FROM A CORRESPONDENT
LBARI, Jan 29: The sixth Indo-Bhutan friendship mela-cum-64th Subankhata Magh mela began at Subankhata in Baksa district of Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) today with a variety of programmes.
The week-long mela will showcase the culture and traditions of both the countries.
“Apart from cultural dances like the Bhutan mask dance, Bodo kherai dance, Assamese Bihu, traditiol dances of the Rabhas and Adivasis, dhulia bhao, stalls serving both Bhutanese and local traditiol Assamese cuisine were also set up,” said Pramod Boro, president of the Indo-Bhutan friendship mela.
“Cuisine and culture, which are the best ways to build bridges, will play an important role in the Indo-Bhutan mela,” he said, adding that craft bazaar and trade expo were the other highlights of the mela.
The tiol flags of both India and Bhutan were hoisted by Baksa deputy commissioner M. Hazarika and his counterpart in Bhutan’s Sandrup Jongkar, Dasho Dzongdag, as part of the mela. A photo exhibition, showcasing the cordial relations between the two tions, was iugurated by BTC executive member Ansuma Khunggur Boro.
Saying that the mela will cement relations between the people of the two countries, Norbu Wangdi, general secretary of Bhutan-India Friendship Association, said, “People on either side of the border have been on close terms since ages and it is expected that the mela will strengthen ties among the citizens of the two neighbouring countries.”
He said the mela would also boost trade relations between India and Bhutan. Senior officials of Bodo-land Territorial Council (which governs the BTAD) and Bhutan took part in the opening ceremony. The mela will continue till February 3.