Jowai, July 9: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday extended his greetings and best wishes to the people of Meghalaya, especially the residents of Jaintia Hills, while attending the concluding day of the Behdeiñkhlam festival at Jowai.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said it was his first visit to witness the centuries-old indigenous festival and described Behdeiñkhlam as a unique and joyous celebration. “This is the first time i have come to witness such a festival. I am very happy to be here. I have never seen this kind of festival before,” he said.
The Assam Chief Minister said he had brought a message of goodwill from the people of Assam to the people of Meghalaya and prayed for the continued success of the traditional festival. “I have carried a message of goodwill from the State of Assam to our brothers in Meghalaya, and more specifically to the brothers and sisters of Jaintia Hills. I convey my best wishes and pray for the success of the festival,” Sarma said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Sarma also reiterated that Assam and Meghalaya continue to enjoy cordial relations and dismissed suggestions of frequent tensions along the inter-state border. “I don’t think there are frequent frictions. Everything is settled smoothly. Everything is smooth,” he said.
On the pending boundary dispute between the two neighbouring states, Sarma said both governments remain in constant communication and continue to address issues through dialogue. “I keep meeting the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, so the channel of discussion is always open. We keep on meeting, and whenever something happens, we resolve it immediately in the spirit of friendship,” he said.
Expressing his admiration for Meghalaya and its rich cultural heritage, Sarma said he hopes to return to witness the festival again in the future. “I will come again and I will also join the festival,” he remarked in a lighter vein, adding, “Next time, I will definitely jump into the pond.”
Sarma attended the grand finale of the four-day Behdeiñkhlam festival at the sacred Aitnar pool, where thousands of devotees, tourists and visitors gathered to witness the traditional rituals marking the culmination of one of the Pnar community’s most significant indigenous religious festivals.
