Government of Assam on Monday provided one time financial assistance to Rongali Bihu celebration committees at an event orgainsed at Srimanta Sankaradev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

The program was attended and initiated by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. Representatives of committees were seen wearing traditional clothing at the event.

A total of five Bihu committees were presented with cheques amounting Rs 1.5 lakh as assistance from the government today.

Notably, the state government will provide assistance to 138 committees in Kamrup metropolitan district while another 142 committees from Kamrup rural district will receive the one-time assistance.

A total of 1,267 Bihu committees will receive the government’s one-time assistance, the formalities of which will be completed in the next three days.

Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma said, “The government is providing this assistance to committees who have been organising Bihu functions for over ten years.”

Urging people to refrain from using Power loom made ‘Gamusas’, he said, “No one will be allowed to use power loom gamusas. This instruction has been given to our government functions.”

The CM further said, “We have to associate Bihu to our cultural identity. There is a lack of people going to watch Bihu functions. We need more people to attend these functions.”

“Nowadays, people attach Bihu functions to artists’ names. We have to again make it a cultural event, though, being a festival, there should be certain differences,” he said.

CM Sarma added, “Bihu committees will have to take the responsibility of bringing back the glory of the festival. I urge every committee to form a Bihu team to overlook the management. We should work towards bringing back the old glory of Bihu with a modern touch.”

The CM also took to Twitter to inform about the event.