'Assam government could aid Bihu committees'

Organizers welcome CM's appeal to shun donations

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Prominent Bihu celebration committees of the city have welcomed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's call for organizing Bihu functions without collecting donations from traders, but sought the Government's assistance to continue celebration of the foremost cultural festival of Assam.

Talking to The Sentinel, Kailash Sarma, adviser of the Latasil Bihu Sanmilani, mentioned that the urban Bihu functions started in Assam at the Latasil ground in 1952 through an initiative taken by some noted personalities. He said that since Bohag Bihu is the centuries-old cultural backbone of the people of Assam.

While agreeing with the Chief Minister's advice to curtail collection of donations for bihu functions, Kailash Sarma appealed to the Government to provide annual funds to the oldest Bihu organizing committees of the State. In this context, he mentioned that when the incumbent Chief Minister was the Finance Minister under the then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, funds were granted to various shrines, xatras etc., which were at least 50 years old. The same kind of assistance can be provided to prominent Bihu organizing committees, he said.

Sarma pointed out that many corporate houses are not spending their due share of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and suggested that the State Government should take an initiative to ensure that a part of such funds are provided annually to deserving Bihu organizing committees of Assam.

On the other hand, Rajen Bora, president of the Greater Guwahati Bihu Coordination Committee, said that they are also opposed to forcible collection of donations for Bihu functions. He said that their Bihu functions are organized with funds provided voluntarily by people. Many people come and hand over their donations personally, he said, adding that some other people take offence if they are not asked to contribute their mite for organizing Bihu functions.

Bora said that sponsors come of their own volition to provide funds to the popular Bihu committees of the State.

He further said that Bihu functions should be restricted to the month of Bohag. They have already appealed to various Bihu organizing committees to refrain from organizing any function beyond this month.

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