New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 1st Bodoland Mohotsav on November 15, 2024, a two-day mega event celebrating language, literature, and culture to sustain peace and build a vibrant Bodo society.
 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister extended greetings on the occasions of Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepavali, and the 555th Prakash Parva of Guru Nanak Dev. He also marked the celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Modi expressed his happiness in inaugurating the festival, congratulating the Bodo community from across the country who had come together to celebrate a new era of prosperity, culture, and peace.
 

The Prime Minister described the event as an emotional moment, highlighting its significance in marking the end of 50 years of violence. He lauded the Bodo people for their resilience and for choosing the path of peace, leading to Bodoland’s first festival of unity. Recalling his visit to Kokrajhar after the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord, Modi spoke about the warmth and love he experienced during that visit and expressed satisfaction at seeing the progress and development in Bodoland since then. He noted that the accord had not only brought peace but also laid a strong foundation for the region's bright future.
 

Modi highlighted the transformation brought by the Bodo Peace Accord, noting that over 10,000 youths in Assam had given up weapons and returned to the mainstream. He said the accord had paved the way for other agreements, including the Karbi Anglong Accord, the Bru-Reang Accord, and the NLFT-Tripura Accord. The mutual trust between the people and the government had fostered rapid development in the region. He added that the central government had allocated a special package of Rs 1,500 crore for Bodoland, while the Assam government had provided additional development packages.
 

The Prime Minister highlighted key initiatives undertaken in the region, such as rehabilitating more than 4,000 former cadres of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, providing jobs in the Assam Police, and granting financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to families affected by the conflict. He also noted that Rs 700 crore had been spent on developing infrastructure related to education, health, and culture in Bodoland.

Modi emphasised the importance of skill development and employment opportunities for youth and women in the region. He highlighted the SEED Mission, focusing on skilling, entrepreneurship, employment, and development, and noted the transformation of former gun-wielding youths into achievers in sports. He referred to the hosting of two editions of the Durand Cup in Kokrajhar, which included teams from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, as historic milestones.
 

The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts to preserve and promote Bodo literature and language, mentioning the continuous hosting of the Bodoland Literary Festival and the 73rd foundation day of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha. He also lauded the cultural heritage showcased at the Mohotsav, including products like Dokhona, Gamsa, and Jau Gishi, which have received Geographical Indication tags. He highlighted initiatives such as the Bodoland Sericulture Mission and the Bodoland Handloom Mission, which promote the region's traditional weaving culture.
 

Speaking about tourism, Modi said Bodoland was a key strength of Assam’s tourism sector. He mentioned that areas like Manas National Park, Raimona National Park, and Sikhna Jhalao National Park, once hideouts during conflict, were now becoming hubs of employment and youth engagement through tourism.
 

The Prime Minister paid tribute to leaders like Upendra Nath Brahma and Kalicharan Brahma, acknowledging their contributions to the Bodo community's progress. He also praised prominent figures like Harishankar Brahma, former Chief Election Commissioner, and Ranjit Shekhar Mushahary, former Governor of Meghalaya, for inspiring the younger generation.
 

Modi reiterated that the entire Northeast, including Assam, is a significant contributor to India’s development and referred to it as the Ashtalakshmi of the nation. He noted that the government had been working relentlessly to ensure permanent peace in the region, resolving border disputes between northeastern states.
 

He concluded by highlighting the progress made in Assam’s health infrastructure, citing the establishment of institutions like Guwahati AIIMS and medical colleges in Kokrajhar, Nalbari, and Nagaon. He also mentioned plans for 12 new medical colleges in the state, which would open more opportunities for the youth.
 

The two-day Bodoland Mohotsav aims to integrate the indigenous Bodo community from Bodoland, Assam, and neighbouring areas, with the theme of “Peace and Harmony for Prosperous Bharat.” It celebrates the cultural and linguistic richness of Bodoland while promoting tourism and fostering dialogue on education and development.


BI Bureau