GUWAHATI, April 12 - Root Bridge, an advocacy group for ethical and responsible travels, in association with the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and ESAF, the Small Savings Bank, is conducting a daylong cultural immersion programme in River Island Majuli on April 14.
The cultural Immersion programme, titled �Majuli on Cycle� is a daylong programme that presents the soul of the river island to the visitors through bicycle ride to various destinations of the Majuli to experience the culture of Mising people, the Vaishnavite traditions, the art of mask making at Chamaguri Sattra, the ancient pottery art of people living at Salmora village, agricultural and fishing practices followed in the island, local cuisine, etc.
As �Majuli on Cycle� coincides with Assam�s most colourful festival Rongali Bihu, the organisers have also included a visit to a Mising village where visitors can witness as well as join hands with the locals in giving the traditional bath to the cattle. In the evening, the visitors can also enjoy the colourful Bihu dance performed by a local troupe.
The visitors and participants will also be accompanied by expert storytellers of Root Bridge, who would explain to them the minutes about the places, people, cultures and environment to generate awareness among the tourists as well as the locals about the rich heritage of the river island.
�The basic intention of the initiative is to promote and popularize carbon-free ride in the river island and to create a model for sustainable tourism, aimed at preservation of culture, ecology, environment and making it beneficial for the local community at the same time,� a Root Bridge spokesperson told The Assam Tribune.
Majuli Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Nimbalkar will flag off the �Majuli on Cycle� at 6 am on Friday from Garamur.
Root Bridge has also decided to honour one of the unsung heroes of the region, who has contributed significantly towards the art and culture of the region, thereby promoting the travel and tourism industry of the region.
In this regard, Root Bridge will confer the annual Root Bridge Award 2017 to Bogai Bora Ojah, one of the prominent dhol exponents in Majuli for his contribution to the culture of the river island. Born at Kamargaon area of Majuli in 1937, Bogai Bora Ojah is trained by one of Assam�s prominent cultural icons and dhol exponent, the late Moghai Ojah.
Bogai Ojah (80) has played a crucial role in popularizing the dhol in various parts of Assam and has hundreds of disciples, who have been playing the dhol and performing to different audiences across the State.
