Noted scholars and cultural delegates from more than six foreign countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Lao will attend two-day Me-Dam-Me-Phi, a festival of the Tai Ahom community in Guwahati which will begin on January 30, 2018.
Informing this during the ‘lai khuta’ installation ceremony for the event here on Tuesday, Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha president Dr Dayananda Borgohain said, “International delegates from South-east Asian nations will grace the two-day Me-Dam-Me-Phi event to be held from January 30.”
He also said, “This cultural exchange among nations will help in strengthening our relations in line with the Act East policy. There will be delegates from more than six countries.”
Lakshya Konwar, general Secretary of the organizing committee said, “So far, noted scholars and cultural delegates from Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos have confirmed their presence in the event.”
The ‘lai khuta’ for the event was installed on Tuesday by Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley.
Speaking on the occasion, Doley said, “Last year, we included the Me-Dam-Me-Phi celebrations in the annual calendar of the Assam Government’s Cultural Affairs Department.”
The event is being organised by Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha under the aegis of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam.
He also informed that in the event special focus will be given on the cultural and religious rituals as a tribute to the ancestors of the Ahom community. There will be certain subject-oriented discussions also, he further said.
Me-Dam-Me-Phi event in the city will aim at providing a platform to share cultural knowledge and cross-boundary understandings. Along with the cultural ritual of offerings to the ancestors, there will be over thirty cultural events.
Ambassador of Laos to India, Southam Sakonhninhom will be present on January 31 to officially release the souvenir during the event.
Assam Veterinary Minister Hiranya Konwar and Pankaj Pathak, PSC member, Railway Board of India were also present at the ‘lai khuta’ installation ceremony at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.