Latest news with #RongaliBihu
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mizoram speaker calls Rongali Bihu ‘cornerstone' of Assamese culture
1 2 Aizawl: Mizoram assembly speaker Lalbiakzama on Saturday highlighted the significance of Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu), describing it as a cornerstone of Assamese culture with strong agricultural the Berawtlang multipurpose cultural complex in Aizawl, Lalbiakzama discussed the vital role of agriculture and horticulture in society. "During the Covid-19 pandemic, all of us realised the importance of agriculture and allied products even in the era of various developments including information technology. From the primitive era to the cyber world the importance of agriculture fails to diminish," he said. He noted that during times of crisis, when movement was restricted, people's essential needs centred around agricultural produce and speaker reflected on the period when the seven northeastern states were part of Assam. Despite their current separate administrative status, he encouraged maintaining strong regional bonds. "The Assamese people and the state of Assam should act like the father in maintaining unity of the seven sister states," he expressed optimism that the Bohag Bihu celebrations would strengthen the connections among the seven northeastern his Rongali Bihu greetings to the Assamese people, the speaker wished for a successful planting season, hoping for healthy crop yields to sustain Assam's position as the northeastern region's primary food producer.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bring the periphery to the centre
It was the final day of the week-long Rongali Bihu celebrations to mark the beginning of the Assamese new year and sowing season. Guwahati was dressed in festive finery, with vibrant japis (hats) and gamosas (white-and-red handwoven fabric) adorning every pause and turn. Assam State Museum was celebrating its 86th Foundation Day, recalling the contributions of many, especially Rai Bahadur Kanak Lal Barua, who had spent their lives collecting, documenting, and disseminating the tangible and intangible heritage of the people of Assam. #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Pak moving troops to border areas? All that's happening Why India chose to abstain instead of 'No Vote' against IMF billion-dollar funding to Pakistan How Pak's jihadi general Munir became trapped in his own vice An invitation to Guwahati in end- April felt like being in the right place at the right time. Earning one's pitha (rice cake) and laru (a sweet) by speaking on the sculptural heritage of Assam to an august assembly can be daunting. But delectable larus and the beauty of Assamese sculptures make for a heady combination that can embolden an art historian to let her thoughts flow with the Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra valley is a connected-yet-distinct geographical space nestled within the eastern Himalayas, Patkai, and Naga hills, and the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia and Mikir hills. Its natural beauty finds mention even in ancient inscriptions that extol its golden hills in the likeness of Kailash, with gushing waters of the grand Lauhitya River resembling the silvery rays of the moon. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Bouira - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Brahmaputra, lifeline of the valley, is known by 'Lauhitya' in some early inscriptions and texts. The ancient name of Assam best corresponds to Kamarupa in some historical records, such as Samudragupta's famous Allahabad pillar inscription, and Kautilya's Arthashastra. The other name, Pragjyotisha, of the epics and epigraphs, also included territories corresponding to ancient Assam . Assam's remote antiquity goes back to the Stone Age. But written records in the form of inscriptions begin to offer insights into its early history only from 4th c. CE. Substantial art and architectural remains in stone have survived from 6th c. CE, most notably, a grand temple doorway at Da Parbatia in the Tezpur-Sonitpur region (photo). Live Events Often explained in terms of a 'Gupta art'-inspired door frame, its own localised aesthetics have remained unsung. The personified river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, are conceptually aligned with 'Gupta' temple doorframes. But their iconography and stylistics at Da Parbatia reveal refined local artistic sensibilities. The presence of Lakulisha on the door lintel and, beneath him, a majestic garuda (eagle) in combat with nagas (serpents) is distinctively rendered, even if a coin of Gupta king Skandagupta Kramaditya reveals similar iconography. That ancient Kamarupa was connected with the great Gupta empire of central India is well-known. In the Allahabad pillar inscription, the king of Kamarupa is addressed as a 'pratyanta nripati' (frontier king). But even if Kamarupa was peripheral to the Gupta empire, centre and periphery are relative to one's vantage point. In its regional interactions with eastern Indian kingdoms too, from the time of King Shashanka of Gauda (circa early 7th c.) to the Palas of Bengal and Bihar (c. 8th-12th c.), Assam's contributions to regional, national, and Asian histories have remained underrepresented, if not eclipsed. It is a truism to say that West Bengal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Assam and Northeast Indian states formed culturally contiguous zones of contact with shifting political boundaries before the establishment of modern nation-states sharply segregated their identities. Perhaps less obvious is how such shared pasts are sculpted in stone. The artistic imagination of a multi-armed dancing Shiva (Nritteshvara) astride Vrishabha-Nandi (bull) is an east-northeast Indian creative innovation that had travelled to neighbouring and distant lands as far as Champa in ancient Vietnam. Perhaps nowhere is he as evocatively visualised as in a large 10th c. stone roundel housed in the Assam State Museum at Guwahati (photo). The northeast and its artistic achievements deserve to be relocated from the periphery to the centre. It's high time. The writer is professor of art history, Department of History, University of Delhi
Economic Times
10-05-2025
- Economic Times
Bring the periphery to the centre
It was the final day of the week-long Rongali Bihu celebrations to mark the beginning of the Assamese new year and sowing season. Guwahati was dressed in festive finery, with vibrant japis (hats) and gamosas (white-and-red handwoven fabric) adorning every pause and turn. Assam State Museum was celebrating its 86th Foundation Day, recalling the contributions of many, especially Rai Bahadur Kanak Lal Barua, who had spent their lives collecting, documenting, and disseminating the tangible and intangible heritage of the people of invitation to Guwahati in end- April felt like being in the right place at the right time. Earning one's pitha (rice cake) and laru (a sweet) by speaking on the sculptural heritage of Assam to an august assembly can be daunting. But delectable larus and the beauty of Assamese sculptures make for a heady combination that can embolden an art historian to let her thoughts flow with the Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra valley is a connected-yet-distinct geographical space nestled within the eastern Himalayas, Patkai, and Naga hills, and the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia and Mikir hills. Its natural beauty finds mention even in ancient inscriptions that extol its golden hills in the likeness of Kailash, with gushing waters of the grand Lauhitya River resembling the silvery rays of the moon. Brahmaputra, lifeline of the valley, is known by 'Lauhitya' in some early inscriptions and texts. The ancient name of Assam best corresponds to Kamarupa in some historical records, such as Samudragupta's famous Allahabad pillar inscription, and Kautilya's Arthashastra. The other name, Pragjyotisha, of the epics and epigraphs, also included territories corresponding to ancient Assam. Assam's remote antiquity goes back to the Stone Age. But written records in the form of inscriptions begin to offer insights into its early history only from 4th c. CE. Substantial art and architectural remains in stone have survived from 6th c. CE, most notably, a grand temple doorway at Da Parbatia in the Tezpur-Sonitpur region (photo). Often explained in terms of a 'Gupta art'-inspired door frame, its own localised aesthetics have remained unsung. The personified river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, are conceptually aligned with 'Gupta' temple doorframes. But their iconography and stylistics at Da Parbatia reveal refined local artistic sensibilities. The presence of Lakulisha on the door lintel and, beneath him, a majestic garuda (eagle) in combat with nagas (serpents) is distinctively rendered, even if a coin of Gupta king Skandagupta Kramaditya reveals similar iconography. That ancient Kamarupa was connected with the great Gupta empire of central India is well-known. In the Allahabad pillar inscription, the king of Kamarupa is addressed as a 'pratyanta nripati' (frontier king). But even if Kamarupa was peripheral to the Gupta empire, centre and periphery are relative to one's vantage point. In its regional interactions with eastern Indian kingdoms too, from the time of King Shashanka of Gauda (circa early 7th c.) to the Palas of Bengal and Bihar (c. 8th-12th c.), Assam's contributions to regional, national, and Asian histories have remained underrepresented, if not eclipsed. It is a truism to say that West Bengal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Assam and Northeast Indian states formed culturally contiguous zones of contact with shifting political boundaries before the establishment of modern nation-states sharply segregated their identities. Perhaps less obvious is how such shared pasts are sculpted in stone. The artistic imagination of a multi-armed dancing Shiva (Nritteshvara) astride Vrishabha-Nandi (bull) is an east-northeast Indian creative innovation that had travelled to neighbouring and distant lands as far as Champa in ancient Vietnam. Perhaps nowhere is he as evocatively visualised as in a large 10th c. stone roundel housed in the Assam State Museum at Guwahati (photo). The northeast and its artistic achievements deserve to be relocated from the periphery to the centre. It's high time. The writer is professor of art history, Department of History, University of Delhi
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bihu committee to fund woman's kidney transplant
Guwahati: Choosing compassion over celebration, a Bihu committee in Assam's Lakhimpur district has donated its festival funds to support a woman's kidney transplant procedure. Uttar Purbanchal Sanskritik Committee, which has been organising Rongali Bihu celebrations since the 1970s, is known in North Lakhimpur for hosting one of the most vibrant and community-driven festivals in the area every year, except this year. This time, they chose to forgo the festivities and instead redirect the collected donations for a more meaningful endeavour by supporting the treatment of a 30-year-old woman, Pallabi Gogoi of Ahuchual Gogoi, secretary of the committee, said Pallabi is battling a critical health condition. Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list In the month of Feb, it was revealed that both her kidneys have failed."Bihu comes every year, but for Pallabi, time may not be on her side. When our members learned about her condition, celebrating amid such suffering didn't feel right. We came together and unanimously decided to donate the festival funds to support her treatment and give her a second chance," said Gogoi. Gogoi added that Pallabi lives with her mother Podumi and elder sister Dipsikha. Their mother works at local service centres and has been struggling to make ends meet while trying to cover the mounting medical expenses. Her mother has come forward to donate one of her kidneys, but the cost of the transplant is too high for the family to afford. He said while the committee has already donated a significant amount, the woman's treatment requires much more, and her family is still in urgent need for financial support.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam cancels Bihu functions amid heightened security measures along India-Bangladesh border
Guwahati: Owing to prevailing situation in the country, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the people for the cancellation of all remaining Bihu functions scheduled from May 10 onwards, while Meghalaya government-imposed night curfew in areas along the 40 km unfenced portion of the India-Bangladesh border in the state. #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures Amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, security along the northeastern states' borders with Bangladesh was tightened, and several precautionary measures were taken. Of the 1,880 km frontiers between the northeastern states and Bangladesh, vast areas are already fenced, but some stretches remain unfenced. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eagle Approaches Puppy in Yard - Watch What The Neighbor Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo Among the precautionary measures, a night curfew has been clamped along the bordering areas. State security forces were also deployed in the border villages to prevent any infiltration from across the border and curb unwanted activities. 'Over the past month, we have joyfully celebrated Bihu across Assam through numerous cultural events. I sincerely thank everyone for their enthusiastic participation and contributions,' the Assam chief minister posted on X. Live Events 'However, the time has now come to conclude this festive season. I humbly appeal that all remaining Bihu functions scheduled from 10th May onwards be kindly cancelled. Let us bring this vibrant celebration to a graceful close, with the same unity and spirit in which it was celebrated,' he further wrote. Rongali Bihu, also called Bohag Bihu, is a spring festival that marks the Assamese New Year. The celebration begins mid-April and continues for over a month. In Tripura, an official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Chief Minister Manik Saha held a high-level meeting with senior security, intelligence and civil officials and discussed enhanced surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border. Tripura, which has an 856 km border with Bangladesh, is surrounded on three sides by the neighbouring country. In Meghalaya, the BSF has intensified surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border using the latest electronic gadgets. BSF's Meghalaya frontiers' Inspector General (IG) O.P. Upadhyay said that the border guarding force has further strengthened its vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border since last year, but recently the troops' vigilance has been further tightened with the use of the latest electronic gadgets. "Our troops are on the highest surveillance round-the-clock. Senior BSF officials also, from time to time, supervise the intensive patrolling along the frontiers," he told the media. Upadhyay said the BSF personnel are taking all preventive measures during the close watch on the borders. The BSF's Meghalaya frontiers' IG also visited border posts along the Indo-Bangla international Border in Meghalaya to assess the current situation. He emphasized the need for heightened vigilance and a proactive approach to strengthen the sense of security among the border population. In Assam, the Guwahati frontier BSF beefed up security in Assam along the Bangladesh border amid India-Pakistan tensions and the ongoing troubles. An official of Assam's Border Protection and Development Department said that the state government has ramped up security vigilance along the International Border with Bangladesh. A BSF spokesman said that the border guarding troops have enhanced vigil and intensified their domination along the International Border. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said, " In view of the prevailing situation and to assess the State's preparedness for any potential crisis, I convened a high-level meeting attended by the Political Secretary to Chief Minister Jacob Khaling, Cabinet Secretary V.B. Pathak, Chief Secretary SR. Telang, Director General of Police (DGP) Akshay Sachdeva and Heads of Departments (HODs) including officials from Health, Power, Food & Civil Supplies, Roads & Bridges, Land & Revenue departments, Sikkim Police and DCs & SPs of all districts." He added, " I have issued clear directives to Power Department to conduct emergency drills and raise public awareness on blackout preparedness, roads & Bridges are to ensure all critical roads and bridges remain fully operational and structurally sound, health Services are on high alert; hospitals must be fully equipped and staffed, with essential medical personnel on duty, food & Civil Supplies must maintain ample stock of essential items and fuel, ensuring uninterrupted distribution, police and Security forces are to intensify vigilance, especially at borders, and conduct regular drills with IRB and SAP jawans, Disaster Management must activate siren systems and deploy trained personnel promptly in any emergency". He added, "I want to reassure the people of Sikkim that the government is taking all necessary and proactive measures to ensure the safety, security, and preparedness of our State. Given Sikkim's strategic location and proximity to international borders, it is our solemn responsibility to remain vigilant and fully prepared to respond to any eventuality. These measures are not only in the interest of our State but also in alignment with our duty toward national security. We are strengthening inter-departmental coordination, reinforcing critical infrastructure, and enhancing emergency response mechanisms across all districts. Our law enforcement agencies, medical services, and civil administration are on high alert to ensure uninterrupted public services and maintain peace and order. I urge all citizens to act responsibly, remain calm, stay informed through official channels, cooperate with the authorities, and refrain from sharing unverified or sensitive information that could lead to unnecessary panic or compromise security. National security is our priority, and the State Government is committed to public safety, territorial integrity, and the welfare of every citizen".
