Guwahati News Desk: The Government of Assam celebrated “Brahmaputra Deepotsav” at the Old D.C. Bungalow – now known as Mahabahu Brahmputra River Heritage Centre in Panbazar, Guwahati today evening. The festival began around 6:00 PM.
This is in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call during “Mann ki Baat” on 26th September 2021, for holding River festivals (Nadi Utsav) across the country, for celebrating the importance of rivers in the lives of people.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was the Chief Guest on the occasion today. “Brahmaputra Deepotsav, Our reverence & tribute to the Brahmaputra.” reads a tweet by the Chief Minister today evening.
Brahmaputra Deepotsav ~ Our reverence & tribute to the Brahmaputra. We draw inspiration from Hon PM Sri @narendramodi who encourages us to celebrate our river civilization. Glad to join the festival at Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre in Guwahati with esteemed colleagues. pic.twitter.com/tlFeO1nzTs
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 3, 2021
Minister for the Department of Housing & Urban Affairs and Irrigation Ashok Singhal was the Guest of Honour. Alongside him, Queen Oja, Members of the Lok Sabha including Chandramohan Patowary, and a few MLAs were present on occasion.
The celebration is inspired by Ayodhya’s deepotsav that happens annually on the occasion of Diwali in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership. This year Ayodhya celebrates the fifth edition of the festival. And, to replicate the same Sarma-led Assam government induced its own Brahmaputra Deepotsav.
Today’s celebration was initiated by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC). This was ” to pay homage to the mighty river Brahmaputra as a symbol of our proud heritage and civilization”, reads a press release by GMC on Wednesday morning.