This Village of Assam Won't Celebrate Kati Bihu this time

Moran: It is Kati Bihu today. But this village of Moran will not be celebrating the festival which is one the three Bihus of Assam.

Abhayapuria Phatikasuwa village of Moran will not be celebrating Kati Bihu. The villagers will not be lighting the earthen lamps in the fields or in front of the tulsi plants (sacred basil). It is customary in Assam to light earthen lamps in agri fields and in front of the tulsi plants and pray for a good harvest at the onset of the Assamese month of Kati.

The villagers are not celebrating because almost 300 bighas of farm land is still under flood water. Instead of celebratory mood it is a sense of gloom and doom that has descended on the village.

"Since last year we have not been able to till our land due to water logging in our fields. There is no proper drainage system. The drain that was constructed in 2012-13 is not jammed and blocked due to lack of maintenance and upkeep. Flood water of neighbouring areas also flow in to our fields and village. We have no reason to celebrate," one of the villagers said.

Kati Bihu is celebrated on the first day of 'Kati' month of the Assamese calendar. It marks the emptiness in the granaries of an ordinary Assamese farmer's house. It is the only Bihu, where there are no celebrations, festivities or feasts. It is marked by lighting of the earthen lamps and prayers offered for a good harvest.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance, Health, Education and PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has conveyed their Kati Bihu wishes to all through Twitter.

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