Sunday, September 13, 2009

7TH KAZIRANGA ELEPHANT FESTIVAL 2009 (9th February to 12th February 2009)

EVENTS OF 7TH KAZIRANGA ELEPHANT FESTIVAL 2009

VISIT TO THE KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK BY WOMEN FROM BPL FAMILY :

Before the beginning of the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival, it was decided that the women folk of the surrounding villages, who has never seen the inside of the Kaziranga National Park, were to be allowed to visit the Kaziranga National Park, as a part of the Festival. This was done to boost the morale of the women folk. There are 85 villages surrounding the Kaziranga National Park. Most of these families are poverty stricken, even though they depend on the Kaziranga National Park for their livelihood and living. There were almost 2000 (two thousand) women from below poverty line ranging from young to old who had visited the Kaziranga National Park, through this process. The Directorate of Kaziranga National Park, Jeep Safari Association and the Sub-Divisional Administration of Bokakhat and Kaliabor were the main sponsors of the programmee. Sri Mridul Kumar Mahanta, ACS, Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Bokakhat & General Secretary of the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival and Sri Surendra Nath Boragohain, IFS, Director,

Kaziranga National Park & Working President of the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival, flagged off the mission on 28th January 2009. The visit began from 28th January and ended on 6th February 2009.

PROGRAMMEEs FOR 9TH FEBRUARY 2009 :

1st KAZIRANGA MARATHON :

On 9th February 2009 the Marathon Race began with the flagging off by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Bokakhat, Sri Mridul Kr. Mahanta at 5 am. About 30 nos of participants from all over Assam took part in it. The Marathon Race was from Bokakhat Town to Kohora Chariali i.e. about 22 km in distance. Md.Abdul Bareek of NF Railway, Maligaon, Guwahati came first, Sri Rudeswar Deka of Sipajhar, Darrang came second and Md. Samijuddin of Chaygaon, Kamrup came third. All other the participants were offered Rs. 500.00. The 1st prize was a Prize Money worth Rs. 5,000.00, 2nd prize was Prize Money worth Rs. 300.00 and 3rd prize was Prize Money worth Rs. 2,000.00 only. Shri Mahabir Prasad Agarwalla of Bokakhat town was kind enough to sponsor the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes.

SELF HELP GROUP MELA :

At about 11 am the Hon’ble M.P. of Kaliabor HPC, Sri Deep Gogoi, inaugurated the Self Help Group Mela organized by the District Rural Development Agency of Golaghat district at the Kaziranga National Park High School, Kohora. The Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat Sri Harendra Nath Bora, IAS, also participated as Guest of Honour. Almost all the Self Help Groups of Bokakhat sub-division participated in it besides many came from all the corners of Assam. There were about 157 nos. of Stalls. This mela ended on 12th February 2009 and prizes for best participation and best seller were also given.

INDIGENOUS & TRADITIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL/MELA :

Sri Deep Gogoi, Hon’ble M.P. Koliabor inaugurated the Indigenous Food Festival/Mela at the same venue of the Kaziranga National Park High School, Kohora. Almost 27 food stalls came from every nook and corner of Assam, ranging from Singpho traditional food from Margherita, Karbi traditional food Karbi Anglong, Bodo traditional food from Bodoland Territorial area, Missing traditional food items from Golaghat district, Sonowal Kachari traditional food from Dibrugarh district and Three Star Hotels, viz. Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok from Guwahati, Land Mark Hotel from Guwahati, Iora the Retreat from Kohara etc. besides a host of other indigenous and traditional food items.

CULTURAL FUNCTION :

Later in the evening, on 9th February 2009, from about 6 pm onwards the Cultural Function began. The Deputy Commissioner of Golaghat, Sri Harendra Nath Bora, IAS, inaugurated the Cultural Night. Many local artists participated in the Cultural Function. The cultural night which showcased the talents of the local youth of the sorrounding area was attendent by people from various parts of the state. Star Cement sponsored the Cultural show.

HANDLOOM & HANDICRAFT EXEBITION :

There was an exhibition of Handicraft and Handloom organized by the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles, Guwahati. Many people gathered and purchased handmade items like muga & Eri. Items of Muga and Eri were a huge attraction. The exhibition ended on the 12th February 2009.


PROGRAMMEEs FOR 10TH FEBRUARY 2009 :

CULTURAL & ELEPHANT PROCESSION :

Next day on 10th February 2009 began with enchanting and colourful Cultural & Elephant Procession, starting from Kohora to Mihimukh. About 70 elephants from different parts of Assam came to the show, being brought by the Forest Department of Bokakhat. All indigenous tribes and communities participated in the Cultural procession. The Hon’ble Minister of Forest & Environment Sri Rokibul Hussain flagged off the Cultural Procession, participated by about five thousand people with their traditional dresses and instruments. Local Cultural Troupes participated with full vigor. The Procession which began at 8 A.M. lasted for 2 hours covering an area of 4 kms. Sri B. B. Hajger, Commissioner & Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, IAS, Sri Mohan Malakar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Sri Dipak Goswami, ACS, Managing Director, Assam State Tourism Development Corporation, Sri Harendra Nath Bora, IAS, Deputy

Commissioner, Golaghat, etc, were also present at the flag off ceremony. The State Bank of India sponsored the decoration as well as the dresses for the Elephants in the procession.

INAUGURATION OF THE 7th KAZIRANGA ELEPHANT FESTIVAL :

The procession ended at Mihimukh ground the main inauguration function began. This meeting was presided over by Sri Harendra Nath Bora, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Golaghat. Lot of activities preceded the formal inauguration function. Sri Rokibul Hussain the Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Forest etc. declared open the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival 2009.

100 kilogram Pada :

A pada of 100 (one hundred) kilograms made exclusively for the occasion of the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival. Bokakhat is well known for pada. 100 kilograms pada made to welcome the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Sri Tarun Gogoi, who was suppose to come to inaugurate the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival. In the absence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Sri Rokibul Hussain the Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Forest etc. cut the pada and declared the Festival open. He expressed his wish that the annual Kaziranga Elephant Festival be held on fixed dates to help visitors, business communities, officials in a befitting manners.

1000 balloons :
One thousand balloons were released in the blue sky. This was to symbolize the spirit of happiness and victory. The Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Forest etc. Sri Rokibul Hussain flew off these balloons at the meeting venue.

100 pigeons :
One hundred pigeons symbolizing peace were also flown into the sky by the Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Forest etc. Sri Rokibul Hussain from the inauguration meeting venue. The other dignitaries also took part in it and extended a helping hand to the Hon’ble Minister.

Elephant show and play :

The elephants that gathered for the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival performed different types of tactics of play and exhibition. This attracted a huge gathering.

PARA-SAILING :
The Para-sailing was applauded by the public who had gathered for the event. Shri Jiten Gogoi hon'ble M.L.A. of Bokakhat flagged of the event. The event ended on the closing ceremony.


SOUVENIR – AIRAVAT :
Sri Deep Gogoi, the M.P. of Kaliabor HPC released the first copy of the Kaziranga Elephant Festival. This was the seventh edition of the Souvenir Airavat. The Airavat has been published for the occasion from the First Kaziranga Elephant Festival itself.

LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW by HASTI KANYA SMTI. PARBATI BARUA :

This programmee was inaugurated by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Bokakhat & General Secretary of the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival, Sri Mridul Kumar Mahanta, ACS. At about 6 pm on 10th February 2009, Smti. Parbati Barua, of the Hasti kanya fame, presented the light and sound show of the elephants way of life. She showed how elephants were caught and trained for different works. The show also highlighted the plights of Mohaut live a life amids proverty and insecurity. A lot of people gathered to witness the event. This event continued from 11th to 12th feb 2009.

CULTURAL SHOW :
Later in the evening, on 10th February 2009, from about 6 pm onwards the Cultural Function began. The Deputy Commissioner of Nagaon, Sri J.Balaji, IAS, inaugurated the Cultural Night. Many artists from the other parts of Assam and India participated in the Cultural Function. The artists from Eastern Zone Cultural Centre, Kolkota, Western Zone Cultural Centre, Song & Drama Division, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, New Delhi, Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Assam, Guwahati etc. participated in the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival.

Eastern Zone Cultural Centre :
The cultural troupes came from Eastern Zone Cultural Centre, Kolkota,viz. from Purulia, Bengal. They performed Gutipuwa dance and was appreciated by all. Chow dance from Orissa was also liked by all.

Veenu Bharati of Gandhinaghar, Gujarat also performed different types of dance and drama.. The Director of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Assam sent cultural troupes, viz. from Goalpara, Bodoland, etc. Local cultural troupes’ viz. Nepali, Tea Tribes, Missing, also took part in it.


Fashion Show :
There was traditional fashion show during the cultural programmee. Sri Pradyut Mahanta and Sri Pradip Hazarika, both of Bokakhat were instrumental in making the show. It was a programmee where the traditional dresses of the different tribes and also the modern dresses that can be made were depicted in the show.

The main attraction was the Punjabi bhangra from CRPF team of Bokajan. Star Cement& State Bank of India sponsored the Cultural show that night.

PROGRAMMEEs FOR 11TH FEBRUARY 2009 :

SAHITYA & KAVI SANMILAN :

From 11 am onwards on 11th February 2009, the Sahitya Sanmilan began. About 70 numbers literary personalities took part in the event. Almost all of them presented their self composed poems, literature etc. Most of the literary persons who participated in the Sahitya and Sanmilan where on their way to the Assam Sahitya Sebha Convention held at Dhemaji during Feb 2009. The programmee added spice to the Festival.


ART COMPETITION :

Art competition was also organized. Three groups were made for the competition (i) from class Nursery to class III (ii) from class IV to class VII, and (iii) ) from class IX to class XII. The prizes of the event was sponsored by Aviva Life Insurance Company.


SEMINAR ON MAN-ANIMAL CO-EXISTENCE :

At The Centenary Convention Hall of the Forest Department at Kohora the seminar on the topic Man-Animal Co-existence was arranged. A lot of environmentalist ecological scientists and eminent professors from the Gauhati, Dibrugarh and Calcutta Universities also participated in the seminar. Smti. Parbati Barua was also present. Sri Mohan Malakar, IFS, Chief Principal Conservator of Forest was the chief guest for the occasion. Sri Surendra Nath Buragohain, IFS, Director, Kaziranga National Park inaugurated the function. Fruitful discussions were held in the seminar on how to protect the other lives of earth viz. animals, birds, water bodies, trees etc. The papers presented are to be published by the World Wildlife Trust and the India Wildlife Trust.


DOCUMENTARY FILM SHOW :

Documentary film show was also shown. The film produced by Sri Gautam Saikia on the Wildlife and Kaziranga were shown to the public attending the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival. These documentaries won prizes and laurels in the international and national sphere. Other producers also presented their film for public applaud. Sri D. D. Gogoi, AFS, the Divisional Forest Officer, Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat, inaugurated the programmee.


TRADITIONAL & RURAL SPORTS :

Local and village sports viz. the pitcher breaking event, music chair, three legged run, throwing the foot ball between the legs of a chair, sack run, 100 metre run, relay race, etc. were also organized and many people enjoyed by taking part in the event. Games like Football, Volleyball, were also played on the spot and enjoyed. The traditional & rural sports concluded on 12th February 2009. Prizes were distributed after the end of each sports.


CULTURAL SHOW :

The cultural troupes that came from Eastern Zone Cultural Centre, Kolkota, viz. from Purulia, Bengal, Orissa and also from Veenu Bharati of Gandhinaghar, Gujarat performed. Also the Cultural Directorate, Govt. of Assam sent cultural troupes, viz. from Goalpara, Bodoland, etc. also attracted the public that gathered. Shri Padam Bora received accolades from the public as he rendered duet songs in both male and female voice.


PROGRAMMEEs FOR 12TH FEBRUARY 2009 :

SISHU SAMORAH :

On 12th February 2009, from 11 am onwards the Sishu Samorah, Children Programmee, began. Sri Badan Sharma, General Secretary of the Puwati Sahity Sabha of Bokakhat played the pivotal part in organising the programmee for the children. Almost 400 nos. of children from different corners of the district took part in the event. The children sang, danced, recited poems, performed drama, told stories etc. This programmee was inaugurated by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Bokakhat & General Secretary of the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival, Sri Mridul Kumar Mahanta, ACS.



ROWING OF BOAT ON THE RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA :

At the place called Dhanbari, about 10 km from Bokakhat town, there was boat rowing. Machine boats were also arranged or the visitors and tourists. Dhanbari is on the confluence of the river Dhansiri and Brahmaputra, where the river Dhansiri meets and submerges with the mighty Brahmaputra. The boat ride attracted wild animals and river dolphins.



CLOSING CEREMONY :

The 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival, concluded on the 12th February 2009. The MLA of Bokakhat, Sri Jiten Gogoi, was present at the closing ceremony along with the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Bokakhat & General Secretary of the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival, Sri Mridul Kumar Mahanta, ACS.

Prizes for the Self Help Help Group :
The prizes were distributed by Sri Jiten Gogoi, MLA of Bokakhat and Sri D. D. Gogoi, AFS, the Divisional Forest Officer, Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat. The SHG from Nagaon, Hailakandi and Karbi Anglong districts received the honours respectively.


Cultural Programmee :
There was the final cultural programmee where people like Sri Ram Krishna Talukdar with his cultural troupe was a thrilling performance. The team came from Guwahati. Many artists also participated in the programmee, viz. Sri Bipul Chetia Phukan etc.



Jitul Sonowal :

Singer Sri Jitul Sonowal came to the Kaziranga Elephant Programmee on the invitation of the Organising Committee. Singer Smti.Vitali Das, was also present and performed with Sri Jitul Sonowal and Sri Zubeen Garg.



Zubeen Garg :

Noted and famous singer of Assam with the Mumbai fame Sri Zubeen Garg, also came to the Kaziranga Elephant Programmee on the invitation of the Organising Committee. He performed for an hour and won the heart of the spectators. He sang for the protection of the wild life and environment.

The 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival concluded at 3 am on 13th February 2009. The 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival was a success and many will remember the events and the shows. The organising committee thanked and expressed gratitude to all the people that took pain to make the 7th Kaziranga Elephant Festival a astounding success.

sourcE: http://www.kazirangaelephantfestival.com/7thelephantfest.html

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