COVID-19 guidelines: Token Rongali Bihu in Assam
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: It’s a token Rongali Bihu, right from Goru Bihu tomorrow. In sync with the COVID-19 guidelines from the State administration, the performance will be reduced to a bare minimum – just hoisting the Bihu Flag by five or less people and singing ‘Srimoi Axomir Sheetal Bukut Uthe…’
Earlier the Rangali Bihu was limited in certain areas in the State in 1983 because of the Assam Agitation. And COVID-19 is the second such incident when the people of the State have been compelled to compromise with their cultural tradition.
Talking to The Sentinel, All Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani Coordination Committee adviser Kailash Sarma said, “We’ve already taken a decision to hold the Rongali Bihu in Guwahati only on the first day, that too, with just hoisting the Bihu flag. We’ve also requested other Bihu committees to conclude the Bihu functions with the flag hoisting only. Now we’re to follow the guidelines issued by the State administration.”
Sarma, who is also associated with Latasil Bihu Sanmilan, the oldest and first-ever Bihu on stage, said, “On earlier occasions, we refrained from holding Bihu functions in 1983 during the Assam Agitation here at Latasil.We had to conclude just by hoisting the Bihu flag. It was followed by many other Bihu committees.”
Sarma said that around 60 Rongali Bihu functions are held in Guwahati and over 1,000 such functions are held all over the State.