GUWAHATI: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday appealed to the non-Assamese population of the state to set an example towards building a greater Assamese society by embracing the state’s culture and wear the gamocha on Bihu instead of donating to Rongali Bihu functions in their localities.
“The Marwaris, Bengalis and all other Hindi-speaking people who live in Assam have become an inseparable part of the Assamese community. This time, I am appealing to them to end the practice of giving donations to Bihu functions,” Sarma said.
Sarma added, “We do not want them to give donations this time. What we want instead is that this time the Marwaris, Bengalis and all other Hindi-speaking people who have embraced Assam as their motherland, celebrate Rongali Bihu like every mainstream Assamese by wearing the gamocha and having the traditional sweets.”
He added, “If they follow this, I believe it will set a very big example towards building an even bigger Assamese community.”
Sarma said soon after the GMC polls to be held on April 22, the state government will change names of places which citizens are not comfortable with. He added that the government will rename a place based on suggestions from the people only.
Earlier, Sarma had pointed at changing the name of a locality in the city, Kalapahar, which is after the name of a demon king who had destroyed the temple of goddess Kamakhya.
