DIBRUGARH, April 4 - Nature played spoilsport, as the curtains drew to a close at the Namami Brahmaputra celebrations here. A gush of water on a depressed section of the sandbar brought an abrupt end to the festivities since last evening. Sundry vehicles and equipment were marooned and these were later removed to safety by NDRF and SDRF personnel, along with locals and policemen.
As the festival ground became marooned, the authorities had to shift the venue of the concluding ceremony to the community hall of the Dibrugarh Municipal Board.
Today being Ashokasthami, thousands of citizens thronged the Brahmaputra riverfront. Many of them took a holy dip in the river. The traditional Ashokasthami mela was also held at the river bank near the Judicial Courts campus and thousands of customers were seen making the rounds, purchasing sundry items or eating out at the food stalls. To add to the fun, a circus, �Bhanu Circus�, has also pitched tent in the area and is being heavily patronised by locals.
The Northeast Frontier Railway participated in the Namami Brahmaputra festivities here with a big exhibition stall. It attracted a large number of visitors, said railway PRO Nripen Bhattacharyya.
On display were informative write ups, documentary films, heritage items and models of Railways were displayed in the stall. The large mascot Bholu depicting the Guard of Indian Railways was placed in front of the pavilion. The automatic level crossing gate with Rajdhani Express model, world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Toy Train model, a model of the world�s longest rail-cum-road Bogibeel bridge, Indian Railway�s latest technology of bio toilet, a model of the world�s tallest railway bridge (in Manipur) were highlights of the exhibition.
A railway quiz competition was organised among the school students in front of the railway pavilion on April 3, where a large number of school students participated. The quiz was conducted by Nripen Bhattacharyya.
Our Correspondent from Jorhat adds: With prayers on their lips and faith in their hearts, several citizens of different religions including Hindu, Islam, Sikh, Christian, Jain and Buddhist paid homage to mighty Brahmaputra at Kokoliamukh area today during the concluding ceremony of Namami Brahmaputra festival.
Along with Deputy Commissioner Virendra Mittal, senior officials of administration today vowed to eradicate corruption and work for the welfare of the people of all religions, castes and creeds in the district.
As the pragmatic presentations of noted researcher of Jorhat Dr Soumitra Pujari and a few other scholars during the festival caught attention for the heritage and potentiality of Kokilamukh of British era, administrative officers here said that the resourceful river-side area of the district may open up some avenues for starting new ventures in the future.
It is to be mentioned that the British used Kokilamukh as an important river-port for transportation purposes since 1847 though it was abandoned later by the governments of Independent India.
Though heavy downpour compelled officials to keep many cultural performances pending at Neamatighat on Sunday, yet many artistes could perform well on the stage of JDSA field.
On Monday, hundreds of audience remained spell-bound by performances of songs and traditional dances of various indigenous communities at JDSA since the evening. A valedictory programme was also held on Monday evening at the field where many dignitaries including the Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University Dr Kamal Malla Bujarbaurah were also present.
ANN Service adds from Bokakhat: The five-day-long Namami Brahmaputra festival concluded at Dhansirimukh of Bokakhat sub-division today.
In spite of inclement weather condition, along with other 21 districts of the State, the Namami Brahmaputra festival started at Dhansirimukh on the confluence of rivers Brahmaputra and Dhansiri with enthusiastic participation of people from nearby villages, eight kilometres from Bokakhat town.
State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA of Bokakhat, reopened the Dhansirimukh Gamiri Ghat ferry service formally on Sunday after a gap of 10 years dedicating it in the name of late Aideu Handique, the first Assamese film actress. It is to be mentioned here that Aideu Handique started her journey from this ghat to Bholaguri Tea State (Sonitpur dist) of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala to act in the film Joymoti with her brother Dimba Gogoi. Minister Bora also opened the main gate.
Chaarogaon, a Mising-dominated village, originally known as Bamungaon was formally opened as �Amaar gaon� during the festival.
Prior to this Gourabh Bothra, the Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat presented the welcome address gave a brief speech on the festival while Dhiraj Das, SDO (Civil) of Bokakhat offered puja and lit a lamp. The stage was opened with a chorus presented by the artistes of Puwati Sahitya Sabha, Bokakhat.
Dr Hemendra Nath Dutta, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland Open University inaugurated the wall magazine. Jitu Goswami, vice president of Asam Prakashan Parishad, addressed the meeting. Two books, Dalhorinor Chinyar (2nd part) and Einitom, were released on the occasion.
On April 3, the programme concluded with plantation of seedlings, boat rowing competition, cultural programme and symposium etc.
The symposium held on the subject, �River Brahmaputra�s relevance to the growth of civilization, culture and bio-diversity� was conducted by Dr Jayanta Gogoi, principal of JDSG College, Bokakhat. Prof Manjil Hazarika of Cotton State University took part as a resource person.
The souvenir, Moha Milanar Tirtha Brahmaputra was inaugurated by prominent litterateur Monikuntala Bhattacharya while MLA Mrinal Saikia inaugurated a book Miching Sanskritir Ruprekha.The entire programme conducted by Golaghat district and Bokakhat civil administration concluded with a public bath at Dhansirimukh on the occasion of Ashokashtami today.
