Celebrating Assamese life & culture with the biggest river festival in India

Celebrated across the 21 districts along the banks of the Brahmaputra, the Namami Brahmaputra festival aims to showcase the cultural heritage of the state of Assam, as well as project the region as a future tourism and business hub of India, writes Keith

like Manas, Jia Bharali and Kopili, are ideal for white water rafting.

A number of Central ministers, including Nitin Gadkari and Mahesh Sharma are participating in the river festival. Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of all states have also been invited. The Assam Government is expecting a host of dignitaries from Southeast Asian nations as the Centre aims to give leverage to its “Act East Policy” through this festival. Invitations have been sent to ambassadors and high commissioners. Representatives from Japan, Vietnam, Laos and Singapore have confirmed their participation. Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama will attend the festival, as will the yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

“Namami Brahmaputra has been conceptualised to offer our collective gratitude to the mighty river which has given so much and which has potential to give much more for our development and prosperity,” says Anand Prakash Tiwari, Managing Director, Assam State Transport Corporation. “A number of states of the country have launched attractive and vibrant campaigns to create a positive perception and ecosystem for promotion of tourism and attracting investments. Through this festival, we are promoting our state and our culture, custom, tradition, tourism, inland water potential, trade, investment option, commerce and industry etc.,” he adds.