Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the Bagurumba Dwhou 2026, a historic cultural event celebrating the rich heritage of the Bodo community at Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister remarked that it has been his privilege to witness Assam’s culture and closely observe the traditions of the Bodo community. Highlighting that no Prime Minister has visited Assam as frequently as he has, Shri Modi emphasised his constant wish that Assam’s art and culture receive a larger platform and gain recognition across the nation and the world through grand celebrations. He noted that continuous efforts have been made in this direction, citing large-scale Bihu festivities, the expression of Jhumoir Binondini, the grand Bodo Mahotsav held in New Delhi one and a quarter years ago, and other cultural programs. The Prime Minister underlined that he never misses an opportunity to experience the unique joy of Assam’s art and culture. He stated that once again, the Bagurumba festival is being organized, describing it as a vibrant celebration of Bodo identity and a tribute to Assam’s heritage. Shri Modi extended his best wishes and congratulations to all those associated with the event, especially the artists.
Prime Minister stated that Bagurumba Dwhou is not merely a festival but a medium to honor the great Bodo tradition and to remember the eminent personalities of the Bodo society. He recalled names such as Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma, Rupnath Brahma, Satish Chandra Basumatary, Moradam Brahma, and Kanakeswar Narzary, noting their contributions to social reform, cultural renaissance, and political awakening. The Prime Minister paid respectful tribute to all such great figures of the Bodo community. He emphasized that their party considers Assam’s culture as the pride of the entire nation, and that India’s history is incomplete without Assam’s past and heritage. Shri Modi highlighted that under their government, grand festivals like Bagurumba Dwhou are organized, Bihu has been given national recognition, and efforts have led to Charaideo Moidam being included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. He remarked that the Assamese language has been accorded classical status, and the Bodo language has been recognized as an associate official language of Assam, with a separate directorate established to strengthen education in Bodo. PM Modi underlined that due to this commitment, Bathou Dharma has been accorded full respect and recognition, and Bathou Puja has been declared a state holiday. He pointed out that it is under their government that a grand statue of warrior Lachit Borphukan has been installed and the statue of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma unveiled. He added that the traditions of devotion and social harmony of Srimanta Sankardeva and the art and consciousness of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala are honored as part of Assam’s heritage. The Prime Minister noted that it is Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’s death anniversary today and offered his tribute.
Expressing his emotions on visiting Assam, Shri Modi said he feels deeply moved seeing how far the state has progressed. He recalled that there was a time when bloodshed was frequent, but today the colors of culture shine; a time when gunfire echoed, but now the melodious sounds of Kham and Sifung prevail; a time when curfew brought silence, but now music resonates; a time of unrest and instability, but now Bagurumba’s captivating performances are being held. PM Modi stressed that such a grand celebration is not only Assam’s achievement but India’s achievement, and every citizen of the country is proud of Assam’s transformation.
Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the people of Assam and his Bodo brothers and sisters placed their trust in him. He remarked that their governments at Union and state were entrusted with the responsibility of peace and development, and with the blessings of the people, that responsibility has been fulfilled. Shri Modi highlighted that the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord brought an end to decades of conflict, restored trust, and enabled thousands of youth to abandon violence and join the mainstream. He noted that after the accord, new opportunities in education and development emerged in the Bodo region, and peace became a part of everyday life, with the people’s efforts playing the most significant role.
Underlining that Assam’s peace, development, and pride center around its youth, who have chosen the path of peace, Shri Modi emphasised that it must be carried forward to a bright future. He stated that since the peace accord, the government has been continuously working for the development of Bodoland, accelerating the rehabilitation process, and providing thousands of youth with crores of rupees in financial assistance to help them begin anew.
Emphasising that the results of their government’s efforts are visible today, Prime Minister highlighted that talented Bodo youth becoming cultural ambassadors of Assam, excelling in sports, dreaming with new confidence, fulfilling those dreams, and driving Assam’s progress.
Shri Modi remarked that whenever Assam’s art, culture, and identity are honored, some people feel troubled. Asking who does not appreciate Assam’s honor, Shri Modi pointed out that it was the Opposition party that opposed conferring the Bharat Ratna on Bhupen Hazarika, and it was they who opposed the semiconductor unit in Assam. Shri Modi added that even today, when he wears something connected to Assam’s culture, it is the opposition that mocks it.
PM Modi asserted that Assam and Bodoland remained cut off from the mainstream for decades due to opposition alone. He said they created instability in Assam for its political gains and pushed the state into the fire of violence. He recalled that after independence, Assam faced challenges, but instead of finding solutions, the then ruling dispensation exploited those problems for political benefit. Criticising the opposition party, Shri Modi stressed that when trust was needed, they sowed division; when dialogue was needed, they neglected it and closed the doors of communication. He highlighted that the voice of Bodoland was never properly heard. He stated that when Assam needed healing and service, they instead opened the doors for infiltrators and focused on welcoming them.
Shri Modi asserted that the opposition party does not consider the people of Assam its own, preferring foreign infiltrators who become its loyal vote bank. He remarked that under the opposition’s rule, infiltrators kept coming, occupied lakhs of bighas of land, and were aided by governments. PM Modi expressed happiness that today, under the leadership of Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, the government is freeing lakhs of bighas of land from infiltrators and restoring it to the rightful people of Assam. He highlighted that the opposition always looked at Assam and the entire Northeast with neglect, never considering its development important, and deliberately pushed the region into difficulties.
The Prime Minister emphasized that cleaning up the sins of opposition is being done by their governments at Union and state, and the pace of development visible today is proof. He noted the formation of the Bodo-Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council, the allocation of a special development package of ₹1500 crore for Bodoland, the establishment of a medical college and hospital in Kokrajhar, and the acceleration of construction of a medical college in Tamulpur. He added that nursing colleges and paramedical institutions are creating new opportunities for youth, while polytechnic and training institutes have been set up in Gobardhana, Parbatjhora, and Horisinga.
Shri Modi underlined that a separate Welfare Department and Bodoland Administrative Staff College have also been established, enabling better policy-making for the welfare of the Bodo community. He remarked that their government has bridged distances—between hearts, between Assam and Delhi, and within Assam itself through improved infrastructure. Areas once difficult to reach now have highways, and new roads are opening opportunities. He cited the Bishmuri-Saralpara road project connecting Kokrajhar to the Bhutan border, with crores allocated, and the proposed Kokrajhar–Gelephu rail project, declared a special railway project and made part of the Act East Policy, which will boost trade and tourism.
The Prime Minister stressed that when society remains connected to its roots, when dialogue and trust are strong, and when equal opportunities reach all sections, positive change becomes visible. He said Assam and Bodoland are progressing in this direction, with Assam’s confidence, capability, and progress adding new strength to India’s growth story. PM Modi highlighted that Assam is establishing itself among the fastest-growing states, its economy gaining momentum, and Bodoland and its people playing a crucial role in this transformation. He once again extended his best wishes to all for the day’s grand celebration.
Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Shri Pabitra Margherita were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
Prime Minister participated in “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026”, a historic cultural event celebrating the rich heritage of the Bodo community at Sarusajai stadium, Guwahati.
On this occasion, more than 10,000 artists from the Bodo community performed Bagurumba dance in a single, synchronised presentation. Artists from 81 Legislative Assembly Constituencies from across 23 districts of the state will take part in the event
Bagurumba is one of the folk dances of the Bodo community, deeply inspired by nature. The dance symbolises blooming flowers and reflects harmony between human life and the natural world. Traditionally performed by young Bodo women, with men accompanying as musicians, the dance features gentle, flowing movements that imitate butterflies, birds, leaves and flowers. Performances are usually organised in groups, forming circles or lines that enhance its visual elegance.
Bagurumba dance holds deep cultural significance for the Bodo people. It represents peace, fertility, joy and collective harmony, and is closely associated with festivals such as Bwisagu, the Bodo New Year, and Domasi.
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Bagurumba Dwhou honours our great Bodo traditions. pic.twitter.com/OUDOLIR7Zh
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2026
The 2020 Bodo Peace Accord ended years of conflict.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2026
After this, trust returned and thousands of youths gave up violence and joined the mainstream. pic.twitter.com/6rKkj45YO2
Talented Bodo youth are today emerging as cultural ambassadors of Assam. pic.twitter.com/7JQYrVYkwK
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2026
With Assam's growing confidence, strength and progress, India's growth story is accelerating. pic.twitter.com/GxDNvBeAsb
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 17, 2026
