Ahead of Diwali people throng markets in Guwahati

Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 24 (ANI): Ahead of Diwali festivities, the earthen pots and oil lamp market in Guwahati has been decked up for the occasion. People have thronged to the market to buy oil lamps (diyas) to celebrate the festival of lights and Kali Puja.

Dilip Das, a trader, said that they have carried different types of diyas to the market in Guwahati from various parts of Assam including Goalpara, Nagarbera, Sonapur.

"The prices of diyas have increased this year compared to the previous year. We are hoping that, selling will be high in coming days," Das said.

Nabarun Dutta, a customer, said that it is our cultural tradition that, we have enlightened diyas during diwali.

"There are many lights items which are now available in markets. But we should be lighting diyas as it is our culture and help our potters," Nabarun Dutta said.
Meanwhile on Wedenesday Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted scenes from the Lakshmi Puja festivities at the Bijni Lakshmi Mandir.
"Ecstatic scenes from Bijni Lakshmi Mandir. I had the privilege to dedicate the redeveloped temple complex to the people during Puja festivities. The Mela, celebrated alongside the Lakshmi Puja festivities, draws huge crowds. This is a fine template of our rich heritage," he posted on X.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Biswa Sarma on Sunday launched Mission Basundhara 3.0 at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalashetra in Guwahati. He said that the mission Basundhara is intended to grant land rights to the indigenous people of the state. Sarma had also launched Chief Minister's Atamnirbhar Asom Abhijan (CMAAA) while addressing a function at Lok Sewa Bhawan in the state's capital.

Under CMAAA 1.0, the state government distributed Rs.510 crores to 25,238 budding entrepreneurs. CMAAA 2.0 is an extension of the same scheme, designed to further boost entrepreneurship in Assam, with 75,000 beneficiaries ready to be selected. Under this scheme, the beneficiaries will receive Rs. 5 lakhs for the professional course category and Rs. 2 lakhs for the non-professional course category which will be distributed in two instalments. (ANI)