ITANAGAR, April 22 - Rongali Bihu celebration of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) was held at the main auditorium of the University at its Rono Hills campus on Saturday with much fanfare and gaiety.
The celebration was started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and paying of homage to �Bharat Ratna� Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Gracing the occasion as the chief guest, RGU Vice Chancellor Prof Saket Kushwaha expressed that Rongali Bihu is a colourful festival celebrated by the vibrant Assamese community wherever they reside and that it continues to be the lifeline of the socio-cultural life of the greater Assamese community.
Prof Kushwaha, who was accorded a warm welcome and felicitated with the Assamese traditional �phulam gamosa�, �Japi�, and �Xofura�, declared the programme open and wished everyone a very happy Rongali Bihu and a prosperous Assamese New Year ahead.
The organisers also felicitated the Registrar of RGU, Prof Tomo Riba, who has been associated with the Bihu celebrations at RGU from its very inception. Prof Riba said that Rongali Bihu has come to fill the vacuum in Rono Hills after the Nyokum, Losar, Holi and Mopin celebrations and to rejuvenate the festive minds of the residents of Rono to dance again to the tune of Bihu. Prof Riba also sang a Bihu song marking the close communion between the Assamese and Arunachali communities.
�Rongilee Rono�, a souvenir of Rajiv Gandhi University Bihu Celebration Committee was also released on the occasion. Earlier, Prof Hirendra Nath Sharma, president of the 18th Rongali Bihu Celebration Committee, RGU gave the welcome address.
A number of Husori and Bihu dances were performed by the members of RGU community, RGU Assam Students Forum and other invited Bihu troupes. Songs and dances celebrating the vibrant colours and diverse cultures of different communities were also presented. A musical presentation by the students of Bihpuria Blind School remained the centre of attraction. The prizes for the painting and essay competitions held in the morning were also distributed.
Earlier, the day-long Bihu celebration started with the hoisting of Bihu flag by the president of the Bihu Celebration Committee, stated a press release here.
