Preparations underway for Namami Brahmaputra festival in Assam

Preparations are underway on a war footing for Namami Brahmaputra, the biggest ever river festival in India to be held in Assam, officials here said on Monday.

The festival is set to be held across 21 districts of Assam from March 31 to April 4.

President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to inaugurate the five-day river festival at a mega function to be held on the banks of the Brahmaputra river on March 31. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is expected to be present on April 2.

Other prominent guests who have confirmed their participation during the festival include Union Ministers Uma Bharati, Nitin Gadkari and Mahesh Sharma.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev is likely to arrive on April 4 for the concluding function, the officials said.

"The basic objective of the five-day long festival is to showcase trade and commerce, culture, skill, industry and tourism of Assam to the world, while the festival is to exhibit the music, arts, craft, sports, livelihood and overall way of life of the people of Assam," said Commissioner of Guwahati Police Hiren Nath.

"Over 40 VVIPs are likely to arrive here for the five-day long festival. Security is an issue and we are taking utmost care to ensure proper security at the festival," he said.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has already released the theme song of Namami Brahmaputra.

--IANS

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