Assam will host its first river festival- Namami Brahmaputra at the riverfront of Brahmaputra in Guwahati from 31 March to 4 April 2017.
The decision was announced by Assam’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal himself. The state’s government has invited India’s President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Ambassadors of all the countries and all Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries to participate in the mega event.
The 5-day festival aims to promote the state’s economy, culture, art, tourism, skill industry, investment option, trade, commerce and heritage.
Namami Brahmaputra, which means “Obeisance to the Brahmaputra”, will showcase the grandeur of the river and the land it flows through.
It will be spread across 21 districts of Assam.
The international event would feature traditional Assamese sports, cultural performances, business meets, exhibitions, seminars and symposiums, river ecosystem zones and interpretation events.
It would also feature a film festival, comprising the screening of leading Assamese films.
Other events include tea festival, river cruises, rafting, visits to tea gardens and programmes related to history, tradition and legends of Assam.
A group of government officials will be visiting all the state capitals and major cities as a part of the festival to create a positive image of the state beforehand.
Through the festival, the state government basically aims to expose the tourists from both India and abroad to Assam’s rich legacy and splendour and represent it as a viable tourist destination on the world map.
Apart from this, the government also hopes to create an environment that would reconnect the people with their roots and rejuvenate the Brahmaputra civilisation.
