Guwahati, Dec 20: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday reiterated that the current dispensation was committed to preserving the cultural identities of indigenous communities of the state.
“As a part of this aim, the directorate of indigenous and tribal faith and culture was established,” Sarma said after inaugurating the Bathou Traditional and Cultural Centre, built at a cost of Rs 5 crore at Bagansali in Kokrajhar during his visit to Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
The department of indigenous and tribal faith and culture was created to act as the nodal department for the promotion, formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for the welfare and all-round development of the people of Assam. The department came into being with effect from July 30, 2021.
It may be mentioned that in July this year, the state government had provided grants-in-aid of Rs 10 lakh each to 18 organisations working in the field of indigenous and tribal faith and culture, Rs 5 lakh each to 73 places of worship related to indigenous and tribal beliefs and Rs 2 crore to the Garchuk-based All Bathou Mahasabha.
Speaking at the ceremonial inauguration of the Bathou Traditional and Cultural Centre, said that ever since its establishment in 1994 the Bathou Temple at Bagansali has been contributing greatly towards the spiritual uplift of the residents of Kokrajhar area.
Referring to Bathou worship as one of the most ancient forms of indigenous beliefs in the state, Sarma said it has been strongly enriching Assam’s cultural and spiritual environment for thousands of years.
Praising the BTR administration for its liberal grant of Rs 5 crore for the construction of the Bathou traditional and cultural centre, the chief minister exuded confidence that the new structure would contribute greatly towards preservation and spread of Bathou faith in the state and beyond.