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'Namami Brahmputra' festival begins in Assam; all you need to know

President Pranab Mukherjee Inaugurated On Friday The River Festival 'Namami Brahmaputra', Which Is Aimed At Promoting Trade, Tourism And Cultural Aspects Linked To The Mighty River.

News Nation Bureau | Edited By : Kanishk Sharma | Updated on: 31 Mar 2017, 09:53:07 PM
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates the Namami Brahmputra festival in Guwahati. (Twitter)

New Delhi:

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated on Friday the river festival 'Namami Brahmaputra', which is aimed at promoting trade, tourism and cultural aspects linked to the mighty river.

Mukherjee, while addressing a gathering said all the old civilisations grew on the banks of rivers - be it Egyptian, Babylonian, the Indus Valley civilisation or the Aryan civilisation. "North East's culture, economy and essential ingredients flourished on the bank of mighty Brahmputra," the President said, adding that festivals like this boosts tourism and economy. Praising the greatness and the kindness of the people of Assam, the President said he did not face any problems even at the height of tension in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too congratulated people on the occasion saying that the Brahmaputra is the lifeline of Assam and the northeast and is the source of livelihood for people in the region.

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"It is a matter of great pride that the #NamamiBrahmaputra festival is being launched by the Assam Government. Best wishes for the festival," Modi tweeted.

"Rivers occupy a central role in India's history & culture. Let us keep working together to ensure clean rivers for India's growth," he said in another tweet.



The event began with a grand opening and will witness business meets, trade seminars and symposiums and events like boat racing, a laser show a tea festival and much more. Here is all you need to know about the festival: 

# The 'Namami Brahmputra' festival is being organised across 21 districts of Assam 

The festival will serve as a platform to showcase Assam’s potential as a state brimming with trade, tourism and culture opportunities

# The event is being touted as the brainchild of Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal

The event took off in the form of a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday at the riverfront of Bharalumukh

Read | Centre’s North-East policy starts shaping up as Manipur economic blockade ends after five-month

The event will include a soulful veneration of river Brahmaputra along with other attractions like indigenous sports, local food, exhibition of organic tea, display of handloom and handicraft

Cultural evenings, film festival, business meetings and symposium will also be organised during the five-day festival

The event will end with a grand ceremony on April 4

The 'Namami Brahmaputra' is being dubbed as the biggest river festival in the country

The festival is a clear indication of Centre's 'Act East Policy' to strengthen its presence in the South Asian markets.  

Assam’s life and culture are deeply influenced by the rejuvenating splashes of Brahmaputra, India’s only male river and one of the most powerful rivers of the world.

(With inputs from PTI)

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First Published : 31 Mar 2017, 09:37:00 PM

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