Assam Republic Day Tableau Yet To Get MoD Nod

GUWAHATI: Assam tableau for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi has been clogged into a logjam yet again, this time around for a technical fault. October 2 this year being the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, a decision was taken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to adopt tableaux of themes relating to Gandhiji for the Republic Day in 2019. In sync with this decision, the State Directorate of Cultural Affairs depicted Gandhiji’s activities at Assam textile town Sualkuchi, known as the Manchester of the East. During his 1946 visit to Sualkuchi in Assam Gandhiji did say: “The women of Assam can weave dreams.”

The tableau of the State has been named – Mahatma Gandhi at the Manchester of East – Sualkuchi.” However, even after three rounds of meeting of the MoD for the selection of the tableaux, the tableau of Assam has not got nod as yet. According to sources in the Directorate, the approval of the State tableau is delayed due to some technical faults.

However, State Cultural Minister Naba Kumar Doley said: “We were asked to depict a theme related to Mahatma Gandhi. Accordingly, we have depicted Gandhiji’s visit to Sualkuchi. Even as the third round for the selection of tableaux is going on today, our tableau is yet to be approved by the ministry. It happens that when there are technical problems in tableaux, they are given nod by bringing some changes. We still keep our hopes alive for the approval to our tableaux.”

In was on August 23 this year that the MoD sent its letter to Assam seeking a tableau related to Gandhiji. The letter also had a list of illustrative themes on Gandhiji. The list, however, does not have any illustration for Assam.

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