Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal conferredthe Bishnu Rabha Award 2019 to noted dance exponent Kumari Laitonjam EbampisokDevi and eminent mask artisan Reba Kanta Mahanta at the Bishnu Rabha Divasprogramme organised by Cultural Directorate and Rabha Hasong Autonomous Councilat Rangjuli, Goalpara on Thursday.

Sonowal also felicitated eight eminent persons for their contribution to arts, literature, culture, sports etc at the programme.  

The Chief Minister said that Kalaguru BishnuRabha shaped the greater Assamese identity and worked tirelessly to establishAssamese culture at the world stage. His creations reflected folk culture andtraditions of diverse ethnic groups of the state and he cemented the bondbetween these diverse groups while enriching the Assamese cultural landscape.

Remarking that only through awakening theartistic instincts within oneself could lead a person to attain a trulypeaceful life, Sonowal said that Bishnu Rabha propagated a humanistic outlookof living much like Srimanta Sankardev and young generation must be made awareabout the teachings of these great personalities by teachers and parents toestablish a society based on human values.

Calling for unity among all sections of peoplein the state, Sonowal urged the young generation to herald a new era of peaceand development following the ideals of Bishnu Rabha and make Assam one of thebest states in the country by working cohesively to achieve rapid economicdevelopment.