BISWANATH CHARIALI, Dec 1 � The Biswanath Festival, 2012 was held successfully in Biswanath sub-division with a two-day programme on November 24 and 25 under the aegis of the sub-divisional administration in collaboration with the local people.
The programme began with flag hoisting by SDO (C), Biswanath and president, celebration committee, Narayan Konwar, which was followed by a colourful cultural procession taken out in Biswanath Chariali town.
The procession was flagged off by well-known actress of the State, Mridula Baruah. Around 16 elephants with ethnic cultural presentations representing various groups including Bhaona, Bihu, Jhumur, Zikir, Raas Leela, Gayan-Bayan, Adivasi, Bodo, Mising etc. dances drew huge crowds.
The exhibition and book fair was inaugurated at Kamalakanta Kshetra by Baldev Malakar, Director, Tourism. Malakar observed that the State possesses vast scope in the field of tourism that could earn huge revenue it. A boat race competition was held on the occasion at Biswanath Ghat in the river Brahmaputra. An exhibition football match and music competition were also held.
The second day�s programme started with a marathon race organised at Monabari and Kamalakanta Kshetra. Adventurous boating between Biswanath Ghat and the sixth extension of the Kaziranga National Park was arranged for visitors. Events like beach volleyball, kabaddi, tug of war, flying of kites along the bank of the Brahmaputra attracted huge crowds.
A felicitation and exchange of words programme was held at noon with well-known playwright Tarun Saikia in the chair. Veteran actor Padma Kairy, player Ramai Matak and child litterateur Dilip Kr Baruah were felicitated in the programme.
Simultaneously, a discourse on the topic �the contributions of the Satras towards the Assamese Culture� was held at Gangman Than, a Vaishnavite Satra set up by Sankardev at Majgaon, Borgang.
The closing ceremony was held at Kamala Kanta Kshetra. Law Minister Tanka Bahadur Rai released the souvenir, Mahapeeth. Journalists Manjit Mahanta and Mrinal Talukdar, MLA, Biswanath, Prabin Hazarika, ex-minister, Noorjamal Sarkar, Biswanath Municipality Chairman, Dilip Kr Baruah, Sonitpur Zila Parishad Chairman, Rupa Praja Sabar and others took part in the meeting.
