Beach festival gets under way

GUWAHATI, Jan 13 — The 6th Brahmaputra Beach Festival, being held at the Andheridhuli Beach here, got off to a rousing start this afternoon with Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani inaugurating the festivities in the presence the Governor, Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Union Minister of State for Water Resources Bijoya Chakraborty. The inauguration ceremony was marked by a colourful dance programme where dancers from all over the North East presented their traditional items. Several other cultural troupes also performed. Speaking on the occasion, Advani said that he was awed by the mighty Brahmaputra. He hoped that the State governments will subscribe to the Centre’s plan to link all major rivers in the country will be in the overall interest of India. Governor Sinha, while pointing at the vast scope to develop the tourism potential of the Brahmaputra, also mentioned the regular flood problem in the State and called for suitable measures to address it. The Beach festival, which will continue till January 16, has been organised by the Assam Boat Racing and Rowing Association. The North Eastern Council (NEC), Assam Tourism and UNIDO are the sponsors of the event.