Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first edition of the Bodoland Mohotsav on Friday evening in Delhi at the KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium, an event showcasing the vibrant heritage of Bodoland.
The festival, organised by the All-Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), Dularai Bodo Harimu Afad, and Gandhi Hindustani Sahitya Sabha (GHSS), marks a landmark cultural celebration in the national capital.
The inauguration will see Assam’s Governor, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, and Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro joining PM Modi, who will pay floral tribute to a bust of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma. Attendees will experience Bodo dance performances, including “Bagurumba” and “Rwnswndri,” and exhibitions featuring Bodo GI-tagged items, cultural artefacts, and traditional foods.
Prime Minister Modi will also unveil the “Bodoland Jaiklong,” a commemorative souvenir for the Mohotsav.
The inaugural session, themed “The Rich Bodo Culture, Tradition, and Literature Contributing towards Indian Heritage,” will highlight the cultural achievements of the Bodo people.
Dipen Boro, President of ABSU, spoke on the significance of the festival.
“Bodoland Mohotsav marks a historic milestone where the richness of cultural and linguistic heritage, ecological biodiversity and touristic potential of Bodoland takes centre stage. This grand celebration in the national capital will showcase our story to the world. I request one and all to be part of the mega event,” he said.
With the theme “Peace and Harmony for a Prosperous Bharat,” the Mohotsav focuses on Bodo culture, language, and education, while featuring contributions from diverse communities in Assam, including the Santalis, Bengalis, Rajbongshis, Garos, Rabhas, Gorkhas, Odiyas, and others.
A cultural extravaganza will feature performances from these groups and other states, adding to the festival’s appeal.
As the Mohotsav celebrates the resilience of Bodoland since the signing of the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord, it emphasises harmony among indigenous communities in Assam.
The peace accord, brokered by Prime Minister Modi’s government, has seen former insurgents reintegrate into society, transforming Bodoland into a symbol of peace.
The festival will attract over five thousand enthusiasts from Assam, other parts of India, and neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan.
With November 16 coinciding with the Bodo Sahitya Sabha’s 73rd Foundation Day, the event will include themed discussions on the advancement of the Bodo language, literature, and culture.
A key session will focus on the National Education Policy 2020, underscoring mother-tongue-based education’s role in developing a progressive Bharat.
The two-day event also includes a grand rally advocating peace and harmony, showcasing the Bodo Sahitya Sabha’s contributions to India’s cultural landscape.
The thematic session “Building a Vibrant Bodoland Through Culture and Tourism” aims to drive economic and employment growth in the region.
The organisers hope that these discussions will draw both national and international visitors to Bodoland’s natural treasures, including Manas National Park, Raimona National Park, Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, and scenic areas along the Indo-Bhutan border.
On the closing day, Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, will inaugurate an evening of cultural presentations, highlighting Bodoland’s cultural renaissance.
Once associated with insurgency, Bodoland today represents peace and communal harmony, where indigenous communities coexist across Assam’s five BTR districts.
Bodoland is home to Assam’s largest tribal group, the Bodos, who have lived in the region for millennia.
Bodo, an official language of Assam and listed in India’s Eighth Schedule, serves as a medium of instruction up to Class XII, affirming its status within India’s cultural framework.
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