Bihu fervour grips city hit by terror attacks

GUWAHATI: The city once again proved that life has to go on and in spite of all odds the festive spirit has taken over. As shoppers crowd markets and malls, the business community heaved a sigh of relief and geared up for Bihu.
"This is our biggest festival, even if we feel bad for what has been happening in the state for the past few months, still we have to celebrate Bihu.We have to abide by certain traditions," says Meeramoni Talukdar, a housewife, who bought almost two trolley-full of groceries for Bihu festival at a departmental store here. "I will have my brother-in-law's and sister-in-law's family as well for the Bihu feast so with all those kids around I have to have plenty on the table," says Meera.
On the other hand, shop-owners are gearing up for the Bihu demands by ordering more supply this week. "Usually Chana Daal, Moong Daal and Matimmaah along with certain varieties of rice and turmeric are most in demand," explains a shop-owner. While self-help groups flood the market with varieties of peethas and ladoos for the Bihu shoppers, entrepreneurs from different parts of the state come over to the capital city with traditional items to participate in the annual NEDfi Haat, Pre Bihu Mela.
"There are certain items not easily available in the cities so we come here every year during Bihu from Upper Assam with Bihu-related perishable goods," explains Hemanti Buragohain from Tinsukia district's Laipuli Morankari village. Hemanti and her family collect produce from 10 families in the village and come and sell it here. "We have Hurum, Peethaguri, Khandaguri, Maah Haladhi, Bora Seera and Malbhug Seera and Kumal Saul and are selling quite well," informs Hemanti.
Sikha Devi, a housewife, has put up a small stall in the Aambari area of the city to sell some special Bihu publications including Bihu magazines and religious books. "No matter what, people come looking for the new Bihu publications as all want to read good stuff during the festival holidays," she says. On the other hand, village entrepreneurs like Anima Saharia from Mangaldoi and Khairur Hussain from Sualkuchi are doing well with their collection of Gamucha.
"I get my Gamuchas from village weavers in Haloi Gaon at Bamundi. I sell them in the city and go back and share the earnings with the weavers," explains Hussain. The staff at Artfed is also enthusiastic about Bihu as they sell thousands of Gamuchas in the last two three days.
"At this particular outlet we had brought 40,000 Gamuchas out of which we have already sold 70 per cent," says Gopesh Pathak, assistant branch manager, Artfed.