history in the days to come will not forgive him. The time is very short (only 4 years from now) for him to initiate something fruitful to protect the dignity of his Majuli as well as Brahmaputra Valley. For this, he can openly access the help of expert inputs from concerned scientists without wasting time in organizing the aborigil mami festival. It will be better for him to adapt to ever-changing ture (as opined by great Darwin) for the future, rather than going back to prehistoric period of praying to God for all troubles. Chief Minister Sir, please do try solving the contemporary burning problems of Brahmaputra Valley rather than waiting for these to be solved by Almighty God’s blessings. We, the people, are with you for help, if needed. For example: if the Netherlands Flood Control Authority can protect Zuidplaspolder, which is 7 metres below mean sea level, why can’t we protect our Majuli and Brahmaputra Valley, scientifically and make our very own Assam unique for the whole world? Of course, honesty is a must for this and our Brahmaputra Board should be woken up from its deep sleep as well.

Dr Mabendra Deka,

Ph.D. (Agri), PDF (Forest Product)

Scientist, RMRS, BOKO

Central Silk Board

Kamrup-781123,Assam.