By Hantigiri Narzary
Kokrajhar (Assam),Jan 7 : The 4th edition of Dwijing Festival is going on peacefully and enthusiastically at Khagrabari, Aie River bank near Hagrama Bridge in Chirang district where lakhs of visitors from across the country are enjoying one of the the biggest river festivals of the region.
The traditional food, exhibition, elephant rides, horse rides , boating , colourful cultural extravaganza, helicopter rides , hot balloons , para-motoring, boxing competition and Khomlainai (Traditional Bodo wrestling) etc are adding colour to the extravaganza .
Assam minister for Finance and Health & Family Welfare development,Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday visited the Dwijing Festival and gave away the prizes of North East(NE) zone boxing competition to the winners.
Later, he addressed a public meeting in the at the festival venue .
Dr Sarma said that the huge crowd during the ongoing Dwijing Festival at Aie River bank in Chirang district is a clear indication of peaceful coexistence of people in the region. He said that while other parts of the state is witnessing huge protest programmes against the CAA but people of Bodoland Territorial Council( BTC) region are maintaining peace and unity which clearly implies that the people of this area want peace and not uproar, adding that CAA will not bring harm to the people of the state as the government of India will ensure protection of all indigenous people of the state .
Sarma added that Dwijing Festival can be now be considered to be at par with the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland as the Festival is not confined within the state and the country but its popularity has reached outside the country which is clearly evident with visitors from different countries participating in the festival . He said peace was of utmost importance for all round development and promotion of tourism in the state .
Later ,talking to the media, Sarma said the Dwijing Festival would be part of the state calendar of events and the concerned ministry would notify soon . He also said the state government has extended a financial grant of Rs. 6 crore for the Dwijing Festival for promotion of tourism sector and is sowing the expected results.
When asked regarding the BJP’s role in the forthcoming BTC election this year, the minister said the relations between the BJP, AGP and BPF is very cordial . He said BJP has also decided to field candidates in the council election but it will not be forceful.
The party will field candidates only in the constituencies which would be left by the BPF president Hagrama Mohilary for the BJP, adding that the party has taken this decision to ensure that the people’s support is strengthened and more seats for BPF and BJP combine candidates.
The function was also attended by BTC Deputy Chief Kampa Borgoyary, Assam Tourism Minister Chandan Brahma, BTC Principal Secretary BC Phukan and others.
