Flower festival in rural Assam attracts more than 10,000 visitors

Guwahati: A two-day 'flower carnival' at Jugibari Rural Tourism Centre, Naragaon has drawn more than 10,000 visitors.
On New Year's Day, rural Khumtai in eastern Assam was ablaze with colour. The flowers compete for attention and buyers at a special carnival in this part of Golaghat district, with dahlias, bougainvillaeas, roses, tuberoses, and many more varieties.

"Flowers flourish in every household here. We want to make people aware that these can also be a source of income" Mrinal Saikia, MLA from Khumtai, stated. He said that preparations began nearly four months ago so that locals would have enough time to participate.

"We had 34 stalls, all of which were reserved months in advance, said a local youth associated with the carnival.

Over the two days, he said, more than 10,000 people attended the carnival, and saplings worth nearly ten lakh rupees were sold. Renu Saikia said the carnival has enabled her to make a living from what was till now a "mere hobby". Munmi Konwar, who heads the 20-member women's group that runs the tourism centre, said locals used to sell flowers to park visitors from their homes. "They didn't make a lot of money back then. However, this carnival has taken on a distinct form. "The majority of the stalls are run by locals," she stated.

"Jugibari was already a popular tourist destination, known for its Jugibeel, which attracts many migratory birds. We are attempting to provide a common platform for locals to benefit from through the carnival "Saikia elaborated.

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