GUWAHATI: Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) released a new textbook on Bihu on December 24.
The new textbook titled 'Asomor Bihu Utsav' has been introduced to raise awareness and knowledge among the students about the culture and tradition associated with the festival of Bihu.
The higher secondary first year students (HS) of current year will be able to opt this paper as an elective subject. The subject will carry total 100 marks—30 in theories, 70 in practical exams.
The syllabus and lessons have been prepared by the likes of Jaykanta Gandhia, Khagen Gogoi and Ismail Hossain.
Moreover, AHSEC has decided to introduce 27 vocational subjects from the next academic session as well.
It may be noted that Sattriya dance, one of the eight principal classical Indian dance, is already an elective subject in the HS Arts Stream.
The textbook was released by noted scholar Dr. Hemanta Kumar Barua at a meeting which was also presided over by AHSEC secretary Dr. Ramesh Chandra Chutia.
Assam Agricultural University extension officer Dr. Pradip Neog, writer Ismail Hossain, Bihu experts Pabitra Phukan, Hem Gogoi, Ranjit Gogoi, Dr. Amarendra Gogoi, Prabin Kumar Saikia and Somnath Bora also attended the meeting.
The introduction of Bihu as a subject in the HS level will also benefit the students in taking Performing Arts as a subject at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, says a statement issued by AHSEC.
Bihu is a festival associated with the rich cultural heritage of Assam. The syllabus, as per the AHSEC statement, will deal with how the modern form of Bihu has evolved from its indigenous roots.
Students choosing the subject will have to attend the syllabus- a mixture of both theory and practical lessons which will comprise of 100 marks.
Meanwhile, 'Accountancy' and 'Business Studies' will be considered as elective subjects in Commerce stream.
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