Silchar: Assam’s Minister for Industries, Commerce and Cultural Affairs, Bimal Borah, on Sunday said that language should never be a barrier to unity, stressing that Assam’s true strength lies in its shared cultural heritage.

He was addressing a packed audience at Banga Bhawan, Silchar, during a grand felicitation ceremony organised by the Cachar District Administration to honour 331 Jhumoir artists and master trainers from Barak Valley under the Jhumoir Binandini scheme.

Speaking as the Chief Guest, Borah praised the artists for their contribution to Assam’s cultural identity, calling them “the heartbeat of Assam’s cultural revival.”

He announced that each of the 331 artists from Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj would receive Rs 25,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as part of the scheme, which was launched to mark 200 years of Assam’s tea culture.

“For the first time since Independence, the Government of Assam has truly highlighted the cultural identity of the tea tribes,” Borah said. “Under Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership, a cultural renaissance is unfolding in our tea gardens—one that celebrates inclusion, dignity, and pride.”

The Minister underscored that Assam’s diversity is its greatest strength, and cultural expression must bring people together. Drawing parallels between the Dhamail and Jhumoir dance traditions, he described them as “twin reflections of shared heritage” uniting the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys.

Borah also revealed that the government plans to hold a Dhamail Festival soon in collaboration with local communities to further strengthen cultural ties.

Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Mines and Minerals, and Barak Valley Development Department, Kaushik Rai, who also attended the event, hailed Jhumoir Binandini as a “cultural movement” that honours the tea garden communities of Assam. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appreciation of the Jhumoir performance during the Guwahati mega event earlier this year, calling it “a soulful portrayal of Assam’s unity in diversity.”

Rai added that the Chief Minister’s efforts have elevated Assam’s tea heritage to the global stage, noting the presence of Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and delegates from over 50 countries at the Guwahati event.

In his welcome address, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Mridul Yadav described the felicitation as “a historic moment of cultural pride” for Barak Valley. He recalled the February 24 mega Jhumoir event at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, where over 8,000 artists performed before the Prime Minister, calling it “a living sea of culture.”

“Today, from Banga Bhawan, we see that same glow reflected in the eyes of our artists,” Yadav said, adding that the Jhumoir Binandini initiative has revived Assam’s folk traditions and placed them firmly on the national cultural map.

The ceremony also featured speeches by members of the organising committee, a master trainer, and a female artist who expressed gratitude for the government’s recognition. Certificates of participation were distributed, and the live DBT transfer of the remuneration was carried out, marking what officials described as a symbol of transparency and respect for grassroots artistry.

Distinguished guests at the programme included Dholai MLA Nihar Ranjan Das, Cachar Zilla Parishad President Kankan Narayan Sikidar, and Director of Cultural Affairs Rahul Chandra Das, ACS.

The event concluded with a screening of the Jhumoir Binandini performance that had earlier captivated audiences nationwide during the February 24 celebration of Assam’s 200 years of tea culture.

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