Capital hosts first ever Bodoland Mohotsav, PM inaugurates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Friday inaugurated the debut edition of Bodoland Mohotsov here at KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium in the presence of Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor, Assam; Dipen Boro, President, ABSU; Pramod Boro, CEM, Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and the 5,000 people from the Bodo community residing not only in Bodoland but also in other parts of Assam, West Bengal and Nepal.

The two-day festival, which is celebrating the monumental 2020 Bodo Peace Accord, is a mega event on language, literature, and culture to sustain peace and build a vibrant Bodo society.

The Prime Minister said the festival would bring a new era of peace, prosperity and progress to the youth of the Bodo community, who faced violence and bloodshed for a very long time.

“It’s quite an emotional moment for me to be a part of this mega event, which is celebrating the rich culture, education and language of the Bodo Community. It’s a moment of pride for me to see the people of Bodoland in a celebratory mood. Festivals like Bodoland Mohotsov will bring a revolution in the Bodo community and pave the way for peace, progress and prosperity. I am happy that the festival started on the auspicious occasion of Dev Deepawali, 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,” said Modi during the inauguration of the event.

Dipen Boro, President, All Bodo Students Union delivered the welcome address and said, “Modi Ji's leadership in the Bodo Peace Accord has been a transformative moment for our community, offering a new lease of life to the youth of Bodoland. His unwavering commitment and personal involvement in the accord reflect his deep understanding of our aspirations. For the Bodo community, it’s a source of immense pride that our Prime Minister dedicated time and effort to bring lasting peace. This historic achievement will shape generations to come. We stand united in gratitude for his visionary leadership. The Bodo community will always be thankful to our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for this peace accord. He empowered our community. This festival wouldn’t have been possible today without the visionary thought of our Prime Minister.”

Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), said the presence of the Prime Minister during the inaugural of the mohotsov was a monumental moment.

“Today, women and children of Bodoland feel safe and the credit completely goes to our PM. His vision for peace and prosperity is just like our Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma. Bodoland witnessed peace and development following the signing of the historic Bodo Accord under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister,” Boro added.

Lakshman Prasad Acharya, in his address, highlighted the rich culture, tradition and literature of the Bodo community and its contribution to the Indian heritage and tradition. He also spoke on the rapid development taking place in the and railway network in the entire Northeast region under the abled leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Our Prime Minister has brought a new ray of development in Northeast. Many far-flung areas of the northeast are getting connected with mainstream India through the extra-ordinary development work undertaken by the BJP government. Telecom sector is expanding their 5G network in those areas of Northeast,” said Acharya.

Earlier in the day, a flag hoisting ceremony was held, led by by Surath Narzary, President, Bodo Sahitya Sabha; Dipen Boro, President, ABSU and others.

The festival, which ends today evening, is focused on the rich culture, language and education of the Bodo community along with other communities from the BTR.

Apart from the focus on Bodo tradition and culture, there will be a mosaic of cultural extravaganza, comprising presentations by the Santalis, Bengalis, Rajbongshis, ethnic Assamese, Garos, Rabhas, Gorkhas, Odiyas, and multiple other communities from the Bodoland Territorial Region. The mahotsav aims to integrate the indigenous Bodo people residing not only in Bodoland but also in other parts of Assam, West Bengal, Nepal and other international border areas of the Northeast.