Bihu should not transform into cultural extravaganza: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged Bihu committees to ensure that Bohag Bihu does not transform into a cultural extravaganza. "We should not lose the essence of Bihu. Rather, we should make concerted efforts to pass on the rich tradition and culture of Bihu to our younger generation," said the Chief Minister.

The Assam Government today gave a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh each to 1,265 Bohag Bihu committees to organize Bihu functions. Out of these, 138 Bihu committees are from Kamrup district and 142 from Kamrup (metro) district. The grant was given during a function held at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra.

The Chief Minister, while addressing the members of the Bihu committees at the function, said, "Bihu committees must take steps to make the younger generation embrace the essence of Bihu. Don't keep waiting for the government to do everything.

"Bihu committees can organize husori and other workshops to train the youths in the respective areas. This will get a large number of youths involved and such workshops will help them understand the true culture of Bihu. The young generation nowadays looks forward to the Bihu festival only to enjoy the cultural programmes where popular artistes perform. But Bihu should not become a cultural extravaganza. We should uphold the tradition of Bihu and preserve our culture.

"If we take a look at the State Assembly, we can understand how long an Axomiya government will last in Assam. Under such circumstances, it becomes even more important for the young generation to stick to their roots and uphold our cultural values."

The grant of Rs 1.5 lakh was given today to Bihu , Himanta Biswa Sarma , cultural extravaganzaorganizing committees that are at least 10 years old and which hold Bihu functions in the first week of the Bohag month.

The Chief Minister said that Bihu functions should not extend beyond seven days because the longer the functions continue, the businessmen start feeling the pinch. He said, "Bihu festivities should be organized without taking donation from businessmen forcefully. If businessmen are pressurized to give donation, they will start losing respect for the Bihu festival. Rather, Bihu committees should try to get them involved in the festivities."

He also reiterated that only hand-woven gamusas should be used during Bihu celebration and laru and pitha should be served as snacks. "The idea is to bring back the true essence of the Bihu festival," said Sarma.

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