Assam for a two-day visit starting January 17. One of the main events of the visit will be a large-scale Bagurumba dance presentation at Sarusajai Stadium, where thousands of artistes from the Bodo community will perform together. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Prime Minister is expected to reach the stadium in the evening and will witness the cultural programme organised by the state government. He said the event has been planned to highlight Assam’s traditional art forms and present the cultural identity of the Bodo community on a larger platform. According to the Chief Minister, the Bagurumba presentation is part of a long-term effort by the state government to take Assam’s art and culture beyond the state. He made it clear that the programme is not intended to set any record, but to present a meaningful cultural performance that reflects the traditions and values of the people.
Bagurumba is a well-known folk dance of the Bodo community and is closely linked with nature. The dance movements are inspired by flowers, birds and butterflies, and it is traditionally performed during festivals such as Bwisagu and Domasi. It symbolises peace, harmony and joy, and holds an important place in Bodo cultural life. Officials said that artistes from more than 20 districts of Assam are participating in the programme. Rehearsals were held in different Assembly constituencies before moving to joint practice sessions at Sarusajai Stadium. Cultural experts from the Bodo community were involved in planning and designing the performance, while trained instructors coordinated the dancers. Due to the large scale of the programme, special crowd management measures have been put in place. The Chief Minister said that although over 30,000 entry passes have been collected, seating inside the stadium will be limited as some galleries have been closed to create space for the performance area. Separate arrangements have been made for people who may not be able to enter the stadium.
The public has been requested to cooperate with the administration to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. People have also been advised not to gather along National Highway routes, as heavy traffic is expected due to the Prime Minister’s movement. Police will manage traffic from Jalukbari to Beltola to avoid congestion.BJP workers have been asked not to assemble along highways to welcome the Prime Minister and to limit such activities to areas near the airport. The Chief Minister said these steps are necessary to maintain order and ensure public safety.The state government has also announced financial support for the participating dancers as a mark of recognition for their contribution. Officials said similar cultural programmes will be organised in other parts of the country in the coming years to promote Assam’s heritage. On the second day of his visit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Kaliabor in Nagaon district, where he will lay the foundation stone for major infrastructure projects, including the elevated corridor near Kaziranga National Park, and flag off new train services.