Majuli (Assam) , September 8 : Majuli the site of the neo-Vaishnavite Bhakti renaissance has become India's first island district when Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday inaugurated it as the 35th district of Assam at a function held at the playground of Majuli College synchronising with the 90th birth anniversary of musical maestro Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Upgradation of Majuli into a district, holds immense importance as the island is the most prominent site of the neo-Vaishnavite Bhakti renaissance witnessed in the north-eastern part of India.
It also establishes potential linkages and popular responses of India's northeast to the waves of the Bhakti movement emerged in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Shankardev, the pioneer of the neo-Vaishnavite renaissance preached monotheistic Vaishnavism and established Satras or monasteries for the same.
The Satras and Namghars later became the incubators for Satriya dance, drama, music, art, and spirituality.
Majuli is also known for its rich cultural life as the island embodies creativity at its best in its dramatic tradition (Raasleela in Garamur Satra and Kamalabari Satra), mask traditions (the Mukha Shilpa of Shamaguri Satra), songs (Borgeet written by Shankardev and Madhavdev).
Majuli also holds a unique position as it always encourages a healthy interaction amongst all ethnic groups (like Mishing, Deuri, etc.), between the locals and foreign tourists with rare instances of conflicts.
Majuli has a unique location at the heart of the Brahmaputra.
The riverine topography, the chars (strips of sand and silt deposition) and the flora and fauna add to its magnificence.
It is in this milieu Chief Minsiter Sonowal inaugurated Majuli as the 35th District and speaking at the inaugural function, Sonowal said that if we want to usher in an era of development in Majuli, everybody has to render
their concerted efforts.
"Emergence of Majuli as a full-fledged district on the birth day of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is indeed a matter of joy, pleasure and pride. Contributions of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is evident in every aspect of our life and his roletowards transforming Satriya dance and giving it a national recognition is really laudable,â€Â Sonowal said.
Sonowal said that the long cherished dream of the people of Majuli has been fulfilled today. However, to give a fillip to the growth momentum of the district a comprehensive approach is required. With Majuli emerged as a district, had added more responsibility to him as his Government is committed to propel
Majuli into the 'fast growth trajectory'.
As Majuli is a treasure trove of potentialities and possibilities, the Assam CM said that the district has to tread the path of development in tandem with the development initiatives taken in the fields of art and culture, PWD, tourism, rural development, health and sports, agriculture, water resources, soil conservation etc.
Citing a picture of his Government's all round development agenda, Sonowal said that the construction of Bogibeel bridge is at its terminal stage.
"Dhola-Sadiya Bridge will be cpommissioned in 2017. Union Minister of Road Transport and Hihgways Nitin Gadkari announced construction of 122 km road connecting Majuli besides two other bridges on the Brahmaputra. The proposed Cultural University in Majuli will enable research and advanced studies of art and culture of the state," Sonowal said.
Divulging the Cabinet's decision which was held at Majuli for the first time, Sonowal said that a Centre of Water Resources to be set up in Majuli which he said would give remedial steps for flood and erosion problem in
the island.
The congregation of people of all walks of life in Majuli today has also set a tempo for his pet-initiative of 'Team Assam' which Sonowal said would bring in positive development in Assam.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma, Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Environment and Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, Chief Executive Councilor of Mising Autonomous Council Dr. Ranoj Pegu also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Chief Minister Sonowal inaugurated Deputy Commissioner's Office in Majuli.
He also paid rich tributes to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and paid a visit to the exhibition launched by the Satras of Assam and Koch Behar besides flagging of two ASTC buses for Majuli.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
