rime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, the first day of Rongali Bihu celebration, became a witness to the biggest ever conglomeration of Bihu dancers and drummers at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.
Just a day earlier, Assam scripted its name in the Guinness Records by staging the largest ever Bihu dance and largest dhol drum ensemble. The feat was achieved by 11,304 folk dancers and 2,548 drummers who performed at the same venue.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that anybody watching today’s (April 14, 2023) magnificent spectacle would never forget this in his lifetime.
“It is beyond imagination, it is phenomenal. This is Assam” the Prime Minister said adding, “The sound of dhols, pepas and gogonas can be heard all over India today. The efforts and synergy of thousands of artistes from Assam are being witnessed by the country as well as the world with great pride.”
The Prime Minister said that those present in today’s programme or watching it on TV can never forget this spectacle in their life. “It is unforgettable, wonderful and unprecedented,” said Mr Modi.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, he applauded the spirit and enthusiasm of the artistes. He also used the occasion to convey his greetings to the people of Assam and the country on Bihu and other festivals across the country coinciding with the day. He termed this as a reflection of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.
The Prime Minister lauded the people of Assam for carefully preserving their culture.
“Our festivals are not just a celebration of culture. Rather, they are also an inspiration to connect everyone and move forward together. This is the eternal spirit of Rongali (Bohag) Bihu. It is a festival of heart and soul for the people of Assam. It bridges every gap and erases every difference. It is the best symbol of harmony between man and nature. Therefore, no one can understand Bihu only in a literal sense. Rather, feelings are required to understand it. The same feeling comes from ‘Kopou Phool’ decorated in the hair of sisters and daughters, Muga silk, Mekhela Sador and Riha. This feeling is also felt in those special dishes prepared in every household today,” added the Prime Minister.
Mr Modi remarked that the speciality of India is its traditions which have been connecting every Indian together for thousands of years. He observed that the nation stood together as one against the dark times of slavery and suffered numerous inflictions on India’s culture and heritage. He emphasised that India remained immortal even though it saw numerous changes in powers and rulers who came and left. “The consciousness of every Indian is made from the soil and traditions of the country and it is also the foundation of a Viksit Bharat,” the Prime Minister said.
Recalling the song Biswa Bijoy Nojawan by cultural icon Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Mr Modi said that this song has become a source of inspiration for the youth of Assam and India. He sung a few lines of the song to a massive applause from those present. He explained that the song exhorts the youth of India to listen to the call of Mother India and be the agent of change. “This song was written when Independent India was the biggest dream. Today, when we are free, Viksit Bharat is the biggest dream,” the Prime Minister exclaimed, calling upon the youth of India and Assam to move forward and open the doors of a developed India.
Talking about cultural connectivity, PM Modi gave the example of the grand celebration of the 400th year of the great Assamese warrior Lachit Barphukan in Delhi.
“Today the connection is being deepened between all forms of thought and culture,” he said. He referred to Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s visit to Madhavpur Mela and said that this bond of Krishna Rukmani connects North East to Western India. He also hailed the GI tag status to Muga Silk, Tezpur Lesu (litchi), Joha Rice, Boka Chaul, Kaji Nemu and Gamosa.
The Assam Chief Minister received the Guinness Record certificate of “Largest Bihu dance’’ and the “Largest dhol drum ensemble” in the presence of the Prime Minister.’’
The Prime Minister also moved around the venue in a modified battery-operated vehicle and interacted with some Bihu dancers.
