Bodoland Mohotsov wraps up, bringing region’s rich heritage, tourism, and handloom craftsmanship to the forefront
New Delhi: Curtains were drawn on the inaugural edition of the Bodoland Mohotsov, which was officially launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 15th November at the national capital’s KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium. The 2-day mega event showcased the rich heritage, tourism, food, language and handloom expertise of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the home to the indigenous Bodo tribe. The festival also held some pertinent open discussion on “Challenges and opportunities of mother tongue medium through National Education Policy 2020” and “Bodoland Mohotsov & Janjatiya Gaurav Divas” which were attended by industry experts and policymakers.
The open discussion on “Challenges and opportunities of mother tongue medium through National Education Policy 2020” was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Dr Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Govt. of India; Shri Dipen Boro, President, ABSU; Dr. Samujjal Kr Bhattacharya, Chief Adviser, AASU, Shri Nilo Kt. Goyary, General Secretary, BSS; Shri Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Assam; Shri Pramod Boro, Hon’ble CEM, BTR and Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Education & Tribal Affairs, Assam.
Another discussion session “Building of Vibrant Bodoland Region through tourism and culture” was attended by Shri Pramod Boro, CEM, BTR, Shri Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Biswajit Daimary, Speaker, Assam legislative Assembly.
“The Bodo Sahitya Sabha has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the language. Many initiatives have been undertaken to develop Bodo literature, improve literacy rates, and establish educational institutions that focus on Bodo language and culture. The continued promotion of Bodo in education is crucial for preserving the linguistic heritage of the Bodo community,” said Dr Dharmendra Pradhan during his chief guest address.
“The Bodoland festival stands as a tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the identity and rights of the Bodo people. Without remembering their sacrifice, the celebration of our culture remains incomplete. It is their courage that has paved the way for the flourishing of our heritage. A tribe’s culture, rich in language, tradition, and history, defines its true essence. Today, we honoured both the past and the living spirit of Bodoland, for it is through their sacrifices that our culture thrives,” said Shri Dipen Boro, President ABSU and one of the organisers of the event.
The festival demonstrated the prestigious GI (Geographical Indication) journey of Bodolands treasures through handloom, food & beverage and musical instruments through a special stall area. Each product in handloom be it the Bodo Gamosa, Dokhona or Aronai held unique cultural significance and represented the deep artistry, craftsmanship and cultural identity of the Bodoland. It also displayed the GI traditional Bodo drinks, such as Zou Gishi, Zou Gwran and Jou Bidwi. These beverages were crafted using age-old techniques unique to the Bodo community in the Bodoland Territorial Region and offer distinct flavors. Besides the traditional music items of Bodo community, Siphung, which recently bagged the GI tag, was displayed. The Siphung has a unique design and produces a rich sound with six holes.
“The Department of Handloom & Textiles, BTC, Kokrajhar participated in the 1st Bodoland Mohotsav to showcase our rich, age-old heritage of Bodoland through its handloom products. The event highlighted the unique, GI-certified (Geographical Indication) products, emphasizing our cultural significance and the craftsmanship of local weavers. We want to promote and celebrate the traditional handloom artistry of Bodoland on a larger platform, raising awareness and appreciation for these sustainable, heritage-rich textiles. Since the festival is in its first edition, we haven’t got much footfall of people from Delhi, but we are confident that in the years to come we will have much more awareness about the items from the Bodo community,” said Ms Hiranya Devi, Assistant Director, H&T.
Day 2 of the Bodoland Mohotsov began with a solemn flag hoisting by Dr. Surath Narzary, President of Bodo Sahitya Sabha, honouring the legacy of the Bodoland movement. The ceremony was a tribute to the Bodo martyrs who gave their lives for the region’s identity and rights. As the day unfolded, a grand cultural rally took place, symbolizing the unity and pride of Bodoland, stretching from Sai Indira Gandhi Stadium to the Delhi Secretariat.
During the evening, Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, along with Shri Dilip Saikia, MP, Loksabha inaugurated a grand cultural evening. Renowned singer Papon graced the Mohotsov with a captivating performance, enchanting the thousands of audience with his soulful melodies.