GUWAHATI, Jan 28 - The second edition of the tourism festival �Rongali� will be held at the Sonaram field and Brahmaputra riverfront, Bharalumukh, from January 29 to 31.
The first edition last year was attended by a number of tour operators and travel writers from across India.
This year, the theme is �Destination, Culture, Harmony� with an aim to promote Assam as a destination, building bridges amongst various tribes and communities of the State.
At 10 am tomorrow, with support of the Ministry of IT, Govt of India, a national seminar on IT services in the North East will be held at Hotel Brahmaputra Ashoka here.
Top officials of the Union IT Ministry, Telecom Ministry, State IT departments of the north-eastern states, IT investors from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, entrepreneurs of Assam and the North East are participating in the seminar, where the Government of India would declare a new BPO scheme for the region.
�Rongali�s main attraction this year would be the Brahmaputra riverfront. The Aero Sports Association of Assam would present a wide array of aero sports activities, including para-sailing, para-motoring, micro light, etc. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will present diverse sports activities like wresting, boat race, martial arts, etc. The daytime carnival on the riverfront would see young DJs of Assam performing along with DJ Kay Mikado from Bengaluru and India�s top DJ Nucelya,� Shyamkanu Mahanta, chief organiser of �Rongali�, said.
The Indian Army would display various equipment. The Karbi, Mising, Sonowal-Kachari and Bodo councils would showcase their way of life, food habits, etc.
Another attraction is an art exhibition by Artists� Guild and a photography exhibition by the Photography Club of Assam.
Also scheduled is a large food festival representing various north-eastern states. An agri-horti exhibition with participation of various self-help groups, and farmers with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India, is another attraction. An exhibition of handloom and handicrafts would see young designers and weavers showcasing their products.
Also in the offing is a �Book Adda� where writers from Europe would interact with north-eastern writers. Rebakanta Mahanta, Sangeet Natak awardee, would display mask-making and Mukha Yuddha. Dance forms from various north-eastern states would perform during the daytime carnival.
Garima Garg and Zubeen Garg�s team of Abhinaya would perform the drama Karengor Ligiri, with Zubeen signing on stage, while a bhaona � Chordhora Jhumura � would be performed by acclaimed Sattriya artistes from Assam.
Assam�s top designers and models would also feature in two evenings of high-quality fashion show.
A special presentation is being organised to showcase 80 years of Assamese movie from 1935-2015, with George Baker, Binita Gohain, Nipon Goswami, Biju Phukon recreating the magic of yesteryear.
Mahanta said that Rongali would see performances by India�s top musicians, including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan along with Ayan and Aman, India�s top rock band Parikrama, top rapper Borkung Hrangkhal, top Hindi rock band Local Train, besides Zubeen Garg, Papon, Anaya Brahma, and many others.
The Assam Tribune Group of Publications is the co-sponsor of the three-day event.
